Board approves 2025-26 budget at 5.94% after series of offsets, fee increases and line-item cuts

The Newington Board of Education voted to transmit a $92,264,913 budget for 2025-26, a 5.94% increase, to the town manager after approving several targeted adjustments and offsets.

The board approved a $338,548 reduction in special education expense as an "excess cost legislative offset" to be used for buy-ahead costs. The motion to apply that offset was approved unanimously in the meeting record.

The board also voted to raise the student athletic participation fee from $100 to $115, a change the administration projected would yield an offset; the board recorded a motion to implement the increase and to subtract $11,400 and $615 from athletic program accounts to reflect the change.

Smaller line-item reductions also passed. The board approved a $2,100 reduction for central office "other supplies" and a $53,550 adjustment to employee-benefits projections; both motions carried and were recorded by the board as approved.

A motion to eliminate the chief position described in the budget as chief of strategy, innovation and equity (described in public discussion as a DEI-related role) and reallocate roughly $161,489 to teacher and paraeducator pay was brought to the table. After discussion the motion to remove that position failed in the roll-call as recorded in the meeting (motion did not pass).

The board set graduation for Newington High School as June 17, 2025; that motion passed unanimously.

At the end of the meeting the board voted to transmit the adopted budget to the town manager in the amount of $92,264,913 (5.94% increase). The motion to transmit passed 5–4 in the roll call recorded in the meeting minutes.

Board members, administrators and members of the public debated how much of the increase represented fixed costs (contractual salary and benefits) versus discretionary items. The superintendent and finance staff presented cost breakdowns including the Perkins federal grant for CTE (a $52,468 grant largely spent on consumables and stipends) and a multi-year analysis of the district's bus operation that staff said showed savings compared with contracted services in prior years.

Officials said the "excess cost" legislative offset carried some legislative risk until the bill is finalized and signed, but staff described the adopted figure as the best available estimate for planning.

The board chair and superintendent said the transmitted budget assumes use of some district reserve (lapsing) funds and may change as state actions or town decisions occur; board members repeatedly noted the transmitted figure is subject to change during the town's budget process.

Votes at a glance

- Excess cost legislative offset: motion to subtract $338,548 (for buy-aheads) — passed unanimously (recorded as unanimous).

- Student participation fee increase: motion to increase fee from $100 to $115 and subtract $11,400/$615 for athletics — motion approved (recorded in meeting actions).

- Central office other supplies: motion to subtract $2,100 — passed unanimously.

- Employee benefits adjustment: motion to subtract $53,550 — passed unanimously.

- Motion to eliminate chief of strategy/innovation/equity position and reallocate ~$161,489 — motion failed (did not pass in roll call).

- Motion to transmit the 2025-26 Board of Education budget of $92,264,913 (5.94%) to the town manager — passed by roll call 5–4.

Board members said the budget includes a mix of fixed contractual increases and recommended reductions; officials noted ongoing uncertainty about state legislation, expected contracted-service cost increases and potential town actions that could change the final figures.