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Board readies budget presentation; finance committee flags potential $430,000 excess-cost increase
Summary
Board members discussed a proposed 4.95% budget increase the board will present on March 11, staffing changes in district administration, and finance-committee items including the current budget status and a possible $430,000 increase in excess-cost reimbursement.
District officials told the board that the superintendent’s proposed budget for the 2025–26 school year will be presented to the board on March 11, with a board-approved budget required for transmission to the town by March 15 under charter timelines.
Board discussion at the meeting referenced a target increase reached during budget workshops of 4.95%. One board member said the figure “does a lot of the things that we need” but conceded it “doesn't do everything” the district requests. The board member said the board expects to present the budget to the town council on March 17 and that a public budget hearing is scheduled for April 21 at 7:00 p.m.
During communications, a speaker identified as Emmett reported personnel changes: the district’s director of human resources, Trent Donahue, left for private industry; the district IT supervisor Jeff Telke will depart to Bristol Public Schools; and Patrick Cohn will remain principal at Hamner after earlier departure reports. The district also has a principal opening at Charles Wright after a retirement; Emmett said more than 40 applicants have applied for that role.
The finance and operations committee reported the current-year budget is approximately $64,900,000 and was about $60,000 under budget at the time of the committee’s review. The committee also said a possible increase in state excess-cost reimbursement could add about $430,000 to the district’s finances; speakers cautioned the funds carry restrictions and could be needed to cover costly special-education placements, so the committee recommended holding the funds until year end.
Board members and committee speakers discussed program and staffing priorities that might be included in the proposed budget, including elementary-school security staff, three math interventionists, pre-K and speech support, a special-education teacher at Silas Deane Middle School, and converting one high-school social-worker position currently funded by grant money into the operating budget. A board member said timing and fiscal constraints mean some positions might be deferred.
No formal budget vote was taken at the meeting. The board directed staff to move forward with the March 11 presentation and noted that the town council may accept or reduce the board-approved budget once transmitted.
