Newington Board adopts $93.06 million budget, approves $292,245 in targeted cuts

The Newington Board of Education on Wednesday adopted the superintendent's proposed $93,063,003.71 operating budget for 2025'26, approving the measure by a 6'2 vote after a two-hour review and a series of smaller votes trimming the plan by $292,245.

Why it matters: The adopted budget would be transmitted to the town. Board members said the measure balances contract obligations, rising special education costs and rising benefits while attempting to limit the net tax impact. Several members urged continued review before the town council receives the figures.

Board discussion centered on several high-cost items that drive the budget''special education outplacements, the district's Open Choice allocation, grant revenues and the Chromebook damage/replacement reserve. School and central office staff provided a line-by-line update in response to questions raised at earlier workshops and offered possible, optional reductions the board could adopt to lower the overall request.

Key figures staff and board presented to support the budget: special-education private tuition and outplacement obligations total roughly $5.3 million for 37 outplaced students, with outplacement costs ranging from about $60,000 to as much as $250,000 per student; the district projects an "excess cost" grant reimbursement of about $1.2 million for the coming year (subject to state action); Open Choice currently was budgeted at $8,000 per student but could…