Superintendent proposes 6.86% spending increase for Newington schools, cites contracts and state mandates

Dr. Brummett, superintendent of the Newington School District, presented the district—s proposed 2025-26 operating budget at the Feb. 10 Board of Education meeting, asking the board to consider a 6.86% increase driven largely by settled contracts and state mandates.

Dr. Brummett said, "My goals for the budget are to continue our current programs," and emphasized that much of the proposed increase reflects contractual obligations, special-education costs and new or clarified state requirements rather than new programs.

The administration detailed the principal cost drivers: approximately $2.3 million attributable to settled collective-bargaining agreements; rising special-education costs that the superintendent described as approaching 2% of the budget; health insurance increases of about 1.2%; and other operating increases (utilities, repairs and curricular supplies) of…