Southington schools propose $123.6 million budget, citing rising salary, insurance and transportation costs

Superintendent Madanci presented the Southington School District—s proposed fiscal-year budget of $123,614,448 to the Board of Education, saying the figure represents a 6.6% increase over the current year.

The proposal, Madanci said, reflects "a deep sense of responsibility and collaboration" and responds to higher-than-usual salary increases in recent collective bargaining agreements, rising health insurance premiums and the cost of a new transportation contract. He told the board the district had also lost one-time federal pandemic relief dollars: "The ARP ESSER funds are completely exhausted, as of this past December," he said.

Why it matters: The spending plan would affect the town—s tax request and district operations. The budget prioritizes maintaining core programs while balancing new contractual obligations and one-time equipment and project needs.

Key budget drivers and changes

- Salaries and benefits: Madanci said salaries and benefits remain the district's largest cost drivers. The proposed budget reflects recent teacher, nurse, secretary and food-service contract settlements. The superintendent said some negotiated increases addressed prior compression compared with neighboring districts.

- Health insurance: The administration used a conservative assumption in the budget; staff later reduced the health-insurance line by $150,000 as they monitor claims. The self-insurance committee will review updated claims data before final figures are set.

- Transportation: The budget includes costs for a new district transportation contract, special education routes and McKinney-Vento (students experiencing homelessness) transportation. The administration removed…