Southington Board of Education adopts $123.6 million 2025–26 operating budget, 6.6% increase

The Southington Board of Education unanimously approved its 2025–26 operating budget on a roll-call vote, adopting an operating budget of $123,614,448 — a 6.6% increase from the previous year.

Superintendent Steve Medina told the board the district held the meeting in part to wait for the governor’s proposed budget and to check for any unexpected changes. "While I wish there was more relief in the budget, it's important to note today's essentially the first day of the real legislative session," Medina said, adding that the governor’s proposal did not include any "large unfunded mandate" that would force immediate changes to the local plan.

Board members said the adopted plan aims to maintain services while acknowledging state funding uncertainty, especially for special education. "We won't know until after our budget process if there's any legislation in there that is gonna come to fruition and offer us any relief," Medina said, describing ongoing efforts at the state level to amend the Education Cost Sharing formula and to address excess-cost reimbursement for special education.

The board heard several budget-detail updates during discussion. A motion read during the meeting stated: "Move to approve the Board of Education's operating budget for 25–26 in the amount of $123,614,448 for a budget increase of 6.6%." The motion was put to a roll call and passed 8–0 (one member joined after the vote). The roll call recorded yes votes from Dornovsky, Carmody, O'Shanna, Bijewski, Williams, Carson, Whitehead and Clark. Chair announced, "Motion passes 8 0."

Members pointed to the major cost drivers in the plan. One board member noted that salary, benefits and transportation together account for a significant portion of the budget and that health insurance was a principal factor: "We know that the health insurance is the highest driver of this entire budget. It rose 16% this year. $3,000,000 of that increase is solely off of health insurance alone," a board member said. The meeting record also notes a $7,200,000 figure identified as the combined amount for salaries, benefits and transportation.

Officials also discussed line items that changed during budget preparation: district staff reported locking in a lower oil-heat price that produced savings, and they said the district is forecasting an approximate 8% price increase from its trash-removal vendor if the contract is extended for a year while state legislation on organics recycling proceeds. "We reached out to our current vendor to obtain a price to extend our contract for 1 year...we're forecasting...about an 8% increase for the trash," a district staff member said.

Board members and the superintendent emphasized continuing advocacy at the state level for special-education funding. Medina said multiple bipartisan bills were introduced to address excess-cost reimbursement and that the governor’s budget includes a targeted proposal that would not provide immediate full relief for fiscal year 2026. "There were 17 different bills introduced by both Republicans and Democrats...and when 17 people in a bipartisan format are supporting legislation, there's a good chance that that'll get...addressed," Medina said. He also said the governor proposed a set of competitive and incentive grants for special education (described as $10 million and $4 million for capital), but noted those amounts would be competitive and not guaranteed.

Board members urged coordinated local advocacy with town officials and encouraged participation in public outreach. One member offered: "Bring us with you...to help explain why we need this budget, why a 6.6% budget increase is not excessive, and what it actually gives and what it doesn't give." The board also thanked administrators for preparing the budget and noted prior workshops had informed the final proposal.

The budget now proceeds to the town for inclusion in the municipal budget process and review by the board of finance; district officials said adjustments could be discussed if the state budget process yields reliable changes that affect the district's projected state aid.