Danbury Board of Education adopts superintendent’s proposed $194 million budget and cites staffing, new academy as primary drivers

The Danbury Board of Education voted to adopt the superintendent’s proposed 2025–26 budget and authorized submission of the plan to the mayor, following a board workshop and more than an hour of discussion.

The budget the board adopted was presented in the meeting motion as “in the amount of 194,000,460 5,964” and was described in presentation materials as a district request representing roughly a 21% increase over the prior year. The superintendent and staff told the board the increase is driven largely by opening a new academy campus at Danbury High School, restoration of previously eliminated positions, and contractual increases.

The budget matters because it sets staffing levels and operations for schools across the Danbury Public Schools system and must be transmitted to the mayor under the city charter. Board members pressed staff for line-item detail, lease costs for district facilities, and the timing of multiple union negotiations that will affect final personnel costs.

Superintendent Dr. Casimir opened the presentation by saying the workshop had provided board members a “high level overview” and a deeper dive into drivers. He told the board the largest single driver is the opening of the academy campus at Danbury High School West, which he said requires new staffing, benefits, and site operating costs. Dr. Casimir gave several itemized, approximate drivers: about $6,000,000 for staffing and benefits tied to the new campus; more than $700,000 for maintenance and utilities; roughly $2,200,000 for transportation; technology costs described as about $318,000; and school-lunch staffing of roughly $360,000. He said the academy-related items alone account for “over $10,000,000.”

Dr. Casimir characterized the proposal as a “means budget,” saying it attempts to restore essential positions after the district eliminated more than 68 roles in the prior year and that the request includes restoring about 29 of those positions. He emphasized paraprofessionals as a high-priority group, saying they provide targeted small-group and one-on-one support and that the district currently has “between 40 to 50 openings” for paraeducators that are affecting classroom conditions and recruitment.

Board members asked for clarifications during the discussion. Finance staff provided a leases summary: about six leased properties used for district offices, pre-K sites, adult education and curriculum space, with a combined annual lease cost of roughly $740,000. Staff also told the board that many non-certified, one-year contracts expire June 30 and that bargaining is expected to occur in mid-to-late spring, with some settlements finalized after July 1; those outcomes will change final personnel costs and may require retroactive pay adjustments.

Several board members and the superintendent discussed contingency planning if grant revenues or city contributions fall short. Dr. Casimir said the district must prioritize “safety, security, and highest-leverage needs” if full funding is not available. He also reported results from a parent survey (about 600 responses) identifying top priorities as student supports and extracurriculars, upgraded facilities and increased safety measures.

Votes at a glance: The board added an action item to the agenda to adopt the superintendent’s proposed budget, then voted to adopt the budget as presented; the board also approved the consent calendar and accepted the November–December financial reports during the same meeting. The motion to adopt the superintendent’s proposed 2025–26 budget was made by Louisa and seconded by Julie; the chair called for “aye” and declared the motion carried.

Looking ahead, staff told the board they will continue negotiations with multiple employee groups this spring and will return supplemental financial schedules requested by board members. The superintendent said he will continue monthly budget discussions with the mayor’s office as the city develops its own budget for the coming fiscal year.