East Haven School District presents $59.3 million proposed budget, cites salaries, special education and medical as primary drivers

Erica, a district staff member presenting the budget, told the East Haven Board of Education that the district is proposing an operating budget totaling about $59.3 million for 2025–26.

“The team worked really, really hard to put together this this budget in a manner that is, comprehensible yet supportive of our district's needs,” Erica said, and described the budget as “deeply rooted and grounded” in the district’s belief statements and priorities.

District staff said three main drivers are raising costs: contractual salaries, special-education tuition and transportation for outplaced students, and medical insurance. RJ, a district staff member responsible for budget detail, summarized those drivers and the district’s approach to estimates, saying the contractual salaries line alone is a fixed obligation. “Same format as last year, our contractual salaries are $1,900,000,” RJ said, referring to the contractual-salary change presented in the budget package.

Why it matters: staff told the board the district’s medical reserve has been exhausted and that state reimbursement for special-education excess costs has become unpredictable, increasing risk to the local operating fund. In the presentation, staff said that the district’s medical reserve is “0” and that projected medical claims are significantly higher than in recent years.

Key figures and context provided in the presentation

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