Darien budget debate centers on proposed cuts to paraprofessionals and department chairs

The Darien Board of Education spent the bulk of a regular meeting reviewing proposed modifications to the fiscal year 2026 operating budget and hearing prolonged public comment urging the board to preserve instructional paraprofessionals, department chairs and other student-facing staff.

Board chair remarks and superintendent Alan Adley framed the evening as a high-level review of potential adjustments after the Board of Finance issued guidance in the 3–4% range. Adley and finance staff presented updated forecasts that showed a districtwide operating shortfall driven largely by special-education costs and lower-than-expected state excess-cost reimbursement. The December financial report presented at the meeting forecast a district deficit of $192,122 and a special-education shortfall of $297,938; staff attributed about $287,000 of that shortfall to a lower-than-budgeted state reimbursement rate (just under 60% vs. the 70% assumption in the current budget).

Why it matters: The board must recommend an operating budget to the Board of Finance and the Representative Town Meeting; Darien public schools are a large share of town spending, and board members and the public debated whether to meet town guidance through non-classroom cuts, fees, or by asking the town for a larger allocation.

What the board discussed: Superintendent Adley presented a package of proposed adjustments intended to bring the district closer to local guidance while attempting to limit direct classroom impact. Components…