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 discussed included: - Eliminating or reducing 15 instructional paraprofessional positions as a cost-savings option; administrators described student interns as a lower-cost partial replacement in some proposals. The superintendent said his preferred approach tried to minimize classroom impact, but several staff proposals and the public urged preserving paras. - Two alternative models for secondary instructional leadership: (a) collapsing multiple department-chair roles into two 6–12 director positions (math & science; English & social studies) plus teacher-leader stipends, estimated to save about $186,000; or (b) replacing department chairs with teacher-leader stipends and release time (a larger savings in the packet). Administrators warned each model carries operational and instructional tradeoffs. - Targeted reductions in central office professional development, curriculum-writing funds (a proposed $30,000 reduction), and certain consultant/periodical line items; the superintendent said curriculum writing is iterative and reductions would slow but not stop work. - Facilities and operations changes including deferring some capital/maintenance items (paving), reducing one HVAC technician (estimated savings cited at roughly $152,000) and delaying some technology refreshes. - A participation fee for athletics and some student clubs (options discussed included $50 or $100 per student and family caps); elimination of certain intramurals; modest increases in ELP (early learning program) tuition were also proposed as revenue adjustments.

Public comment and staff testimony: Dozens of parents, teachers, administrators and former staff spoke in person and online. Overwhelmingly, speakers urged the board not to cut paraprofessionals and to preserve department chairs and curriculum supports. Examples of public testimony included: - Parents and current students recounting daily reliance on instructional paraprofessionals for academic and safety supports and warning that replacing them with short-term interns would hurt students and increase long-term special-education costs. - School principals, the Darien Administrators Association co‑president (Scott McCarthy) and others described department chairs as instructional leaders who supervise teachers, coordinate curriculum across grades and support families — arguing cuts would reduce capacity to deliver and improve instruction. - Former paras, parents and alumni gave specific anecdotes about how paras support reading and classroom functioning and said losing experienced staff would degrade services and morale.

Financial actions already taken: While the broader budget discussion will continue through a public hearing on February 4 and a vote scheduled for February 11, the board approved a small set of transfers to cover identified shortfalls in the current fiscal year. Finance staff recommended two transfers: $46,000 to contracted services (for a contracted RBT) funded from salary savings and $10,632 for ELP tuition (funded from substitute/building-savings and a vacant paraprofessional line). The board adopted those transfers in a unanimous roll-call vote.

Board process and next steps: Board members repeatedly said they are trying to balance competing priorities—protecting student-facing services while responding to town-level tax guidance. Members asked for additional detail on many line items (HVAC staffing, curriculum-writing tasks, consultant contracts, software subscriptions and the tradeoffs between central vs. school-level cuts). The board will refine options and is expected to present a proposed operating budget and formal recommendation at its February meetings before the Board of Finance and RTM consider appropriations.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes (special and regular minutes dated 01/14/2025 and special meeting 01/21/2025): motion by Joanna, seconded by Dennis — unanimous approval. - Acceptance of contemplated athletic gift (Blue Wave Booster Club donation of a flagpole light kit to illuminate the stadium flag): motion by Dave, seconded by Dennis — unanimous approval. - Approval of November/December budget transfers (two transfers totaling $56,632): motion by John, seconded by Greg — unanimous approval.

Outlook: Board members said they will continue to gather more granular information (on staffing models, curriculum-writing timelines, building maintenance timing and contract terms) so they can present a defensible budget recommendation to the Board of Finance and to the public in advance of the February public hearing.