Darien public hearing draws pleas to retain paraeducators, wellness center and avoid class‑size increases in proposed 2025–26 budget

The Darien Board of Education held a public hearing on the superintendent's proposed 2025–26 budget (date not specified), hearing more than a dozen speakers who urged the board to preserve classroom paraeducators, mental‑health programming and safety staffing rather than rely on cuts or increases in class size.

The public hearing focused on the size of the proposed budget and specific reductions that speakers said would harm students. "We support smaller class sizes that provide a better environment for all learners to thrive," said Crystal Hill, CVSP chair, speaking on behalf of school PTO representatives and the CDSP executive board. "We support the retention of instructional paraeducators in our elementary schools."

The hearing matters because board members will vote on a final budget next week; the board chair said the body is still reviewing additions and subtractions recommended by the administration and listening to public input. Several speakers argued that cuts to paraeducators and school mental‑health services would reduce instructional support and student safety.

Dr. Adley, the superintendent (title referenced during the hearing), presented the proposed budget and the administration's assessment of student needs; the board opened the hearing to public comment and limited its questions to clarifications after residents spoke. The board chair told the audience that the board does not intend to pursue class‑size increases for budgetary reasons and asked administration to model alternatives for paraprofessional staffing, including a dedicated substitute to cover absences so remaining paras can focus on instruction.

Parents and educators described具体 classroom effects they said would follow from proposed reductions. Arly Carr Harris, a first‑grade teacher at Tokeneke Elementary School, said instructional aides run multiple small groups, collect data and provide sensory breaks, and that removing that support would reduce targeted instruction. "Without the support for classroom teachers, less children will receive targeted instruction they need to grow as learners," she said. Kelly Scallon, co‑chair of the Darien High School Parent Association, warned that cutting the high school wellness center or campus monitors would "mean a less safe campus."

Speakers and the RTM education committee also raised procedural and fiscal points. Liza Lucas, chair of the RTM Education Committee, urged the board to seek funding above the board of finance guidance and noted that health insurance, special education and transportation have together grown to "about 42% of the budget," crowding out new initiatives. Curtis Butler, an RTM member, told the board it had community support to push back on the board of finance guidance of 3–4 percent if necessary.

One speaker, Elena Del Denduvan, challenged the process and cited state law: "As per the Connecticut General Statutes, Title 10, Chapter 170, the boards of education don't have any fiduciary responsibility with the town," and she raised concerns about potential Freedom of Information Act violations in how budget discussions were handled. (The transcript record supplied to the board included the referenced comments; the board did not take a formal vote on any FOIA claim during the hearing.)

Administrators and board members gave several clarifying figures during the hearing. The superintendent and board noted a current fiscal‑year deficit of about $287,000 and said the administration had already made reductions in response. Speakers referenced a reported $40,000,000 proposal from Governor Lamont to increase funding in a state education fund (referred to in the hearing as "ECR") that could affect local special‑education funding; the board said it is watching state proposals but did not adopt any budget changes at the hearing.

No final budget vote was taken at the hearing; the board chair said the vote is scheduled for next week. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, made by a board member identified in the record as John and seconded by Greg; the motion passed unanimously.

The board said it will continue internal deliberations, review administration scenarios for paraprofessional staffing and consider public testimony before the final vote.