Darien board adopts $125.76 million FY2026 operating budget after hours of debate over paras, software and intramurals

The Darien Board of Education on Feb. 11 approved a $125,760,223 operating budget for fiscal year 2026 — a 4.92% increase — and a $1,139,150 capital budget after a two-hour public and board discussion that centered on paraprofessional staffing, after-school intramurals, consultant contracts and scheduled cuts to instructional software.

Why it matters: The adopted operating budget funds curriculum work, special education staffing, additional school mental-health and security personnel and continued facility planning while exceeding the Board of Finance guideline that some town groups had sought. Voters and the Representative Town Meeting will see the adopted BOE budget as it moves through the town approval process.

Board chair opening remarks framed the night as a budget decision about “the dollars that support our students” and described projected multi-year cost pressures, including contractual settlements and special-education cost volatility. Superintendent Dr. Douglas Adley reviewed line items and the district’s longer-term capital needs before the board and public comment periods began.

Public comment and administration presentations Several district principals, administrators and parents urged the board to preserve existing positions and programs. Paula Blakely, Holmes Elementary principal and co‑president of the Darien Administrator…