Weston Board of Education members received a high‑level presentation on Jan. 5 of the proposed 2026–27 operating budget of $63,469,412, a $2,397,723 increase (3.92%), Superintendent Erica Forti said.

Forti framed the proposal around the district’s mission and listed four priority investment areas—safety and security, school culture and climate, academic excellence and investment in staff—saying the request is designed to sustain personalized learning even as enrollment shifts. "Empowering every student to achieve their highest potential remains one of the most essential elements of our district's mission," Forti said.

The presentation attributed most of the budget growth to personnel costs. Total salaries were shown at a little over $38,000,000, roughly 60% of the operating budget; combined with benefits, salaries account for about 80% of the proposed spending. The superintendent told the board the FY27 salary increase totals just over $1,500,000 and that health‑insurance premium growth is the single largest upward pressure on the budget.

"Nearly half of all new spending in each of the last two budgets is driven by health and insurance alone," Forti said, noting the district absorbed a 10% insurance increase this year and expects net district costs to rise by nearly $2,000,000 over two years. The presentation broke out recent change estimates: fiscal‑year net costs rose about $800,000 (10%) in 2026 and are expected to increase by more than $1,100,000 (about 14%) in 2027; employee cost‑sharing also rises, from just under $2,000,000 to over $2,200,000.

On enrollment, staff presented a 10/01/2025 snapshot and SLAM median projections for 2026–27. The slides showed a 52‑student difference across the district’s four schools and 13 grade levels; the district reported enrolling 70 preschool students for 2026–27 (above the SLAM projection), which the administration said reduces the projected net decline to roughly 34 students.

Staffing changes in the proposed budget are modest: an overall net increase of about 0.4 FTE, a net reduction of 1.2 FTE among certified staff (partly offset by adding a preschool classroom), and a 1.6 FTE increase in non‑certified staff to meet student needs, including a 1:1 paraeducator and a paraeducator for the new pre‑K classroom.

Programmatic and capital requests were also summarized. The operating proposal includes modest curriculum and instructional‑support spending while maintaining existing curriculum investments and CIL (curriculum and instruction leader) roles. The proposed capital budget is just over $2,600,000 and targets safety and security (a district radio upgrade), paving and turf replacement, flexible furniture, energy efficiency upgrades and roof work.

Technology plans include continuing a six‑year replacement cycle and replacing all staff laptops next year; Dan DeVito, director of digital learning and technology, said the district follows a five‑year replacement schedule for staff devices. The administration also noted a planned session with Brown & Brown consultants at the Jan. 15 workshop to discuss insurance cost drivers and answer board questions.

Forti closed by thanking principals, cabinet members and business office staff and outlined next steps: workshops beginning Jan. 6 (9 a.m.), a Jan. 15 workshop focused on insurance and other details, and a Google form for board members to submit questions so staff can prepare answers for the scheduled meetings. The board moved to adjourn after the presentation and the voice motion to adjourn was approved.