Education staff displayed physical classroom materials and outlined why recurring consumable and subscription costs are included in the instructional budget.

Marlene, the instructional presenter, brought phonics readers, manipulatives, musical instruments and science kits to the board to illustrate items funded through instructional supplies. She said many consumables have short lifespans in high‑use classrooms and that some high‑school technical programs require specialty materials (lumber, metal stock, kiln replacements, owl‑pellet kits) whose prices have climbed.

Marlene also described recurring curriculum and platform costs — a math program bundle (including Zearn) that costs the district roughly $100,000 annually — and library replenishment and classroom library needs when new sections are opened.

On staffing, district presenters explained a request for five classroom teachers (five elementary hires) would keep elementary class ratios near the district’s target (from about 19 this year to a budgeted 18.7). Superintendent Doctor Harrigan and Emily, the budget presenter, said the hires reflect enrollment projections and are intended to maintain current class-size targets. Board members questioned trade‑offs between adding classroom teachers and central positions such as a STEM/math coordinator or assistant principals; administrators said they are prioritizing classroom needs but will continue discussion about phased hires.

The board heard about options for additional support from the Cheshire Education Foundation, which provided a $55,000 robotics commitment in the prior cycle, and about avenues for donations and targeted fundraising. Administrators reiterated that solicitations would be optional and not intended to shift core budget responsibilities onto families.

Board members will consider these instructional spending priorities as the budget process continues toward public informational meetings later in January.

Sources: Remarks by Marlene and Emily at the Cheshire School District budget meeting.