Darien Board reviews Fiscal 27 budget; leaders propose self‑insurance and phased switch to propane buses

The Darien Board of Education discussed the superintendent's proposed Fiscal 27 operations and capital budgets on Jan. 27, focusing on a recommendation to move district medical coverage to a self‑insured model, technology replacements and subscriptions for classroom AI tools, and a phased transition of the bus fleet to propane to comply with the Connecticut Clean Air Act.

Dr. Byrne introduced the meeting and outlined the budget schedule, including a formal public hearing at 7 p.m. on Feb. 3 and a board vote on the superintendent's proposed budget on Feb. 5. Finance presenter Richard Bridal summarized the operations budget, saying the package includes six areas (facilities, technology, central administration, summer school, fixed costs and safety/security) and amounts to roughly a $1.8 million increase driven largely by technology, a requested public information coordinator, and health insurance increases.

On insurance, Bridal explained the district is proposing to shift from a fully insured medical plan to a self‑insured model in which the district would “hold that risk” and pay claims directly, with a third‑party administrator processing claims. “We are essentially on the hook for the first…