Farmington board adopts $86.86 million FY 2026'27 budget, forwards plan to town council
Summary
The Farmington Board of Education voted to adopt a $86,858,554 FY 2026'27 budget (a $3,617,571, or 4.35%, increase) and will forward the adopted budget to the Farmington Town Council for final approval; the decision passed by voice vote following debate over staffing reductions and the rate of increase.
The Farmington Board of Education voted Monday to adopt the district's recommended FY 2026'27 budget of $86,858,554 and will forward the adopted plan to the Farmington Town Council for final appropriation.
The motion to recommend the budget was made by a board member (Speaker 4) and seconded by another member (Speaker 2). The mover described the proposal as a $3,617,571 increase — a 4.35% rise over the 2025'26 Board budget. After discussion the board approved the motion by voice vote; the transcript records the motion passing but does not provide a roll'call or numerical vote tally.
The adopted budget directs funding toward special education staffing, instructional and operational technology, and facility maintenance while acknowledging districtwide cost pressures, including healthcare and technology. A newly elected board member (Speaker 9) said the budget "strengthened key areas" but noted it includes a reduction of seven elementary teaching positions, "four of which are currently filled," tied to projected declining enrollment. Speaker 9 urged that any personnel impacts be managed through attrition or reassignment where possible.
One board member, Angela (Speaker 7), read a prepared statement opposing an increase above 3%: "I personally cannot, in good conscience, support an increase over 3% at this time," she said, citing the financial strain on local families and urging continued efforts to find efficiencies. Other board members praised the administration's transparency and the central office staff's work in producing the budget materials.
The board and administration discussed technical follow'up items from a prior Saturday workshop, including a planned cleanup of project-to-budget-code cross'references in the budget book and research into healthcare plan options. Staff reported outreach to a vendor (1Digital) and said the municipal employee health insurance program (MEHIP) would not apply because the district does not meet the program's size qualifications; comparisons will use the state partnership plan as a benchmark for assessing the district's self'insurance arrangements.
Board Chair (Speaker 1) closed debate, called for the vote and announced that the adopted FY 2026'27 Board budget will be transmitted to the town council for its consideration and final appropriations action. The transcript does not record a numerical roll call or the exact count of ayes, nays, and abstentions.
Next steps: the town council will review the board'recommended budget as part of the municipal budget process; the board encouraged attendance at upcoming town council budget workshops.
