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Superintendent presents 2026–27 budget emphasizing paraprofessional benefits, special-education costs and $1.5M bus request
Summary
At a Feb. 4 joint meeting, district leaders outlined a proposed 2026–27 operating budget that preserves programs, absorbs a formerly grant-funded high-school mental-health counselor, requests funding for paraprofessional benefits, and asks the town for $1.5 million to smooth a bus-replacement 'bubble.' No final budget vote occurred; board and councilors asked for follow-up data.
Superintendent (unnamed in the transcript) presented the Newington Public Schools proposed 2026–27 operating budget at a joint meeting with the Town Council on Feb. 4, saying the plan preserves current programs while responding to rising contractual and special-education costs.
The presentation moved forward on the agenda after the board voted to amend the agenda. The superintendent said a previously grant-funded high-school mental-health counselor will move into the operating budget after the grant expired; she credited the position with reducing expulsions for drugs from 17 to roughly one or two per year since the counseling program began.
Why it matters: district leaders said special-education costs have increased dramatically and are a primary driver of the budget. The superintendent said special-ed expenditures have risen about 77% since 2018 and that outplacements — sending students to specialized schools — can cost over $100,000 per…
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