Seymour board previews $43.29 million school budget, warns cuts if town lowers vote
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Summary
The Seymour Board of Education presented a $43,291,819 operating budget for 2026–27, citing salaries, benefits and rising special‑education costs as primary drivers. Board leaders warned that reductions below a 4.3% increase could force cuts to nurses, counselors and security staff and urged residents to attend the April 7 town meeting and vote April 21.
The Seymour Board of Education on Tuesday presented its $43,291,819 proposed operating budget for 2026–27 and warned that if the town reduces the approved figure the district could need to cut support services such as a floating nurse, school counselors and security staff.
Board Chair Kristen Bruno opened the meeting by summarizing the budget the board approved and its principles: "The budget that was voted on and approved by the Board of Education was for $43,291,819 that represented a 4.7% increase over this year's budget," she said, adding the district prioritized program quality, long‑term goals and operational efficiencies.
Why it matters: Seymour leaders said the bulk of spending—about 79%—covers salaries and benefits, and special‑education costs and health‑care inflation are the largest upward pressures. "At the time we voted on our budget... we were anticipating a 13.5% increase in health care costs. We have gotten some information back that... reduces that amount to 10%," Bruno said, noting the updated projection provides some savings.
Superintendent (name not stated) told residents the district is actively seeking ways to limit costly outplacements for special‑education students by collaborating with neighboring districts and ACES. "The kids that are out that are placed in out of district placement are their kids specified with their IEPs and that's why they're in such specialized schools," the superintendent said, describing in‑district transition supports and an inclusion facilitator used to reduce external placements.
Board and finance staff highlighted the long‑term trend of rising special‑education expenses. A district staff member who discussed cost history said statewide special‑education placements "roughly statewide runs about $26,000 per student," and that tuition at some private placements has driven per‑student costs higher in recent years.
Program risk and timing: Board members said if voters reduce the school budget below a 4.3% increase the district would need to look across programs to identify cuts. "If we go below, then we possibly could lose a floating nurse, a security guard... possibly cut a counselor," the superintendent said, warning that personnel reductions would be painful and are legally constrained by required reduction‑in‑force timing once final budgets are set.
Enrollment and operations: The board said Seymour serves about 2,060 students across four schools with 184 teachers and roughly 310 staff. Officials described Seymour as relatively efficient on a per‑pupil basis compared with peer towns but said that efficiency can mask underinvestment in some programs.
Process and dates: The board outlined the public process for budget decisions. The town meeting is scheduled for April 7 at 7:00 p.m.; if at least 50 residents attend the meeting may proceed and motions to change the budget can be offered. The first referendum vote on the budgets is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, with polls at the community center from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; additional referenda would follow if needed.
Public comments and context: Residents and board members urged community members to inform themselves and vote. One resident urged turnout: "Vote," she said during public comment. Board members also pressed state officials for greater educational cost sharing to relieve local pressure.
What’s next: The board encouraged questions via email and pointed the public to the superintendent's online budget presentation for line‑item and enrollment detail; board leaders urged turnout at the town meeting and at the April 21 referendum.
