Suffield Board approves $44.1 million FY2027 budget; special-education placements push projected deficit to about $212,000

The Suffield Board of Education on March 2 approved a $44,112,210 budget for fiscal year 2027, a $2,086,282 (4.96%) increase over the current year.

Business Manager Eric Remington told the board that the district’s projected year-end deficit rose to approximately $212,000 after five new special-education outplacements were added between December and January, increasing tuition and transportation costs by about $297,000. He said enrollment changes and employee leaves have also shifted salary projections and that health insurance enrollment is trending lower, yielding roughly $105,000 in savings versus the December projection. Superintendent Matt Dunbar said the district will review discretionary spending and may use its non-lapsing fund if necessary to close the year without a deficit.

Remington walked board members through proposed adjustments to the superintendent’s January budget presentation. Two additions were identified: restoring an academic support role to full-time contractual status (about $11,000) and correcting an underestimation associated with expanding Spanish instruction (about $40,000). Recommended reductions included updated health insurance assumptions (-$200,000), an updated pension estimate (-$20,000), elimination of a high-school secretarial position (about $110,000 savings), and repurposing two secondary instructional coach positions into two classroom teaching vacancies (estimated savings of about $275,000). The administration said those changes reduce the budget by roughly $553,000 while maintaining current programs and services.

After board discussion, Board member Debra Dudack moved and Sam Toskin seconded the budget motion; the motion passed with Dudack, Finnigan, Fry, Mol, Rose, Rossi, Sattan and Toskin voting in favor and Greg Sparzo abstaining.

Votes at a glance: MOTION #26-49 approved the FY27 budget, 8-0-1; earlier procedural motions to reorder the agenda (MOTION #26-46) and to approve minutes (MOTION #26-47 and MOTION #26-48) also passed as recorded in the minutes.

The administration said the district is monitoring the longer-term cost impact of special-education placements and implementation of a new program at McAlister Intermediate School intended to reduce outplacement needs over time. The board expects continued financial monitoring and coordination with the Board of Finance; the board’s budget presentation to the Board of Finance is scheduled for March 30.