Suffield Board approves $42.3 million 2025–26 school budget; middle school library media specialist position preserved

The Suffield Board of Education approved the district’s 2025–26 budget on March 17, voting 6–2 to adopt a $42,275,929 spending plan that represents a 7.03% increase over the current year.

The budget passed after two motions. Board member Brian Fry moved to approve a larger $42,381,628 budget that would have explicitly preserved the Suffield Middle School Library Media Specialist position; that motion failed 3–5. Later, Melissa Finnigan moved to approve the superintendent’s presented budget totaling $42,275,929, and Gianna Rossi seconded. The board approved Finnigan’s motion 6–2.

Business Manager Eric Remington reviewed the revised superintendent’s proposal and said the original proposed increase of 8.34% had included the reduction of three certified positions; the revised total reflects further reductions. Remington said the district expects a $175,000 pass-through special-education reimbursement from the town that would lower the effective total to $42,100,929, or a 6.59% increase over FY25.

Board members and district staff outlined the budget adjustments used to reduce the total: elimination of two additional certified positions and one non-certified position, an anticipated reduction in special-education outplacement costs, an expected increase in state reimbursement for excess special-education costs, elimination of the Board of Education’s CABE membership dues, and other operational reductions.

Remington and Superintendent Matthew Dunbar identified major budget drivers: a projected 20% health insurance premium increase next year, which accounts for about 2.16% of the overall budget increase; special-education outplacements (about 1.38%); and contractual salary increases (about 3%). Chair Maureen Sattan said she and district officials had spoken earlier in the day with Board of Finance Liaison Brian Kost, who indicated an OPEB funding update may provide some relief depending on revised projections.

The board discussed the distinction between the Board of Education’s role in defining how school dollars are spent and the Board of Finance and town voters’ role in deciding the final tax/appropriation level. With the passage of the budget, the board established its spending priorities; the budget will move to the Board of Finance and then to town voters as required.

Motion details: MOTION #25-44 (Fry) sought approval of $42,381,628 without eliminating the middle school library media specialist and failed 3–5 (Fry, Dudack, Mol in favor; Finnigan, Rossi, Sattan, Sepko, Sparzo opposed). MOTION #25-45 (Finnigan; second Rossi) approved $42,275,929 on a 6–2 vote (Dudack, Finnigan, Rossi, Sattan, Sepko, Sparzo in favor; Fry, Mol opposed).

The board’s minutes state the budget discussion and votes are subject to subsequent processes and the minutes themselves are subject to approval at the April 7, 2025 meeting.