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Suffield Board of Education sees $240,000 projected deficit, proposes elimination of six positions in FY2026 budget
Summary
Superintendent Matthew Dunbar and Business Manager Eric Remington told the Suffield Board that the district—aces a projected $240,000 deficit for FY2026 and proposed reducing five certified positions and one non-certified position as the board continues budget deliberations and urges advocacy for special education reimbursement.
Superintendent Matthew Dunbar and Business Manager Eric Remington presented the board with an updated Fiscal Year 2026 budget that now projects a $240,000 deficit, an increase from an earlier estimate of $151,000. The FY2026 proposal, pared down from an initial 8.34% increase to a 6.59% increase, would reduce the district's staffing by five certified positions and one non-certified facilities position.
Remington said personnel costs, rising special education outplacement expenses and higher health insurance premiums are the principal drivers of the shortfall. The administration projects health insurance premiums could increase about 20% compared with FY2025, and noted higher utilization of substitute teachers has added to staffing costs.
To reduce the proposed FY2026 increase the administration identified the elimination of two elementary teaching positions, one school psychologist, one secondary English language arts teacher, one Suffield Middle School library media specialist and one facilities position. Board members pressed for detail on how position reductions would affect class sizes, paraprofessional coverage and enrichment programs.
Remington identified two potential funding offsets: an additional Excess Cost grant reimbursement of $192,000 that has been approved by the legislature but could be vetoed by the governor, and $80,000 in FY2024 excess cost expenses the district believes are eligible for reimbursement through the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) process; the latter requires coordination with the town because ECS funds are allocated to the municipality. The district maintains a soft spending freeze while staff monitor open purchase orders and identify uncommitted funds to offset the deficit.
Board members discussed alternatives including increased grant-seeking, expanded shared services with the town, targeted program reductions, and higher pay-to-play athletics fees. Several members urged parents and community members to contact state lawmakers to press for full special education excess cost reimbursement.
The board did not adopt a final FY2026 budget at this meeting; members committed to further deliberations and additional budget sessions.
