Board of Finance Hears Seymour Board of Education’s 4.7% Budget Request as Health Insurance Drives Costs

The Seymour Board of Education presented its proposed operating budget to the Board of Finance on March 9, asking for a 4.7% net increase driven primarily by personnel costs and rising health-insurance premiums.

Kristen Bruno, identified as chair of the Board of Education, told the finance board the district’s budget priorities emphasize long-term strategic goals, program continuity and operational efficiencies. "Seventy‑nine percent of our budget goes to salaries and benefits," Bruno said, describing a planning process that began with a roll-forward budget near 4.9% and produced savings that reduced the request to 4.7%.

The board said health insurance is the largest single pressure. Presenters reported the county health-insurance plan is projecting a 13.5% increase that the district estimated would add roughly $772,000 to the budget. "We went to the state plan last year to prevent big cost increases," Bruno said, "but across the state there are increases as part of the state plan." Board members were told the 13.5% figure was preliminary and final carrier numbers were still pending.

School leaders described several targeted…