New Milford Board of Education proposes $78.77 million budget, citing rising student needs and fixed costs

The Board of Education presented its FY2026–27 budget request of $78,773,658 — a 3.2% increase — during the Feb. 26 joint hearing. Superintendent Dr. Janet Parlato and Board Chair Leslie Sarich outlined district goals and financial drivers, citing contractual salary increases (2.45%) and rising health-benefit costs as principal fixed-cost pressures.

Dr. Parlato said the district continues to contend with elevated student need after the pandemic, noting free and reduced‑price lunch participation increased to 1,257 students (36.4% of enrollment) and multilingual learners rose to 321 (9.31%). The number of students with Individualized Education Programs increased to 648 (18.8%). Out‑of‑district placement costs vary widely, Dr. Parlato said, and she provided examples with tuition/transportation combined figures ranging roughly from $124,836 to $156,520 per student for some placements.

Budget choices: the proposed budget includes some staff reductions and redeployments (net reductions described across certified staff) and selective additions, while several desired items did not make the initial request — including additional kindergarten paraprofessionals, a director of curriculum and expanded arts and vocational positions — because of fiscal constraints.

Why this matters: school spending forms the largest single line in the town's overall budget; changes in state educational cost-sharing and growing high-need student populations influence both pedagogical priorities and fiscal choices at the local level.

Next steps: Board and council members asked questions on bus service, workforce pathways such as culinary programming and student mental‑health supports. The Board's proposal will be considered alongside town operating requests in follow-up deliberations.