Wallingford Board approves $125.7 million 2026–27 budget after debate on staffing and class sizes

The Wallingford Board of Education on May 28 approved a $125,725,886 budget for the 2026–27 school year, a 3.289% increase from the current year, following questions from members and public commenters about staffing, contingency use and class-size trends.

Board members voted by roll call to pass the spending plan after a lengthy discussion about where additions and savings had been made in the final document. "This will be the third year out of the last 14 years that we've had our sustained budget funded," said Dr. Reed, praising the budget's balance between fiscal restraint and operational needs. The board also approved the food services budget in a separate vote.

Why it matters: The approved budget covers pay and benefits (the largest share of expenditures), targeted curriculum investments, additional interns and several strategic positions the district intends to post and fill beginning July 1. Board members described the plan as aimed at sustaining student services while addressing personnel and program needs identified during the year.

What board members said: During discussion, members highlighted how most of the budget goes to salaries and benefits and defended the district's fiscal stewardship. "Our budget is people and stuff," Dr. Reed said, noting that Wallingford must maintain staff and facilities. Mrs. Regan emphasized that contingency funds are used operationally and are a small fraction of the total budget; the operations committee reported a district surplus of about $78,000 but flagged deficits in some accounts that were addressed through transfers.

Public concerns: Parent Alexis Noheimer, speaking during public comment, urged the board to monitor projected third-grade class sizes, saying that a class now at 17–18 students could grow to "22 to 23" in June and cautioned it might reach 25 by midyear if enrollment trends continued. Superintendent Bizzy told the board the district monitors class-size figures weekly through the summer and reiterated the district guidelines: K–2 target 21 students, grades 3–5 up to 23, and grades 6–12 up to 25.

Votes at a glance: The board recorded roll-call approval of the full proposed budget ($125,725,886). The food services budget was also approved by roll call; the meeting record lists the food services budget figure in the packet as "$2,824,91," which is not fully specified in the transcript materials provided to the board.

Next steps: With the budget adopted, the new fiscal year begins July 1. The administration said it will immediately post the strategic positions included in the approved plan and continue enrollment monitoring and summer staffing work. The board scheduled its next regular meeting for June 22 and committee meetings for June 15.