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Special School District board adopts FY27 budget after public hearing as educators protest salary freeze
Summary
At its May 2026 meeting, the Special School District Board of Education adopted the FY27 budget after a public hearing in which staff raised concerns about a proposed salary freeze, involuntary reassignments, and transparency. Administrators said the budget increases reflect vacant positions and new classroom support roles, not across-the-board pay raises.
At its May 2026 business meeting, the Special School District Board of Education voted to adopt the district’s FY27 budget following a public hearing that drew multiple statements from current and former district employees about a proposed salary freeze and personnel changes.
During the hearing, public commenter Paul Coffin asked why the draft budget shows roughly a $16 million increase if the board plans to freeze pay. CFO Cindy Roman responded that the projected increase reflects budgeting for vacancies and recently board-approved additional classroom support positions, not across-the-board raises. Roman said the budget reflects about 313.5 vacant positions being budgeted and listed new positions included in the FY27 request — 37 paraprofessionals, 21 Registered Behavior Technicians and four new teachers — which together drive higher wage line items in the draft budget.
The question-and-answer exchange underscored a central tension at the meeting: staff and union representatives urged pay movement to retain experienced educators while administrators explained the mechanics behind the FY27 numbers. David Hope, chair of the SDNA negotiations team, told the board that DESE data show SSD with a sizeable surplus and argued the district should use some reserves to avoid freezing certified salaries; administration and board members said budget presentation and assumptions have been discussed in prior work sessions and that vacancy budgeting and new positions explain year-to-year increases.
The board approved the FY27 budget after a motion and second; the motion carried by voice vote.
Votes at a glance - FY27 budget: approved (motion carried). - 2026–2027 deaf and hard of hearing classroom rental and tuition agreement: approved. - 2026–2027 administrative starting salary structure: approved. - Notification incentive for retirement (2026–2027): approved. - Proposed 2026–2027 salary schedules for SDNEA, SEE EA, SDVLS, SESPA, and Local 610: approved (board record shows at least one abstention during the vote). - Recertification of federal grant position (homeless/foster/migrant liaison and English learner coordinator): approved (not a new position; federal grant funded). - Student services position conversion: approved. - Motion to schedule closed meetings on May 26 and June 9, 2026 for legal and personnel matters: approved.
Why it matters The budget decision comes amid public testimony from teachers and staff saying a salary freeze could worsen retention and disrupt classroom stability. Administrators maintain the FY27 figures are shaped by vacancy budgeting and targeted additions to classroom support; the vote signals the board’s immediate fiscal plan but not final outcomes for ongoing labor negotiations.
What’s next Board members scheduled closed meetings to discuss legal and personnel matters and indicated continued conversations about mediation with bargaining units. The board also announced a work study on June 9 to continue budget and policy discussions.
