Stonington Board approves $48.26 million 2026–27 revised budget; several routine motions also pass

The Stonington Board of Education on March 12, 2026 approved a revised 2026–27 budget of $48,257,150, representing a 5.68% increase from the prior plan. The motion, made by Board member Dan Kelley and seconded by Zachary Boudah, passed unanimously in the District Administration Board of Education Meeting Room in Mystic.

Alisha Stripling, the district’s director of finance and personnel, told the Board two adjustments reduced the revised total: an insurance projection that came in higher than expected and the discovery of a duplicated $72,000 town rebate entry that had already been accounted for elsewhere, producing a net decrease of $63,465 to the budget figure. Board members asked whether the Board of Finance had been notified; Stripling said the number had been shared with the Board of Finance but remained pending formal Board approval.

In addition to the budget vote, the Board approved several operational items during the meeting. The Board unanimously approved a bid waiver to expedite replacement of a condemned 36‑year‑old unit that had caused recurring fire alarms; administrators explained the waiver will allow the district to work quickly with a vendor familiar with the existing systems (Emcore) to avoid long lead times. The Board also voted to remove former Superintendent Mary Anne Butler from the district’s Chelsea Groton and Core Plus Credit Union bank accounts, approved the consent agenda items, and adopted a revised 2025–26 school calendar after discussion about professional development hours and staff input.

Board members and staff emphasized that some administrative regulations (ARs) are typically implemented by the administration; the Board approved a revised Fundraising policy (P5130) and its accompanying administrative regulation (AR5130) after noting the form would be useful for PTOs and other organizations. Subcommittee reports included updates from Teacher and Learning, Finance and Facilities (which appointed Bridget Shirvell as chair), and Policy subcommittees. Student Government representative Ella Rothman reported plans for a 2026 time capsule.

Votes at a glance - Approve 2026–27 Revised Budget ($48,257,150, 5.68% increase): motion by Dan Kelley, second Zachary Boudah — All: Aye — approved. - Bid waiver for condemned 36‑year‑old unit (vendor familiarity; urgent replacement): motion by Dan Kelley, second Zachary Boudah — All: Aye — approved. - Remove former Superintendent from district bank accounts (Chelsea Groton and Core Plus Credit Union): motion by Zachary Boudah, second Dan Kelley — All: Aye — approved. - Consent agenda items A–C: motion by Dan Kelley, second Zachary Boudah — All: Aye — approved. - Approve 2025–26 revised calendar: motion by Dan Kelley, second Katie Gauthier — All: Aye — approved. - Approve Fundraising P5130 and AR5130: motion by Dan Kelley, second Zachary Boudah — All: Aye — approved.

The Board discussed procurement limits and the district’s new bid-waiver policy thresholds; finance staff said the policy clarifies which approvals happen at the Board level versus the superintendent level. The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.

Provenance: The budget motion and attendant discussion appear in the meeting record under Motion 1 and related budget explanation.