Thompson Board delays sending exact budget figure to Board of Finance, reopens review

At a special meeting on Jan. 21, 2026, the Thompson Board of Education voted to rescind a prior decision to forward an exact Fiscal 2027 budget number to the Board of Finance and will wait until the board finalizes details.

The action followed a budget overview presented by William Steglitz. "The proposed budget stands at $23.7 million, an increase of $1.9 million, or just under 9 percent," Steglitz said, noting that most of the increase is driven by rising pupil services and special-education needs. The board held discussion about the budget drivers and potential program and staffing impacts.

The motion to rescind sending the exact figure was made by Kathleen Herbert and seconded by Kristin Schultz. The board conducted a roll-call vote: Amanda Jean Lincoln — Yes; Rick Medeiros — Yes; Daniella Caverly — No; Kristin Schultz — Yes; Matthew Polsky — Yes; Heather Santos — Yes; Justin Yong — No; Kathleen Herbert — Yes; Jessica Bolte — Abstained. With six votes in favor, two opposed and one abstention, the motion passed.

Chair Jessica Bolte had earlier told the board the proposal "represents the minimum funding necessary to meet the educational and statutory obligations," and warned that further reductions would "directly impact staffing, student programs, and support services and would place the district at risk of falling below required accreditation standards." She also affirmed the independent authority of the board chair.

As background for board members and the public, Erika Haynes of the CT School Finance Project provided a School Finance 101 presentation on how Connecticut funds education and directed attendees to www.schoolstatefinance.org for more information.

During the public-comment period, several residents addressed the board. Rob Werge thanked the board for reopening budget discussions and said transparency would be important for an upcoming joint meeting with the Board of Finance; he also cited broader town fiscal pressures, including prior reductions to the paving budget and underfunding of fire departments. Amanda Goding asked whom to contact with questions about the budget and building maintenance; Chair Bolte directed her to Superintendent Melinda Smith for follow-up.

Special-education teacher Sara Desjarlais expressed concern about a potential elimination of a pre-K teacher and a paraprofessional and asked whether the district remains NAEYC-accredited and whether accreditation imposes class-size or staffing requirements. Superintendent Melinda Smith said the district "is fully accredited, having completed the accreditation process last year with strong results, including a positive review at Mary R. Fisher School," and added that the accrediting body provides recommended class-size ranges but does not impose a required minimum number of students per class; the district is operating within those recommended guidelines.

The board completed the meeting with a unanimous vote to adjourn at 8:49 p.m. The motion to delay sending the exact budget number leaves the BOE continuing to refine the Fiscal 2027 proposal ahead of its next joint discussion with the Board of Finance.