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Sharon leaders outline school budget pressures, enrollment concerns and teacher-pay work
Summary
At a Jan. 13 joint meeting, Sharon’s finance, selectmen and education boards discussed school budget drivers — including rising utilities and health-insurance costs — enrollment declines and efforts to present teacher salaries with step increases for budget planning.
On Jan. 13, 2026, the Sharon Board of Finance, Board of Selectmen and Board of Education met jointly at Town Hall to review school programming, budget timelines and related town capital priorities.
BOE Chairman Dr. O’Reilly, Vice Chair Hegy Martin and board member Terry Vance summarized the BOE’s educational programming, state expectations and recent mandates that are driving budget decisions. Dr. O’Reilly said the board is assessing long-term responses to a current and projected enrollment decline and will report back with more detail.
Vice Chairman Fowler said she and BOF member Ms. Clare are working with Dr. O’Reilly to present teacher salary information that includes step increases in a simplified format to aid budget discussions. Principal Tomkalski described instructional priorities and presented a capital plan he said was based on “actual needs.”
Region 1 Business Manager Sam Herrick told the joint group that the regional budget faces rising electricity and health-insurance costs; he also said there may be a reduction in Sharon’s share of regional costs, but did not provide figures. First Selectman Flanagan outlined the Board of Selectmen’s budget role and the town’s capital priorities, and said the town will be examining long-standing positions that eventually will be replaced as part of longer-term planning.
Board of Finance member Mr. Hecht reviewed the BOF’s responsibilities and gave an overview of the town’s funds and the mil-rate timeline. Ms. Flaton pressed for earlier budget conversations and asked for specific follow-up on enrollment trends and revenue from tuition-paying students; Dr. O’Reilly said the BOE is investigating and will provide more information.
The three boards agreed to improve inter-board communication: the chairs of the BOF and BOE and the First Selectman will meet next quarter, and the group will explore holding a BOF meeting at the school, potentially including a site tour. No formal budget votes were taken at the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
