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Board hears details of proposed 2026–27 budget: retiree costs, special ed trends, summer‑school cuts and device deferrals
Summary
Administrators answered 58 submitted questions on the proposed 2026–27 budget, citing an $838,725 rise in retiree insurance costs, special education at 23.53% of the budget, deferred Chromebook refreshes, a proposed shift of 1.2 special‑ed FTEs to IDEA grant funding, and elimination of some summer programs.
Milford, CT — At a budget workshop focused on the superintendent’s proposed 2026–27 budget, district administrators walked board members through key line items and answered questions submitted in advance, emphasizing legal obligations, enrollment‑driven staffing decisions and cost pressures for health care and special education.
On retiree benefits, Mr. Bren read the district response: "Our obligation to provide insurance to retirees is a mandatory requirement rooted in collective bargaining agreements." The administration said the district currently provides medical coverage to 457 retired employees and life insurance to 696, and that a proposed $838,725 increase reflects rising health‑care costs and legacy contracted benefits vested at retirement.
Special education remains a large share of spending: the proposed budget lists special education at 23.53% of the total, similar to recent years (23.62% adopted in 2025–26). Staff said statewide identification and rising service costs are driving increases.
Technology and devices: the district confirmed the 2627 computer budget covers lease payments for Chromebooks; capital refreshes for grades 5 and 9 were deferred for the coming year and “no new computers” purchases are planned, though device banks will ensure kindergarten students access to Chromebooks.
Summer programming: elementary summer options and middle‑school literacy and numeracy academies will not run in 2026–27 because of low historical enrollment (example figures cited: roughly 32 elementary participants and about 43 middle‑school participants across programs); high‑school credit‑recovery remains in place. Administrators described a concept for a future enrichment model that would combine academic support with enrichment to boost participation.
Other budget details raised during the workshop: homebound instruction costs have risen to $240,150; the district budgets about $150,000 for internship placements (about 10 interns at university partner rates of ~$15,000 each); and the administration proposed 10 school security officers (one per elementary school, one for the Academy and one lead SSO) with employer FICA estimated at $33,599.
The board recessed at 9:37 p.m. with the Q&A to resume the next evening.
