Berlin Board of Education adopts 2025-26 operating budget, cites special education and state reading mandate as key drivers

The Berlin Board of Education voted unanimously Feb. 10 to adopt its 2025-26 operating budget after administrators reduced the one-time implementation cost for a state-required reading program and walked the board through major cost drivers.

Board member Peter moved to adopt the budget and Brian seconded; the motion carried 9-0. Board members then entered executive session for labor discussions.

Administrators told the board the superintendent's proposed budget request represents a 6.86% increase over the prior year and reflected a roughly $3.6 million year-over-year increase in obligations and needs. Special education accounts were highlighted as a major, largely non-discretionary portion of the budget: the special education budget request was cited at about $13.6 million, roughly 24.3% of the general operating fund. Administrators said those costs are driven by statutory requirements and outplacements that offer minimal short-term flexibility.

Brian, who reviewed final pricing for the state's science-of-reading program, said the district initially estimated implementing the K–3 portion at $500,000 but was able to lower the net implementation impact for next year by using grant and textbook funds. "Instead of 500,000 we're looking about 360 some odd thousand for the reading program," he said; district staff said using grant and current-year textbook money brings the budget impact for next year to about $215,000.

Administrators also described other budget pressures: contractual salary increases (including a 3% increase for administrators and multiple teacher step advancements), an 8.5% employee-benefits increase driven in part by a budgeted 10% health-insurance rate increase, increased contracted services (software subscriptions and special-education professional services), transportation costs and classroom-technology capital needs (projectors, Chromebooks and infrastructure).

Director of Finance and Operations Ashley Dorsy told the board that federal funding has decreased and that grant reimbursements (including a $3.2 million grant for planned HVAC projects) and excess-cost reimbursements are variable. "The bid packages for the upcoming HVAC projects over at Griswold and Hubard elementary schools are still in progress," she said, adding that the grant currently requires work to be completed by Dec. 31, 2025 and the state is offering only a possible one-year extension.

Board members discussed the district's per-pupil expenditures and comparisons with neighboring towns; one member noted Berlin's net current expenditure per pupil was shown in the presentation as $2,719 compared with a higher state average. Several members emphasized the need to remain competitive to recruit and retain staff while also being mindful of taxpayer impacts.

The budget adoption was the culminating formal action of the meeting; after the vote the board announced it would move into executive session to discuss paraprofessional and custodial contract ratification. No further public action was taken before adjournment.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda: motion by Peter; second by Jessica; vote carried 9-0. - Open Choice seats (superintendent recommended 10 kindergarten seats): motion by Peter; second by Jessica; vote carried 9-0. - 2025-26 operating budget adoption (administration presented a 6.86% request): motion by Peter; second by Brian; vote carried 9-0.

What's next: Administrators said they will post the adopted budget and adjust public-facing graphics to reflect the final adopted percentage once clerical edits are completed. The board moved into executive session following the adoption to address labor negotiations as noted above.