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Board narrows 2026–27 proposal, approves 3.5% increase and redirects $20,700 for classroom repairs
Summary
After several tied and failed motions to lower the superintendent’s proposal, the board approved a motion to trim the 2026–27 budget to a 3.5% increase and unanimously removed $20,700 from capital to be funded by surplus or the non‑lapsing account.
The New Hartford Public Schools Board of Education voted on Feb. 24 to trim Superintendent Jeffrey Sousa’s proposed 2026–27 budget to a 3.5% increase after several prior motions to set lower targets failed. The 3.5% motion passed 5–3.
Board members debated multiple alternatives earlier in the meeting. A motion to maintain the superintendent’s proposed 3.92% increase produced a 4–4 tie and failed. Subsequent motions to cut to 3.3%, 3.0% and 3.43% likewise failed. Kristin Young and Timothy Klepps were among members who supported smaller reductions at different stages, while Erik Perotti cautioned that deeper cuts would “affect the children directly,” saying he preferred forwarding the superintendent’s proposal to the Board of Finance for further guidance.
On a related vote, the board unanimously approved removing $20,700 for a classroom refresh (rooms 25, 26 and 29) from the 2026–27 capital plan and authorized using either up to $20,000 from the non‑lapsing account or year‑end surplus in the current maintenance line to fund the repairs. The motion included flexibility to use maintenance surplus if available rather than strictly limiting funds to the non‑lapsing account.
Board members who voted in favor of the final 3.5% motion were Timothy Klepps, Kirby Morante, Jon Puz, Frank Rodenberg and Kristin Young. Those opposed were Penny Miller, Erik Perotti and Timothy Russell. The board will send its budget to the Board of Finance as part of the town’s budget review schedule.
Next steps: the BOE must adopt a final budget at its meeting on March 3, 2026, after which the town’s Board of Finance will consider the proposal on March 14, 2026.
