Superintendent Sousa proposes $10.73 million budget for 2026–27, cites staffing and transportation as primary drivers

Superintendent Jeffrey Sousa presented the New Hartford Public Schools proposed budget for 2026–27 totaling $10,733,527, a 3.96% increase over the current year (an increase of $408,851). The proposal assumes a projected grant offset of $423,604 and a district enrollment of 446 students, with a working projection of 441 for next year.

The superintendent identified the primary budget drivers as employee salaries ($271,600), employee benefits ($97,225) and pupil transportation ($22,145), for a combined $390,970. Sousa said the district’s Education Cost Share (ECS) allocation is projected at $3,011,733 for 2026–27. He noted ECS funding has not materially changed in the state funding formula since 2013 and that the district has not historically received full excess cost grant funding.

The proposal includes preliminary capital expenditures totaling $166,275: HVAC inspections ($15,675), replacement of 45 Chromebooks and district Wi‑Fi system ($29,900), oil tank removal and replacement ($100,000, listed as one item toward a larger multi‑tank need), and classroom refresh work ($20,700) for vacated Antolini classrooms. Sousa told the board that four oil tanks must be replaced by 2031 if the district does not convert heating systems, and that deferred replacement costs could be substantially higher.

Sousa said transportation savings from a new five‑year contract with DATTCO total $513,680.09 over five years and that including fuel costs in the contract saves about $55,000 per year. The superintendent said the proposed budget is built on a projected grant offset of $423,604 and that without those grant funds the requested increase would be larger.

The presentation also called out contingencies totaling $197,000: Special Education Tuition ($100,000), Special Education Transportation ($45,000), Legal Fees ($20,000) and Emergency Repairs ($32,000). Sousa estimated a typical outplacement cost for a student could range approximately from $100,000 to $160,000, and board members requested year‑to‑year special education enrollment and cost detail at the next budget workshop.

Board members asked for clearer line‑item historical increases, clarification of which budget items are contractual or legally fixed and which are adjustable, and a notation of whether grants are federal or state sourced. The board was asked to submit questions by Feb. 17, 2026, ahead of a Feb. 24 budget workshop.