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Old Saybrook board adopts 2025–26 budget with about 4.49% increase
Summary
The Old Saybrook Board of Education voted to adopt the proposed 2025–26 budget as read — the amount stated aloud in the meeting was '31,437,753' and described as a 4.49% increase — after debate about staffing needs, accreditation recommendations and timing for submission to the board of finance.
The Old Saybrook Board of Education voted to adopt the district’s proposed 2025–26 budget at its Jan. 28 meeting after discussion about rising special‑education needs and proposed administrative staffing increases.
A board member moved that "the Old Sabre Board of Education adopt 2025–26 budget of 31,437,753 representing a 4.49% increase over the fiscal year of 2024–2025." The motion was seconded and, after a period of discussion and clarification about the submission schedule to the board of finance, carried on a voice vote.
Why it matters: Superintendent Chris told the board that updated health‑insurance figures lowered part of an earlier request but that remaining priorities — including an assistant principal for Goodwin School and two additional positions/supports — still add roughly $216,000 to the district’s earlier request. The superintendent framed those requests as responses to higher numbers of students requiring special education and 504 accommodations and to recommendations from the NEASC accreditation report.
Board debate focused on process and sustainability. Several members said they supported the staffing requests in principle but wanted clearer job descriptions, certification requirements and assurances that new positions would be sustainable beyond a single budget cycle. One board member asked whether the vote being taken that night finalized the superintendent’s budget as the board’s official budget to be submitted to the board of finance; the chair acknowledged a calendar/agenda communication gap and explained the charter deadline that drives the timeline.
What the budget vote does and does not do: The motion as read was adopted by the board; the meeting record shows a voice vote but does not provide a roll‑call tally in the transcript. The superintendent and business office said they will bundle necessary justification materials for the board of finance and noted the town charter requires submission by March 1; board members asked staff to provide additional detail on position sustainability, job descriptions and long‑term funding implications.
Next steps: Administration will finalize the presentation materials to the board of finance and return to the board with more specific job descriptions and financial detail requested during the meeting.
(Quotes and attributions in this article come from the board meeting transcript. The dollar figure was stated aloud in the meeting as transcribed.)
