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Ansonia Board of Education approves 2026 budget; restores middle school sports
Summary
The Ansonia Board of Education voted 7-0 Jan. 28, 2026 to adopt the superintendent's proposed budget after discussion about restored middle school athletics, administrator-role reductions and the need to raise contingency funds. Board members also flagged needs for more SRO staffing, crossing guards and updated technology.
The Ansonia Board of Education approved the superintendent's proposed 2026 budget at a special virtual meeting on Jan. 28, 2026, voting 7-0 to adopt the plan presented by Superintendent DiBacco.
Board members said the adopted proposal restores middle school sports in the budget narrative and reflects significant cuts concentrated in administrator-level positions. Superintendent DiBacco answered questions about needs for additional school resource officer (SRO) staff, crossing guard expenses and updated classroom technology, and he confirmed several positions were initially funded during the COVID period with ESSER and Alliance funds.
The superintendent told the board the ECS grant figure included in the presentation has been unchanged for many years and was presented as $15,031,883. He said about $24,350,000, or roughly 60% of the district budget, is funded by local taxpayers. Board members discussed increasing the contingency account (currently $159,000) to reduce the likelihood of seeking special appropriations midyear; Dr. Steven Adamowski suggested asking BOAT and BOA to consider a higher contingency in future budget discussions.
President Chris Phipps thanked the administration for the presentation, saying the narrative and work were strong and noting the adopted budget represented a substantial reduction from earlier versions. Superintendent DiBacco said the district tried to shield classroom services and students from cuts where possible but warned higher-need student services could create cost pressures during the school year.
Votes at a glance: To approve the budget as presented by Superintendent DiBacco — Approved, vote 7-0. To adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. — Approved, vote 7-0.
The board recorded no public comments and adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m. The meeting minutes were submitted by Recording Secretary Cassie Venson on Feb. 3, 2026.
