Guilford superintendent unveils 2025–26 draft budget; $1.8M medical spike drives largest increase in 14 years

Superintendent Dr. Freeman presented the Guilford Public Schools’ first draft of the 2025–26 operating budget on Monday, proposing a $75,763,680 request — a year-over-year increase of $4,641,529 (about 6.5%). The board scheduled two public budget hearings for Jan. 27 and Jan. 28 and will consider final action at a special meeting in early February.

Why it matters: Dr. Freeman said nondiscretionary cost drivers — especially a $1.8 million increase in employee medical-insurance costs and roughly $1.2 million in salary increases tied to recent contract agreements — account for the largest portion of the proposed increase. The superintendent told the board this was the largest percentage request of his 14-year tenure.

Key details: The draft budget assumes a modest enrollment rise (about 61 additional students) and includes a set of limited, targeted instructional investments: one new finance teacher at Guilford High School to meet a state graduation requirement, two half-time elementary math-intervention positions (netting a 1.6 FTE increase after a reduction of 2.4 positions elsewhere), and an additional pre-K teacher tied to projected enrollment. Dr. Freeman said the district has intentionally avoided requests for new administrative, custodial or monitor positions in this draft.

Cost drivers and state support: Out-of-district special-education tuition was presented as rising by roughly $366,000. Dr. Freeman noted the state’s excess-cost sharing for Guilford appears to be lower this year — about 60% versus prior years that ranged roughly 72–80% — which reduces state reimbursement and increases local exposure.

Capital and bond preview: The superintendent also previewed a $1.9 million bonding request for targeted facility work, including exterior window/door replacement at Guilford Lake School, a chiller replacement, stream and retaining-pond work at middle-school sites, and $367,000 earmarked to replace and upgrade equipment in the high-school weight room (equipment only; no physical-space renovation was proposed).

Fiscal process and next steps: Dr. Freeman outlined the timeline for public engagement and final votes. The board will hold two public hearings (Jan. 27–28) and aims for a Feb. 3 special meeting to approve a final board budget to submit to the town. The superintendent and board also scheduled a joint insurance meeting with the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen to review the medical-insurance increase and the district’s consultant analysis.

Board action taken at the meeting: The board approved routine items needed to continue operations — including ratifying three retirements, accepting small donations, approving the December financial reports and approving a 10% increase in preschool tuition for 2025–26 (applied to the district’s typical-peer preschool seats). A summary of votes appears below.

Quotes: "This is the single largest percent increase that I have asked for in my now 14 years in the school system," Dr. Freeman told the board, placing the rise in the context of rising nondiscretionary costs. Public commenter Nate Jacobson, addressing the planned weight-room equipment upgrade, urged adding a staffing component so the renovated space serves non-athletes as well as athletes.

Ending: The board closed by reminding the public that the full budget book and presentation slides will be posted to the Guilford Public Schools website ahead of the Jan. 27–28 hearings and invited the community to submit questions and attend the hearings.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of Dec. 9, 2024 minutes (as amended): approved. - Approval of December 2024 financial reports (FY 2024–25): approved. - Ratify resignations for retirement (Harry Breelan; Karen Chapman; Deborah Dah), effective June 30, 2025: approved. - Approve donation of obsolete textbooks (Adams Middle School to Bay State Book Company) under Board policy 3214: approved; one abstention (Mr. Brooks) recorded. - Accept $137 donation from Guilford High School music boosters for a music-mentors advisor: approved. - Approve 10% increase to 2025–26 preschool tuition for typical peers (approx. 40 seats affected): approved. Draft rates presented in budget materials: full day ~ $7,973; half day ~ $3,658.

Reporting note: All dollar figures and rate amounts are taken from the superintendent’s presentation and the district’s draft budget materials as presented to the board on Jan. 13.