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Regional School District 11 board holds public hearing on $7.51 million 2026–27 budget, moves it to May 5 referendum
Summary
The Chaplin, Hampton and Scotland Board of Education heard a brief budget presentation and answered two public questions before voting unanimously to send the proposed $7,508,150 Regional School District 11 operating budget for 2026–27 to a referendum on May 5, 2026. Officials said the increase is driven chiefly by special-education costs, transportation and contract salary raises.
Chair Stacy Foster convened a public hearing on the proposed Regional School District 11 budget at Parish Hill Library, calling the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. The board voted unanimously to send the $7,508,150 fiscal-year 2026–27 operating budget to a referendum on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Superintendent Andrew Skarzynski and Business Manager Jobina Miller presented a brief overview of the budget, telling the board that the largest cost pressures are rising special-education expenses, transportation and contract-required salary increases. The presentation did not include a line-by-line breakdown in the minutes; the board record states the proposed budget was adopted by the board on April 7, 2026 and will be the question before voters at the referendum.
Two members of the public asked questions during the hearing. Jen Nelson of Scotland asked Business Manager Jobina Miller about a recent reduction in ECS funding to the region; Superintendent Skarzynski said the Governor had announced increases in funding that would be divided between municipalities and schools. Jeremiah Rufini of Chaplin asked whether the Governor’s announced grant increase would be earmarked solely for the elementary school or whether some funds would be sent to Regional School District 11; Miller and Skarzynski said ECS funding goes to the elementary school but that a portion of the funding will go to RD11.
After public comment, Board member Cassidy Martin moved to adjourn to a referendum to act on the district budget, with Michael Smardon seconding. The motion carried unanimously. The minutes list the referendum question for voters as: “Shall the sum of $7,508,150 be appropriated for the operation and maintenance of the Regional District 11 School System for July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027?”
The board published the following polling locations for the May 5 referendum: Chaplin Volunteer Fire Department, 106 Phoenixville Road, Chaplin; the Community Room at Hampton Town Hall, 164 Main St., Hampton; and the Scotland Volunteer Fire Department, 47 Brook Rd., Scotland. Polls will be open from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m.; absentee ballots will be available at the town clerks’ offices in Chaplin, Hampton and Scotland during regular hours.
The meeting record shows the board adjourned just after 7:30 p.m. The minutes were respectfully submitted by Hayley Tiller-Albert.
