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Superintendent presents FY25-26 budget proposal with special education driving most of the increase
Summary
Regional School District 09's superintendent proposed a FY25-26 operating budget showing a roughly 5.3% increase driven primarily by rising special-education costs, higher health insurance and transportation expenses; the board was asked to review spreadsheets and bring questions to an upcoming budget workshop.
The superintendent presented Regional School District 09's proposed FY25-26 operating budget and told the board the plan represents a roughly 5.3% increase over the current year.
The presentation singled out special education as the largest single driver: the superintendent said the special-education cost center is increasing by about 12%, accounting for nearly 45% of the roughly $1.3 million overall increase for next year. Tuition and outplacement costs, intensive therapeutic programs and special-education transportation were cited as the major contributors to that growth.
"This budget is more than an investment in education; it is an investment in our towns' prosperity," the presenter said, urging members to consider that underfunding special education could push costs into the future. The presentation also noted health insurance and transportation as non-discretionary pressures on next year's operating budget.
The district flagged several specific lines of note: a planned $125,000 tuition line and $50,000 for transportation to reflect a not-yet-finalized outplacement; health insurance was described as roughly $2.2 million in total cost and was budgeted flat for the coming year; and debt service was described as ticking down about $50,000 compared with prior years.
Administratively, the presenter said the proposal reduces roughly three certified positions and one paraprofessional, with an estimated personnel savings of about $257,900 (plus the paraprofessional reduction shown as $23,873.50). The presentation also described modest increases in other cost centers (curriculum and instruction, technology and facilities) and grant shifts (Title grants moved between cost centers).
Board members asked a series of clarifying questions about apportionment, enrollment assumptions and the accounting treatment of transportation and special-education reimbursement. The presenter directed members to the shared Google budget sheets for detailed line-by-line review and encouraged questions to be submitted ahead of the next budget workshop.
The board did not take a vote on the budget during the presentation; the item will return for further review at upcoming budget workshops and pending the full board consideration of an RFP for a STEM facility study at the Feb. 25 meeting.
