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Killingly Board adopts $47.94 million budget with staffing reductions
Summary
The Killingly Board of Education approved a $47,938,817 budget for 2025–26 that trims staffing and supplies to meet a Town Council‑mandated reduction; the board also authorized using up to $300,000 from the non‑lapsing fund to seed the Killingly Therapeutic Academy while SEED Grant timing may offset some costs.
The Killingly Board of Education on June 11 unanimously approved a $47,938,817 budget for the 2025–26 year after the Town Council reduced the district’s previously adopted plan. Superintendent Susan Nash told the board the Council-adjusted figure represents a $1,800,000 reduction from the board’s earlier number and a $554,978 increase over the 2024–25 budget.
Nash recommended a package of reductions that would eliminate or reduce staff lines and lower supply spending. The reductions presented included elimination of 14 positions, reduction of 11 positions, three jobs lost, a $446,064 reduction in supplies and several adjustments to administrator and secretary contract months. Nash also recommended using up to $300,000 from the district’s non‑lapsing fund for initial start‑up costs for the proposed Killingly Therapeutic Academy (KTA), while noting the district was approved for $152,000 in SEED Grant funds that might offset some KTA costs depending on timing.
Board member Misty Murdock asked whether paraprofessionals could be retained and what process would be used to restore positions; Nash said positions targeted for elimination were mostly vacant and would require Personnel Committee and full board approval to reinstate. Murdock also asked whether non‑lapsing funds could be used to cover supply reductions; Nash said those funds are intended for large, single transactions and are not the best fit for ongoing supply needs.
Kevin Marcoux moved to adopt the recommended budget with the reductions; Misty Murdock seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
What changed: The budget the board adopted earlier this year was $49,738,817; the Town Council’s adjustments reduced the figure to $47,938,817. The district’s recommended reductions, presented May 28, included: 1 high‑school classroom position; 2 elementary classroom positions (both vacant); 3 intervention positions (one vacant); 2 special services positions (vacant); 3 paraeducators (one PT, two FT; all vacant); 2 custodians (one PT, one FT; one vacancy); elimination of the district reading consultant position; reduction of one assistant principal from 12 to 10 months (vacant); seven secretaries from 12 to 10 months (specifics across KCS, KMS, KIS and KHS); and a proposed $300,000 ESS reduction to be covered from non‑lapsing funds for KTA start‑up.
The board’s approval preserves the district’s approach to meet the Town Council’s target while retaining the option to return to the board for position restorations if vacancies are filled or additional revenues become available. The board adopted the budget by voice vote at the meeting; no member opposed.
Next steps: The budget is adopted for the 2025–26 fiscal year and implementation will proceed under the district’s personnel and fiscal procedures; the board discussed using grant timing and future personnel committee actions to refine restorations.
