Superintendent proposes 2026–27 New Canaan budget, flags kindergarten surge and seeks flexible fund

Superintendent Dr. Letizia presented the New Canaan School District’s proposed 2026–27 operating budget on Jan. 5, calling for a 3.94% year‑to‑year increase (about $4.5 million) and describing the request as an investment in students, staff and programs.

Dr. Letizia told the Board of Education that roughly 82.8% of district spending is dedicated to salaries and benefits and that staff costs account for about 85% of the proposed year‑to‑year increase. “Every decision we make is really guided by first and foremost, what is best for students,” Dr. Letizia said, thanking the budget team including budget manager Pat Marinan and Director of Finance Sean for the packet the board received.

Why it matters: administration and finance staff said the request is largely driven by grid progressions, step increases and negotiated wage increases for certified and non‑certified staff. Director of Finance Sean told the board the district’s base year expenditures are $113.8 million and the superintendent’s request is $118.3 million, producing the $4.5 million difference and the 3.94% increase.

Major proposals and details - Staffing: The budget includes a net increase of 1.53 full‑time equivalents overall, of which 1.2 FTEs are an enrollment variability adjustment to allow quick responses if a grade exceeds class‑size guidelines. The district proposed creating a 1.0 K–8 science coordinator and consolidating some administrative roles (creating a director of innovation and technology). - Programs and operations: The packet funds expanded co‑curricular offerings, continued investment in arts and athletics, and an $800,000 annual technology refresh cycle. The administration noted the Literacy Academy—initially started with ARP ESSER funds—has been integrated into the operating budget and IDEA support where appropriate. - Capital requests: The capital plan contains school facility investments, notably a PA/bell/security upgrade at Sax (~$1.2 million estimate), playground resurfacing, masonry repairs, and a vehicle replacement cycle for vans. Two large paving items (East and Sax) totaling roughly $1.25 million could be shifted to town DPW coordination to reduce cost.

Enrollment and kindergarten uncertainty Dr. Letizia spent a substantial portion of the presentation on enrollment projections. While grades 1–12 projections are typically accurate to within about 1%, kindergarten forecasts are unsettled because of larger birth cohorts in recent years. The demographic model cited birth counts near 215 and a projection methodology that could imply as many as roughly 420 incoming kindergarteners in some scenarios; the administration instead presented a conservative operating assumption that the full projection will not materialize. The superintendent listed tentative incoming kindergarten counts being used in internal planning (East 50, South 36, West 43) and warned that portables or classroom reconfigurations could be needed if enrollment grows beyond current assumptions.

Contingency mechanism: non‑lapsing strategic enrollment account To manage that uncertainty, Dr. Letizia proposed establishing a non‑lapsing strategic enrollment account available to the Board of Education to fund short‑term responses (portables, temporary staffing, classroom modifications). She said recent legislation allows a BOE to create such an account and that the district has discussed the idea with town finance officials; any drawdowns would be shared with the Board of Finance with detailed reporting.

Finance board walk‑through and assumptions Director of Finance Sean walked the board through the binder details: salary increases are the largest single driver (about $3.547 million of the total increase), benefits and payroll taxes contribute additional amounts, and other drivers include interns, transportation, software licensing and electricity. The packet assumes turnover savings of $150,000 and uses internal services fund performance and food service projections to offset portions of the request.

Board action and next steps A motion was made to accept the superintendent’s 2026–27 budget proposal as a first reading (moved by Matt; seconded by Brendan). The transcript records the motion and second; a formal roll‑call vote on the first reading was not recorded in the meeting record. Dr. Letizia noted there are more than 17 follow‑up meetings planned with the town council, Board of Finance and other stakeholders; the board has a workshop scheduled Friday for further review.

What was not decided: The board did not adopt the operating budget for 2026–27 at the Jan. 5 meeting (the motion was proposed as a first reading and the transcript does not capture an adoption vote). Specific dollar amounts for some capital items may change if DPW assumes paving work.

Reporting and documents The administration directed board members to the budget binder (page references cited during the presentation) for line‑by‑line narratives and supporting exhibits. The superintendent said the enrollment decision deadline for portables would likely be in early April if they were required.

The board will continue deliberations through the scheduled workshops and with town finance leaders.