Regional School District 13 board presents $44.46 million budget, schedules May 5 referendum

The Regional School District 13 Board of Education presented a proposed 2026–27 budget of $44,456,570 on May 4 and set a referendum vote for May 5, 2026, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at polling places in Durham and Middlefield.

Board presenter Tom reviewed the budget slides, saying the gross total of $44,456,570 represents a 4.5% increase over the prior year and distinguishing gross from net figures (gross includes salaries, transportation, debt service and utilities; net subtracts expected revenues). He said roughly 2.44 percentage points of the change are tied to salaries and benefits, operating services account for about 1.04 points and debt service about 1.44 points; several other categories (facilities/grounds, supplies and capital) show reductions that offset some growth.

Why it matters: the district estimated the cost allocation to member towns at Durham $24,717,275 and Middlefield $12,717,496. The presenter noted the governor's Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grant—identified in the presentation as roughly $3.4 million for Durham and $2.1 million for Middlefield—flows to the towns and helps pay assessments but does not change the district's stated 4.5% figure.

Key details: the presentation listed dollar changes by category (salaries up about $1,000,000; benefits up about $159,000; purchase services up $86,000; capital down $300,000; debt service up $613,000). The district reported fund-balance carryover declining (projected around $450,000 next year) and said salaries are budgeted at 100% this year after prior years of partial funding. The proposal includes reductions of five salary positions and additions (a library/media specialist and a social worker funded at 0.6 FTE), yielding a net reduction of about 3.4 full-time equivalents.

Union support and public questions: Craig Bradini, president of the Regional School District 13 Education Association, told the board the budget "reflects a thoughtful and balanced approach to a very challenging financial landscape" while noting the human impact of staff reductions. During public comment resident Rick thanked the board for the referendum and asked whether the district handles snow and ice removal on Picket Lane and whether a local private solar installation would affect the district's assessment; a district representative said the district clears Picket Lane while the town maintains the community-center parking lot and that the district has expressed interest in a private solar project but is not currently receiving power or rebates from it. An online commenter asked about magnet-school funding; the district said a statewide allocation exists and later reported 15 district students currently attend magnet schools.

Process and next step: after public comment the board accepted a motion to adjourn to the referendum scheduled for May 5; the motion was seconded, called for a voice vote and carried with one recorded opposition. The district will proceed to the town referenda at the posted locations the next day.

Clarifying note: figures and line-item changes were presented by district staff during the May 4 meeting; the board's slides listed the gross and net budget totals, category-level dollar changes and town assessments. Voter turnout and the referendum result will determine whether the proposed budget is adopted.