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Regional School District 05 board approves schedule to send 1.2% operating budget to May referendum
Summary
Superintendent presented a district operating budget that would raise spending 1.2% (about $700,213). The board set a district meeting for May 4, 2026 and a referendum for May 5, 2026; town-by-town allocations vary and the proposal preserves staffing, special-education services and curriculum writing.
Superintendent Dr. Buyers presented Regional School District 05’s proposed operating budget for 2026–27, telling the board the plan reflects the district’s mission and priorities and would increase spending by 1.2, an overall rise of $700,213 from the current year. The proposal keeps most funding tied to staff salaries and benefits, maintains special‑education capacity and supports curriculum writing, technology, pupil services and short‑ and long‑term facilities improvements.
The budget presentation outlined how member-town allocations would change under the 1.2% plan: Bethany’s share would rise by about $263,000, Orange’s allocation would fall by roughly $170,000 and Woodbridge’s would increase by approximately $330,000. Dr. Buyers noted the regional budget also carries district debt service, which distinguishes it from town budgets.
Board members discussed the development timeline that produced the proposal: departments and schools submit requests in the fall, finance committee and AFC review in winter, and the board finalizes recommended spending in March. The superintendent said the public hearing was intended to collect feedback before setting a referendum date.
After the presentation the board moved to set a district meeting for 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 4, 2026 and a referendum on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 (6 a.m.–8 p.m.). The roll‑call vote on that motion recorded unanimous support from the members present.
The packet distributed before the meeting emphasized program continuity: the budget keeps investments in dual enrollment, career pathways, middle‑school schedule adjustments, student activities and athletics staffing, and mental‑health pupil services. Dr. Buyers also drew comparisons to state averages, noting the district’s proposed increase is below many superintendent‑proposed averages and regional district norms.
The board did not change the proposal at the meeting. Next procedural steps include the public district meeting on May 4 and the referendum vote on May 5, when district voters will decide whether to adopt the 2026–27 operating budget.
