Preston School Board approves $15.4 million FY27 budget after debate over elementary Spanish and staffing

The Preston School District Board of Education on July 13 approved a $15,422,640 fiscal year 2027 budget as amended, with a 5–1 vote. Board Chair Courtney Ennis and member Andrew Koniecko moved the final motion; Heather Helwig cast the lone vote against the measure.

The budget adopted by the board includes $59,050 of one‑time state funding (half of a larger $118,100 adjustment discussed during the meeting) and reflected additional reductions the board identified during a real‑time review of proposed cuts. Director of Finance Cindy Varricchio told the board the district is projecting roughly $117,000 in surplus for FY26 and completed recalculations during the meeting to show the effect of the board’s preferred adjustments.

The discussion focused in part on program restorations and staffing levels. Parent Kayla Thompson urged the board to reinstate elementary Spanish and asked that athletics expenses be separated from general supplies. Teacher and parent Vicky Spicer questioned why more cuts were being considered after a July 9 vote and recommended polling parents about reinstating Spanish; Dr. Roy Seitsinger said restoring elementary Spanish could create scheduling and collective‑bargaining implications and that he would review the EAP contract and consult principals on scheduling.

Board members debated several personnel and program options: moving the district music teacher from 0.8 FTE to 1.0 FTE; proposals to reduce the Director of Student Services and a school psychologist by 0.2 FTE each; and the use of DRIP grant and the non‑lapsing fund to cover unexpected repairs. The board ultimately decided, based on discussion and the superintendent’s recommendation, to keep the Director of Student Services at 0.8 FTE and to post the anticipated school psychologist vacancy at 0.6–0.8 FTE.

Before the final vote, the board opened the floor to public comment. Vicky Spicer and Kayla Thompson spoke in favor of re‑examining the Spanish program and asked for greater communication with parents about proposed staffing changes. After public comment the motion to approve the FY27 budget passed with Courtney Ennis, Andrew Koniecko, Kelly McNamara, Charles Raymond and Nicole Serra recorded as in favor and Heather Helwig opposed.

Other procedural notes from the meeting: the board voted to present an internal control review of the non‑lapsing account to the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen, and the CSEA collective bargaining agreement was reported as unanimously ratified following executive session.

The board adjourned at 9:50 p.m.