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Windsor Locks Board reviews revised FY25–26 budget, proposes staff adjustments
Summary
Superintendent Shawn Parkhurst presented revisions that raise the district—udget request from 14.58% to 14.88%, detailing grant-mandated Pre-K positions and proposed paraprofessional reductions; board discussion focused on where to trim without cutting classroom supports.
Superintendent Shawn Parkhurst presented a revised FY25–26 budget at the Windsor Locks Board of Education meeting on Jan. 16, 2025, telling the Board the district djusted its request from 14.58% to 14.88% after reviewing staff and community feedback (a 0.30 percentage-point rise). The revisions include a net projected increase of $12,664 and reflect state grant mandates and several staffing changes.
Parkhurst said the Early Start CT Grant carries a staffing mandate requiring a Pre-K liaison and ABA support for Pre-K students, which he estimated would cost $62,812. He proposed adding a Windsor Locks Middle School special education teacher at an estimated $67,366 while eliminating 1.0 paraprofessional in the North Street School ABA program (savings of $29,379) and cutting 3.0 middle school para-educator positions (savings of $88,135). Parkhurst framed those moves as restructurings intended to meet mandated services and district needs while trying to limit classroom-level cuts.
Board members pressed for detail about where additional savings might come from and discussed specific line items including medical and dental insurance, coaching budgets, a middle/high school science teacher, a North Street general education tutor, RISE relocation, pupil services, library aides, and the Dance Team versus Show Choir funding. Chairwoman Kylee Christianson warned the group that finding reductions without substantial sacrifices would be difficult and noted the district would continue to examine Excess Cost Sharing Grant and state funding options.
No formal vote on the budget was taken at the Jan. 16 workshop; the presentation was given in a workshop format so board members and administrators could ask questions and staff could respond.
