Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Reductions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves $1.37 million in FY2026–27 reductions, including 10.0 FTEs
Summary
The New London Board of Education approved proposed reductions totaling $1,369,042—including 10.0 FTE staff cuts and elimination of the OPEB contribution—during a March 2 special meeting; the motion passed 6–0.
The New London Board of Education voted 6–0 on March 2 to adopt a package of proposed reductions to the FY2026–27 budget that the district said would yield $1,369,042 in savings.
Chief Financial Officer Rob Funk presented the package, which the motion described as: reduce staffing by 10.0 FTEs; reduce hourly staffing by eliminating additional wages for summer "specials"; eliminate the ADEC payment to the City of New London; eliminate the annual OPEB contribution; convert four 12‑month teaching positions to 10‑month positions; and reduce unused contracted HR services. The motion was made by President Elaine Maynard-Adams and seconded by Vice-President Karen Bergin before the board approved the cuts 6–0.
Board members framed the reductions as difficult but necessary decisions within a multi-million-dollar funding gap. President Maynard-Adams reminded the public during the hearing that "the Board is not a taxing authority and has no ability to raise funds on its own," emphasizing that the district is contending with years of underfunding from federal, state and local sources.
The approved reductions are part of the district’s broader budgeting process; additional deliberations and a final budget vote are expected later in the spring. The board did not attach specific layoffs or reassignment timelines to every reduction item during the March 2 vote; staff will implement the approved changes following standard personnel and bargaining procedures.
