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Budget

Superintendent'S FY26 Budget Transmittal


Thank you for your dedication and commitment during this particularly challenging budget year. Balancing the needs of our students, staff, and community, while taking financial constraints into account is not an easy task.

While lean is not a descriptor typically associated with a request for an 8.34% increase, the Superintendent's Proposed Budget for the 2026 fiscal year contains little beyond what is required to operate our school district and meet student needs. The proposal includes a number of unavoidable costs largely beyond our control. We have made reductions to the budget that won’t negatively impact students and staff.

The financial pressures faced by Suffield Public Schools are daunting in FY26 and we recognize the potential impact to taxpayers. The key drivers of the budget are significant increases to special education outplacement costs, an unprecedented 20% increase to health insurance premiums, and contractual obligations to our valued employees. These three factors alone account for a 7.58% increase over last year's budget:

FY 2026 Budget Increases  
Special Education Tuition and Transportation 2.11%
Health Insurance 2.36%
Salaries 3.11%
All Other 0.76%
Total Increase 8.34%

 

Special Education Tuition and Transportation

While special education outplacement costs soar, funding from the state falls even further short of its obligations, transferring the burden to local taxpayers. In the last two years, Suffield's state reimbursement rate for excess costs related to out-of-district placements has fallen from 75% to 62%, while the cost of students needing legally required services has risen sharply. Special education outplacements account for 2.11% of the total increase to the proposed budget.

Health Insurance

After several “good years” of claims trends in the self-funded insurance partnership with the Town of Suffield, we have initially included a 20% increase to insurance premiums in our budget proposal. This recommendation comes from our health insurance provider and broker based on claims and macro health care trends. Health insurance by itself is responsible for 2.36% of the proposed budget increase. While this is an early projection, the financial impact is substantial.

Contracted Salaries

Compensation for educators and support staff increased throughout Connecticut due to shortages. This fact is reflected in recently negotiated contracts for our two largest bargaining groups. Settlements reached will help us remain competitive for talent in the area but salaries remain low in comparison to other towns. Our staff is our greatest asset and we want to continue to hire and retain the very best. Salaries add 3.11% to the proposed budget.

Inflation continues to push costs for goods and services higher. That said, the increase to all other aspects of the proposed budget is 0.76% despite a national inflation rate of 2.7%.

The budget presented includes reductions from the prior year level in many line items and excludes a number of requests for many supplies, equipment, services, technology and staffing that were denied. Three certified educator positions were eliminated. Despite the increases in this proposal, Suffield continues to rank well below average in spending in comparison to other districts in our DRG and around the state.

We continue to look for ways to reduce the overall budget and will make necessary adjustments as the budget process unfolds and more information becomes available. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

Matthew Dunbar
Superintendent

 

Budget Documents

Please Note: These dates are subject to change. Official notices will be posted on the Town of Suffield website.