During Monday’s Board of Education meeting, the Board adopted the proposed School Year 2026 budget. They reduced the Superintendent’s proposed budget to $119,885,958, a 4.21% increase from last year. The vote was eight in favor and one opposed.
Before voting, Board members expressed their commitment to keeping students as their “North Stars” while being fiscally responsible. They considered multiple motions to amend the Superintendent’s proposed budget. These discussions included removing the reduction of Pay to Play fees for RHS athletics, postponing the hiring of a teacher for Academically Intellectually Gifted students, and not adding a Social Emotional Dean at the middle school level. They also considered budget additions, including more elementary school psychologists and another elementary math coach—none of these motions for cuts or additions passed.
Ultimately, the Board voted to decrease the Superintendent’s proposed budget by a total of $258,342. The reductions included eliminating $100,000 in technology support for the middle school electronic music pathway and reducing an anticipated retirement or 1.0 FTE at RHS, along with the corresponding health insurance costs totaling $158,342. The Superintendent stated, “While this reduction comes with risk, should it come to fruition, the impact on class size at RHS is likely to be minimal.”
Once the Boards of Selectpersons and Finance finalize the town budget, Ridgefield residents will be asked to vote through referendum on May 13 at Yanity Gym.