Pomfret BOE Recap: The Budget Pressures Shaping Next School Year

At last night’s Board of Education meeting at Pomfret Community School, much of the discussion centered on the superintendent’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026–2027, alongside updates on finance, special education trends, facilities, and ongoing regional collaboration.

Here’s a clear breakdown of the key takeaways for the community.

Finance & Budget Management

The board approved $936,451.40 in bills for FY 2025–2026 through January 9th. These approvals covered accounts payable and payroll and were reviewed in detail during the Finance and Budget Committee meeting prior to the board meeting, allowing for smooth approval without delay. This reflects strong pre-meeting financial oversight and ensures district operations continue without interruption.

Despite the current budget freeze, the district is continuing essential maintenance and safety-related repairs. Items such as the kitchen hood fire suppression system and necessary faucet replacements were prioritized. The board affirmed that deferring critical maintenance would likely lead to higher future costs and potential safety concerns.

The Finance and Budget Committee is also investigating the status and procedures of the non-lapsing fund to clarify recordkeeping and determine if any adjustments or board actions are needed.

Special Education & Student Services

The district saw a notable increase of 7 new IEP referrals this month, bringing the total number of active cases to 66.

Importantly, four of these students transitioned from birth-to-three programs, meaning this growth is part of expected progression rather than a sudden spike in new enrollments. In addition, six students attending Rectory School are receiving speech services funded through IDEA proportionate share, which adds both cost and coordination complexity for the district.

An independent state review is anticipated in the coming years, but current compliance and instructional support were described as strong. The superintendent noted that staff performance in this area positions the district well for any future reviews.

Professional Development & Educational Programming

Teachers recently participated in a session led by a school psychologist from PD Monster, who provided 15 practical self-regulation and executive functioning strategies. Staff rated this as highly valuable, and it will guide professional development during half-day sessions scheduled for February 2nd and March 5th.

These strategies are aimed at improving student self-management and reducing behavioral disruptions across grade levels.

Facilities & Capital Projects

A facilities review found no major concerns. Attention is now turning to preparing grant proposals for the Playscape project, using cost data from nearby districts like Thompson and Woodstock for benchmarking.

The project will remain under the Facilities Committee until it reaches a point requiring formal board approval.

Proposed FY 2026–2027 Budget Overview

The superintendent presented a proposed budget of:

$12,181,091 — a 3.9% increase over the current budget of $11,722,872

This increase is largely driven by non-controllable costs:

• Health insurance: +$179,528 (18.40% increase)

• Tuition: +$154,861

• Transportation: +$128,077

These three items alone account for more than 100% of the total budget increase.

To offset this, the district reduced:

• 2.4 certified staff FTE (based on enrollment shifts and efficiencies)

• Professional development

• Instructional supplies

• Technology spending

Only 5% of the budget increase ($24,057) is considered controllable, leaving very little flexibility for unexpected needs.

The non-lapsing fund is currently depleted, increasing the risk if unforeseen expenses arise.

The superintendent asked board members to submit any budget questions with specific page citations ahead of the upcoming budget workshop to allow for efficient, focused discussion.

Cost Control Efforts Showing Results

The district’s Intensive Learning Program (ILP) and school social worker position have helped consolidate high-needs students in-district, reducing tuition and transportation costs. The part-time school psychologist (0.6 FTE), filled by a retiree working three days per week, continues to be a cost-effective solution.

Long-term planning conversations are underway to address trends in out-of-district placements and possible ILP expansion.

What’s Next

Several action items were identified:

• Collecting board budget questions for the workshop

• Clarifying non-lapsing fund procedures

• Preparing Playscape grant bids

• Finalizing the district climate plan for February

• Sending communication to families regarding spring conferences

• Ongoing monitoring of enrollment trends and staffing adjustments

Disclaimer: This summary is for informational purposes only. I am not speaking on behalf of the Pomfret Board of Education, and this is not an official meeting record.