Nearly 5% School Budget Increase Approved By Enfield Board Of Education

ENFIELD, CT — The Enfield Board of Education has approved its proposed 2026–27 operating budget, sending a nearly $83.6 million spending plan to the Town Council after weeks of public discussion and internal revisions.

The board voted to adopt an $83,578,111.58 budget, representing a 4.97 percent increase over the current fiscal year.

Board members described the proposal as a necessary step in rebuilding Enfield Public Schools, while acknowledging it does not restore every program or position previously reduced.

What The Budget Funds

Administrators said the plan was constructed to align directly with the district’s improvement priorities and to be financially sustainable long-term.

Among the key components:

• Maintaining grade-level team structures at JFK Middle School.
• Expanding elementary academic supports.
• Increasing staffing support for multilingual learners amid rising enrollment.
• Reestablishing staffing in the high school Career Center to strengthen college and career readiness efforts.
• Continuing restorative practices and attendance initiatives aimed at reducing suspensions and chronic absenteeism.

District leadership emphasized that salaries and benefits remain the primary drivers of the increase, consistent with past budgets.

Bipartisan Support

Board members from across political perspectives voiced support for the final proposal, describing months of collaboration, revisions and line-by-line review.

Several members also credited the district’s student representatives, whose survey data and testimony about college and career readiness influenced discussion.

Next Steps

The proposed budget now moves to the Enfield Town Council, which has final authority over school funding. The council is expected to begin its review later this spring.

Residents are encouraged to review the budget materials and watch the full meeting as the funding process continues.