Amity Board of Education Debates Role and Risk in 2026-27 Budget Approval

WOODBRIDGE, CT - After more than three hours of discussion on March 9, the Amity Board of Education approved a 2026–27 budget revision that will now go to voters in all three district towns on May 5.

The approved budget represents a 1.2% year-on-year increase and passed 9–0, with three abstentions. One member, Donna Schlank (Bethany), was absent.

Over the course of the meeting, Board members debated the district’s financial approach and expanding the Board’s role in operational decisions, particularly as several members pushed to reduce the proposed increase by relying on anticipated year-end surpluses.

The Board’s Role and the Middle School Schedule

An early point of discussion centered on a proposal to align schedules across Amity’s two middle schools consistent with the high school. Amity Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Byars explained the change would improve coordination of shared resources and expand academic offerings, including adding a world language option (French) and making it more flexible to schedule support services, such as tutoring or special education.

During the discussion, new Board member Christian Young (Orange) made a motion to require formal Board approval for schedule changes, which, as Dr. Byars informed the Board, occur frequently. Several members noted this was a departure from precedent. Chair Paul Davis (Orange) added that this would warrant legal review.

Carol Oladele (Woodbridge) expressed concern about making a broader governance change during a discussion about the school schedule. The proposal ultimately failed on a tied vote (see chart below), and the board continued without changing its current practice.

The Superintendent’s Budget Proposal and Rabuse Amendment

Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Byars presented a budget that had been reduced to a 1.35% increase following review by the Amity Finance Committee, noting it as the lowest increase in the state.

An amendment by new Board member Meghan Rabuse (Orange) sought to lower the increase to 1.0% by removing approximately $200,000 from salaries and purchased services, based on her analysis of unspent funds in recent years. She argued the district could reduce planned spending in certain areas without affecting operations, although Dr. Byars cautioned that a reduction to the salary line item would eliminate staff.

Other members supported the idea of accepting greater financial uncertainty in exchange for a lower budget.

“For $200,000, I would be willing to take the risk,” said Michael McDonough (Orange), suggesting the district could seek additional funding via referendum if it ran short of funds.

Others urged a more cautious approach. Davis said focusing too heavily on minimizing the increase could send the wrong message about the district’s needs.

“Sometimes it takes more to do more,” he said, noting that staffing additions are typically made only when “desperately needed.”

Young disagreed with the implication that some Board members are looking to spend less, stating, “all I’ve heard here was people saying, ‘let’s have less of a surplus.’”

The Rabuse Amendment passed 6-5, with one abstention.

Jacquet Amendment and Budget Vote

After the Rabuse Amendment, the Board approved a second amendment introduced by new Board member Jennifer Blando Jacquet (Orange), which set the increase at 1.2% and limited reductions to discretionary risk-related items.

Prior to voting in favor, Young explained his support, expressing that the amendment acknowledged ongoing surpluses were an issue.

The amendment passed with 9-0, with three abstentions - Cathy Bradley (Orange), Dana Lombardi (Orange), and Donna Schuster (Woodbridge). The final budget passed by the same tally.

Town Impacts and Referendum

Because the Amity budget is apportioned based on student enrollment, the impact will vary by town:

• Bethany: +2.88%
• Orange: −0.62%
• Woodbridge: +0.02%

Voters in all three towns will decide the budget at referendum on May 5.

Vote Summary

The following members voted in favor of a new practice requiring board approval for schedule changes, and to lower the Superintendent’s proposed budget to +1.0%:

• Cath Bradley (Orange)
• Dana Lombardi (Orange)
• Michael McDonough (Orange)
• Meghan Rabuse (Orange)
• Donna Schuster (Woodbridge)
• Christian Young (Orange)

The following members voted not to require board approval for schedule changes, and against lowering the Superintendent’s proposed budget to +1.0%:

• Autumn Cloud-Ingram (Bethany)
• Paul Davis (Orange)
• Jennifer Blando Jacquet (Orange)
• Sudhir Karunakaran (Woodbridge)
• Patrick Reed (Woodbridge)

Key votes are shown below, along with any commentary explaining their vote (see the minutes of the meeting for a full rundown of votes)