Ridgefield Board Of Education Reviews 4.62% Budget Increase, Advances Policies

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield Board of Education unanimously accepted Superintendent Susie Da Silva’s proposed 2026–27 operating budget on Jan. 12, advancing a $123.8 million spending plan that reflects a 4.62 percent increase over the current year, driven largely by contractual costs, special education needs and enrollment-based staffing adjustments.

Da Silva presented the recommended budget as a preliminary proposal, emphasizing that 3.47 percent of the increase represents “rollover” costs required to maintain existing programs, salaries, benefits, transportation and utilities, while 1.15 percent reflects targeted new investments. The board will conduct a full cost-center review during a Jan. 24 “Super Saturday” work session, followed by a public hearing Feb. 7 at East Ridge Middle School.

The superintendent said the proposal balances a slight enrollment decline with rising fixed and mandated costs, particularly in special education, transportation and employee benefits. Projected enrollment for 2026–27 is 4,313 students, down from earlier projections but slightly above the district’s Oct. 1 count of 4,280 students.

Under the proposal, the district would reduce six elementary classroom sections based on enrollment projections while adding targeted staff, including a world language teacher, special education personnel, behavioral specialists and support positions tied to student services and facilities needs. The net staffing change reflects a reduction of 6.1 full-time equivalent positions when enrollment-driven reductions are factored in.

Da Silva said more than 78 percent of the budget is allocated to salaries and benefits, and that special education remains one of the district’s most volatile cost drivers due to out-of-district tuition, transportation and mandated services. The budget anticipates approximately $1.2 million in state excess cost reimbursement for special education, an increase from prior estimates.

Earlier in the meeting, the board approved the Dec. 8, 2025, meeting minutes by unanimous vote and amended the agenda to remove consideration of an athletic donation that was not ready for action.

The board also took several policy actions, unanimously rescinding three outdated policies related to bullying, corporal punishment and gang activity, and approving revisions to policies on hazing and student use of personal technology devices. A proposed revision to the video surveillance policy was withdrawn by unanimous vote and sent back to committee for further clarification, particularly regarding recordings on school buses.

In financial business, the board unanimously accepted the December financial report, which showed 96.7 percent of the district’s $119.8 million budget expended or obligated through the second quarter. Officials reported higher-than-expected special education costs but said additional state reimbursement is expected to offset part of the increase. The board also approved a $1,290 budget transfer within Ridgefield High School athletics to purchase additional cheerleading uniforms.

The meeting concluded with a brief correspondence report and unanimous approval to adjourn.