Ridgefield Selectpersons Give Frosty Response To 4.62% Schools Budget Request

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Board of Selectpersons on March 2 signaled it will recommend a lower increase than requested for the Ridgefield Board of Education’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, with several members coalescing around a roughly 3.45 percent target when the budget moves to the Board of Finance.

The joint discussion followed the Board of Education’s recent 6-3 vote to adopt a $125.3 million operating budget, representing a 4.62 percent increase over the current spend.

Education Leaders Defend Their Proposal

Board of Education Chair Tina Malhotra told selectpersons the adopted budget reflects months of public meetings, questioning and debate.

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“The board took its fiduciary responsibility very seriously throughout this process,” Malhotra said, describing late-night discussions and risk analysis before landing on the final number.

She outlined the components of the increase, saying 3.22 percent represents “rollover” costs — contractual obligations, legal and compliance requirements, and other unavoidable drivers — while 1.47 percent reflects new investments, including staffing and continued phased initiatives such as elementary world language expansion and pay-to-participate funding.

Superintendent Susie Da Silva said the budget contains no surprises and largely reflects commitments already communicated publicly.

“I don’t think that there’s anything here that the board or the community didn’t know was coming,” she said.

Da Silva described multiple cost pressures, including special education volatility, utilities, transportation, fuel and legal expenses. She also highlighted a $450,000 “turnover” assumption — savings anticipated when higher-salaried staff retire and are replaced by lower-cost hires — warning that the district may not achieve similar savings in future years.

"Last year, I think we made it by about $30,000; this year will be very tough to make it," Da Silva said. "I am 100 percent certain we will not even come close to it next year, fiscal year '28."

Enrollment, Facilities And Cost Growth Questioned

Several selectpersons raised concerns about long-term sustainability, particularly in light of enrollment declines over the past two decades.

Selectperson Maureen Kozlark said the town has lost approximately 1,200 students since the mid-2000s and questioned whether facilities consolidation or “bricks and mortar” adjustments should be examined instead of reducing programs.

“I just don’t know how many more times we need to say it, because the 4.6 is a very, very high increase,” Kozlark said.

Da Silva responded that enrollment cannot be viewed in isolation, citing increased student needs, special education mandates and intervention services delivered in smaller group settings.

“There are requirements and, quite frankly, best practices,” she said, noting that instructional models and space utilization have changed significantly over time. "People shouldn't be in closets teaching kids."

She also referenced a recent facilities utilization report, saying school buildings are operating near capacity when modern program needs are considered.

Mill Rate Concerns Surface

Selectperson Sean Connelly expressed concern about the potential tax impact when school spending is combined with rising municipal costs and debt service.

“I’m very worried about mill rate numbers over 4 percent,” Connelly said, noting that overall budget growth must be viewed through the lens of property tax implications for residents.

He cited increasing debt service and other municipal obligations as additional pressures that limit flexibility.

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Kozlark said the Board of Finance had previously modeled a range closer to 3 percent as a level the community might reasonably absorb.

“They’ve done their analytics so well over the last couple years,” she said. “If they give us a number, that’s kind of where we should have tried to come in.”

Malhotra responded that earlier guidance was not presented as a strict mandate but rather as modeling for discussion.

Members pointed repeatedly to a figure closer to 3 percent as the level they believe is more sustainable given current economic conditions and anticipated mill rate impact. The board ultimately voted to recommend a 3.45 percent increase to the BoE budget.

Next Steps

The Board of Selectpersons will forward its recommendation to the Board of Finance, which will hold further budget hearings before setting the final spending plan and tax rate proposal for public vote later this spring.