Ridgefield Sup't Proposes $103.3 Million Budget, A Hike Of 3.45%

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Superintendent Susie Da Silva is proposing an 2021-22 schools operating budget of $103,364,072, an increase of $3,451,920, or 3.45 percent, over the current year's plan.

Salaries and benefits make up 80 percent of the total district budget. The rest comes from transportation (6 percent), contracted services (2 percent) supplies and equipment (2 percent) and "all other" (10 percent).

According to Da Silva's presentation to the Board of Education this month, the district is projecting fewer students in the 2021-22 school year, with enrollment expected to drop from its current 4,559 to 4,439 by September. Ridgefield is spending $19,545 per student in the current school year. That places it 58th in the category among the state's 169 towns.

New staff positions proposed by Da Silva include a district-wide director of Elementary Curriculum at $173,853 annually, and a Special Education teacher at Ridgefield High School at a salary of $77,000.

All budget centers in the proposed spending plan increase, with the exception of contracted services, which would see a drop of $434,000, or 15.25 percent.

New line items this fiscal year include COVID-19 expenses, such as personal protection equipment.

Da Silva's presentation calls the proposed budget "fiscally responsible" and "the lowest recommended Superintendent's budget in five years following an incredibly tight budget year for the school system."

"The Superintendent’s proposed budget provides consistency and predictability for students, faculty and staff, with the focus on a high quality, assured social, emotional, and academic experience for all learners," the presentation reads.

The Board of Education will host a full-day online workshop on Saturday, open to the public. The BOE is scheduled to vote on the budget on Feb. 22, after which it will be sent to the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen.