Stamford Board Of Education Approves $350.5 Million Budget

STAMFORD, CT — The Stamford Board of Education last week approved an operating budget of $350.5 million for 2025-2026. The spending plan represents an increase of $5.9 percent over the current budget.

"The board voted to add $1.9 million in funding for school support staff, middle school family advocates, and school lunches to the superintendent’s proposed budget that was presented in January," Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools Dr. Tamu Lucero said in her weekly message to the community. "The BOE also approved an additional $1.5 million in funding needed to cover the state’s updated insurance premium cost projections."

The proposed school board budget will now be reviewed by the Board of Finance and ultimately the Board of Representatives. The bodies can approve the budget as submitted, or they can make cuts.

"Any budget cuts made by the BOF or BOR will have to be reconciled by the BOE during budget reallocation in May," Lucero added. "For instance, should the city boards provide SPS with only a 3 percent increase for FY26—which is the 10-year average increase provided by the city boards—the BOE will need to cut approximately $10 million in programs, services, and staff in May. "

Lucero went on to say that the community's support of the operating budget "will be imperative in the weeks ahead."