Windsor Budget Heads Back To Voters Tuesday

WINDSOR, CT — Windsor voters will head back to the polls Tuesday to decide a revised town budget after rejecting the first proposal earlier this month.

The referendum is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all regular polling locations, according to town budget materials.

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The first budget referendum failed June 2. Voters rejected the $158.3 million proposal by a vote of 2,079 to 1,752, according to results posted by the town.

After the failed vote, the Town Council reviewed the spending plan and made changes before sending a revised budget back to voters.

The revised budget totals $156,572,340, according to Windsor Connecticut Democrats. The group said the town budget was reduced by $5,276,210, including the use of $2.5 million in opening cash.

The revised plan carries a proposed mill rate of 28.88. A mill rate is used to calculate property taxes. A 28.88 mill rate means property owners pay $28.88 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.

Windsor Connecticut Democrats said the revised budget represents a 3 percent spending increase and a 1.51 percent change in the tax rate.

Much of the budget debate has centered on school spending. Windsor Connecticut Democrats said a $4 million cut had been requested for the Board of Education, but said that level of reduction would hurt the school system. The group said cutting $3 million more could affect classrooms and about 40 teaching positions.

Windsor Public Schools released additional materials saying the proposed 2026-27 Board of Education budget was reduced twice after Town Council requests.

According to the school district, the original proposed Board of Education budget carried a 4.97 percent increase over 2025-26. After two rounds of reductions totaling $1,350,121, the final proposed school budget reflects a 3.46 percent increase.

The school district said the reductions include staffing and program changes, operational savings and delayed initiatives.

Listed program reductions include the removal of 4.0 full-time equivalent elementary world language teachers, 1.0 FTE school social worker and 1.0 FTE band teacher for grades 3 through 5. The district also listed a reduction in paid substitute positions and said all schools would return to level funding.

Other listed reductions include technology, insurance, administrative assistance, major maintenance and instructional services cuts. The district also said “pay to play” would be implemented.

School officials said classroom instruction, special education services, student safety, mental health supports, competitive class sizes and core academic programming remain protected in the revised plan.

The district also pushed back on claims that officials refused to make cuts, saying the Board of Education reduced the proposed budget by more than $1.35 million following two Town Council reduction requests.

Absentee ballots are available, according to Windsor Connecticut Democrats.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 30.

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