Ridgefield School Board Approves 2027-28 Calendar, Repeals Four Policies Amid Budget Review

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield Board of Education unanimously approved the 2027-28 school calendar and repealed four student-related policies Tuesday, Oct. 13, while also accepting a first-quarter financial report on the district's $123.8 million operating budget.

The actions were approved through the board's first use of a consent agenda, which allows members to vote on multiple items together. No member requested a separate discussion of any item.

The board also unanimously accepted its first-quarter financial report following a presentation by Superintendent Susie Da Silva, who outlined changes planned for the district's financial reporting practices.

Vice Chair Jonathan Paradiso presided in the absence of Chair Tina Malhotra.

New School Calendar Approved

Under the approved 2027-28 calendar, students in kindergarten through ninth grade will begin classes Aug. 31, 2027. Students in grades 10 through 12 will begin Sept. 1.

The calendar includes a February recess Feb. 21-25, 2028, and spring recess April 10-14. The scheduled final day of school is June 14, 2028, subject to weather-related adjustments.

The calendar provides 181 instructional days for students and 187 working days for teachers.

Related: Ridgefield Schools Review K-12 Writing Instruction, Launch Technology And AI Oversight Plan

The board also repealed four policies adopted in 2011: Student Safety (5142), Relations with Non-Custodial Parents (5142.1), Safety/Student Dismissal Precautions (5142.2), and Student Insurance (5143.1).

At a previous meeting, the Policy Committee recommended rescinding the policies following a legal review by Shipman & Goodwin. The committee said the policies were not legally required and that several of their provisions were addressed by other policies, court orders or school operating procedures.

The consent agenda also included approval of minutes from the board's Sept. 23 meeting and two Sept. 28 meetings.

District Reviews $123.8 Million Budget

Da Silva told the board that, as of Sept. 30, approximately $22.2 million of the district's $123.8 million fiscal 2027 operating budget had been spent, with another $88.4 million encumbered, or committed to anticipated expenses.

That left a reported balance of approximately $13.2 million, but Da Silva cautioned that the figure should not be considered a projected surplus.

She explained that some expected expenses, including substitute coverage, vacant positions, stipends and transportation costs, had not yet been fully recorded as commitments.

The report identified 20 district vacancies, including two teachers, two custodians, 10 special education paraeducators and six supervisory paraeducators. Da Silva also said the administration was holding off on filling two additional positions.

Related: Ridgefield Schools Report Enrollment Below Projections

The administrative salary account showed a projected shortfall of approximately $28,800, which Da Silva attributed to an overlap between two educational technology directors and a contractual vacation payout.

Da Silva said the board will receive monthly financial reports, with formal quarterly reviews and votes. The administration also plans to examine ways to present prior-year spending, projected year-end expenditures and changes in budget balances more clearly.

She said the district hopes to formalize an improved reporting process by the end of the school year.

The discussion followed the district's September review of a previously unreported fiscal 2026 deficit, which was ultimately resolved into a reported $37,072 year-end surplus.

Teacher Turnover And Recruitment Examined

Director of Personnel Karen Dewing presented a review of teacher recruitment, retention and turnover.

According to the district's report, 45 educators had left or taken full-year leaves for the 2026-27 school year as of Oct. 1, including 36 resignations, six retirements and three departures classified as leaves or other reasons.

The district recorded 36 such departures in 2025-26, 38 in 2024-25 and 45 in 2023-24.

Dewing said the figures were consistent with the district's longer-term turnover patterns. She also discussed recruitment practices, teacher retirement eligibility, professional development and employee feedback.

See Also: Ridgefield Selectpersons Approve Public Safety Committee's Revised Charge, Review School Space Request

Board members raised questions about retention, the availability of qualified teachers and the district's ability to remain competitive in recruiting educators.

Da Silva said state-level efforts to make teacher certification and training more affordable could help address recruitment challenges. Dewing said Connecticut has made changes to certification and permitting procedures that have expanded hiring options for districts.

School Construction And Repairs Reviewed

Ridgefield Public Schools Director of Facilities Joe Morits presented an overview of summer construction, maintenance and improvement projects across the district.

The work included gym floor refinishing and electrical improvements at Ridgefield High School; locker upgrades at East Ridge Middle School; renovation of a large-group instructional space at Scotts Ridge Middle School; and gym and bathroom improvements at several elementary schools.

Other projects included work at the Veterans Park Elementary School auditorium, playground improvements and security upgrades.

Morits also reviewed projects coordinated with the town, including a portion of the Ridgefield High School roof replacement and improvements near the school's community entrance.

He said the district encountered challenges involving unexpected repairs, supply deliveries, scheduling and weather.

Board Reviews Governance And Long-Term Priorities

Board members discussed an annual governance checklist intended to track deadlines and responsibilities, including budget development, superintendent evaluation, facilities planning and financial reporting.

Members suggested adding more detail about the timing of budget reviews and clarifying responsibilities associated with facilities planning.

The board also reviewed proposed focus areas for the 2026-27 school year, including financial transparency, budget credibility and long-term facilities planning.

Additional subjects raised for consideration included a possible school-day cellphone policy and improvements to the board's website.

Special Education Costs Raise Budget Concerns

A major concern in the financial review was special education spending.

Da Silva said the district's approximately $7.08 million budget for special education services, excluding staff salaries, already had about $8.71 million in expenditures and commitments as of Sept. 30. That represents a shortfall of approximately $1.63 million.

She attributed the pressure primarily to tuition and settlement costs exceeding budgeted amounts.

The district expects approximately $1.22 million in state excess cost reimbursements, although Da Silva said the amount has not been finalized. Those reimbursements would reduce the larger negative balance shown in the report but would not eliminate the $1.63 million shortfall she identified.

Paradiso expressed concern about the size of the shortfall and asked how the district would respond if it could not fully offset the additional expenses.

Da Silva acknowledged that the $1.63 million figure required close attention and said the administration would continue examining other budget accounts for potential offsets.

The board took no separate vote on additional special education funding during the meeting.

The meeting was held at the Board of Education offices, 90 East Ridge Road. Board proceedings are available through the district's Board of Education YouTube channel.