Budget Woes: Southington Schools $340K In The Red For This Year: BoE

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The Southington Board of Education outlined a projected $340,000 operating shortfall for fiscal year 2025–26 during its April 16 meeting, prompting discussion of cost controls, service delivery, and advocacy for additional state funding.

Last year, the Southington Town Council adopted the Southington Board of Education budget of $121,897,448 for the 2025-26 school year.

That figure represented a 5.12% increase over the previous year's budget (2024-25).

Jennifer S. Mellitt, the Southington School System's director of business and finance, detailed several factors contributing to the projected deficit.

Those factors, she said, included increased Family Medical Leave Act absences, higher costs for outplaced special education students, and a lower-than-expected state reimbursement rate for special education.

She also cited accumulated sick leave payouts for retirees as a pressure on the budget.

To close the gap, district officials are considering delaying or reducing planned expenditures.

Proposed steps include canceling Chromebook replacements, pushing math consumable workbooks and i-Ready software costs into the next budget cycle, and continuing to review grant usage.

Mellitt said the district’s primary contingency measure is to hold schools to 75% of their supply budgets during the first months of the school year.

Board members emphasized that budget reductions would have tangible impacts.

“Reductions in the budget have consequences,” school board member Joseph Baczewski said, adding that when the budget is presented to the town, “the numbers are not arbitrary.”

He also raised concerns about negative meal debt and said he would like to see more healthful food options offered.

Board member Robert Brown urged residents to contact state legislators about school funding, calling public advocacy critical as the district navigates the shortfall.

Special education costs drew extended discussion.

While board member Cecil Whitehead was not present, his previously stated position on reducing outplacements was referenced.

Southington Superintendent of Schools Steven Madancy said that, when appropriate, serving students within the district could avoid costs, including adding staff during the year to meet needs.

However, he noted that some students require services beyond what the district can provide.

“There are some children whose needs are significant enough; unfortunately, Southington does not have a program able to meet all their needs,” Madancy said.

Baczewski agreed that educating students within their home community is preferable when feasible.

Separately, Mellitt referenced a spend-down plan for the district’s fund balance, noting it is distinct from the Southington Board of Education’s operating budget.

No formal votes were taken during the discussion. Officials indicated they will continue refining cost-saving measures and monitoring expenses as the fiscal year progresses.

For the minutes of the April 16 Southington Board of Education meeting, click on this link.