Norwich Board of Ed reveals 4.95% budget increase amid rising special education costs

The Norwich Public Schools Board of Education convened on April 8, 2025, to discuss critical budgetary matters and student performance metrics. The meeting began with a review of the approved budget, which reflects a 4.95% increase, amounting to a total of $100,420,901 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This increase is primarily attributed to rising tuition costs for Norwich Free Academy (NFA) and Griswold.

During the meeting, the board highlighted the positive growth in early literacy skills among students in grades K through 5, as evidenced by national assessments. Over 20% of the student population is reportedly achieving above-average growth in key literacy areas, including letter identification and comprehension. The board expressed optimism about continued improvements as the school year progresses.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on special education funding, which has seen a substantial rise in costs. The board noted that the excess cost reimbursement rate has decreased from 64.19% to 62.2%, impacting the district's budget. The anticipated funding from the state remains uncertain, with discussions ongoing regarding legislative relief that could potentially increase funding for special education.

The board also addressed the implications of the Governor's proposed budget, which includes a $2 million increase in the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grant for Norwich. However, concerns were raised about the stability of this funding and its potential impact on future budgets.

In terms of staffing, the board discussed necessary reductions due to budget constraints, including the elimination of several positions across various departments. The anticipated savings from these reductions are expected to help mitigate the budget deficit.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to closely monitor legislative developments that could affect funding and to continue evaluating the budget as the school year progresses. The board plans to reconvene for further discussions as new information becomes available, particularly regarding state funding and student enrollment trends.