The Board of Education got its first look at a proposed $2,658,868 budget for 2026-2027 when Superintendent Kevin Chase reviewed it with them Tuesday night. The board is expected to act on the budget next Wednesday before its formal presentation to the Board of Finance on March 10.
The budget reflects a 4.47 percent increase, or $113,665, over current spending to educate an anticipated student body of 58 children, three more than current enrollment.
The funds will pay for special education services for 11 students, curriculum materials and resources, building maintenance, and contractual agreements with faculty and staff. Non-negotiable contractual increases total $119,643—up $48,440 for teachers, $3,000 for teacher substitutes, $7,000 for legal fees, $8,242 for utilities and $2,800 for professional services.
These increases are offset by a $2,800 reduction for textbook and workbooks, a $2,250 reduction for the hours worked by the office clerk and a $15,000 reduction in special education transportation costs, for a total of $32,627.
New items are a half-time intervention paraeducator to support students at $5,471, development for staff at $4,000, new shelving for the library at $1,746 and new progress reports/student data support at $3,541, for a total of $14,758.
Even though the 2026-2027 budget is higher than the current budget, thus meeting the state’s Minimum Budget Requirement (MBR), it will not settle the town’s current dispute with the state Board of Education. The MBR requires school districts to spend as much or more than the previous year’s budget. Special education costs dropped for the current year in Norfolk, resulting in a $58,000 reduction in spending. This violated the MBR, according to the state Board of Education.
“That’s a separate issue,” said Case, who is still seeking a meeting with state officials. “We wouldn’t repay that until next year.”