01/12/2026
Meeting Highlights
2026-2027 Budget Proposal: Superintendent Dr. Kevin Smith presented a $100,459,485 budget proposal, representing a 3.6% increase [35:44]. This aligns with the Board of Finance's guidance and maintains Wilton’s status as having the lowest per-pupil expenditure in its District Reference Group (DRG) [16:06].
Special Education Cost Avoidance: The district has saved significant funds by keeping students in-district through programs like Genesis and Community Steps. The "cost avoidance" compared to out-of-district placement ranges from $61,000 to $145,000 per student [24:39].
New Transportation Savings: By purchasing a district-owned van and hiring a driver last year, the district saw remarkable savings. The 2026-2027 budget proposes adding a second van and driver to further reduce total transportation costs [26:34].
2026 Graduation Date: The official graduation date for the Wilton High School Class of 2026 was set for Saturday, June 13, 2026 [53:37].
Parent Engagement: During public comment, a resident urged the board to increase real-time volunteer opportunities (like "mystery readers") and improve digital communication for board meetings by using Parent Square [02:25].
