Board of Ed eyes 6% cost hike for coming school year

Board of Ed eyes 6% cost hike for coming school year

Housatonic Valley Regional High School

Peter Austin

FALLS VILLAGE — The Region One Board of Education is reviewing early 2026-27 budget numbers that indicate a 6% increase, or about $1.1 million, over the current fiscal year.

At the board’s regular meeting Monday, Feb. 2, Region One business manager Sam Herrick reported that the initial stages of crafting the new budget are underway.

Herrick said he and the board’s budget committee started at a 9% increase. At the Feb. 2 meeting the figure was 7.07%, and Herrick said Tuesday, Feb. 17 that the number was down to 6%.

The current budget is $18,485,210.

On Feb. 2, Herrick explained that Region One has contractual obligations — including salaries and benefits — that are up between 4% and 4.5%, and a health insurance increase of 13.5%. Together those two categories account for 53% of the increase.

Pupil Services, which includes special education, accounts for another 37% of the increase, mostly for outplacements and transportation.

“That gets you to 90%” of the increase, Herrick said, adding that supplies and equipment accounts for another 5%.

The budget committee and administrators are continuing to search for potential savings. Herrick said two retirements in the special education department could provide an opportunity to leave one position unfilled.

“There are a lot of things in play,” he said. “The goal is to reduce the budget and avoid impacting student learning.”

Herrick said the budget committee will present the budget proposal to the board in early April.

The public hearing will be held a couple of weeks after that, and the districtwide referendum will be on Tuesday, May 5.

Latest News

Alfred Lyon Ivry

Alfred Lyon Ivry

SALISBURY — Alfred Lyon Ivry, a long-time resident of Salisbury, and son of Belle (Malamud) and Morris Ivry, died in Bergen County, New Jersey, on Feb. 12 at the age of 91, surrounded by family members. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he was a graduate ofAbraham Lincoln High School and Brooklyn College, where he earned a B.A. in English literature and Philosophy and served as drama critic for the school paper.

Alfred earned a PhD in Medieval Jewish Philosophy from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts in 1963 and in 1971 was awarded a D. Phil in Medieval Islamic Philosophy from Oxford University, Linacre College.

Keep ReadingShow less

Alice Gustafson

Alice Gustafson

LAKEVILLE — Alice Gustafson (née Luchs), 106, of Lakeville, Connecticut, passed away on March 2, 2026. Born in Chicago on Dec. 15, 1919, Alice was raised between New York City, Florida and Lime Rock, where she graduated from Salisbury High School in 1937.

Alice’s career spanned roles at Conover-Mast Publications in New York City, The Lakeville Journal, the Interlaken Inn, and as a secretary to the past president of Smith College. In 1948, she married Herbert “Captain Gus” Gustafson at Trinity Church in Lime Rock.

Keep ReadingShow less

Larry Power

Larry Power

LAKEVILLE — Larry Power passed away peacefully at home on March 9, 2026.

Larry was born at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City in 1939.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Carol Hoffman Matzke

Carol Hoffman Matzke

KENT — Carol L. Hoffman Matzke passed away peacefully with family by her side on Feb. 22, 2026.

She was a beloved mother and stepmother, daughter, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, community member, and friend.Her presence will be deeply missed. She had a beautiful way of loving, accepting, and supporting all the many members of her vast family, and of welcoming others into her family circle. She was intelligent and well-informed about history and current events, and she took a genuine interest in knowing and understanding everyone she met, from friends and family right down to the stranger who stood next to her in line at the grocery store. Kind and generous, her family and friends knew that she would do anything in her power to help and support them.

Keep ReadingShow less

In remembrance: Grace E. Golden

In remembrance:
Grace E. Golden

As we reflect on the first year of our mom’s passing we can be grateful to God for having the best mother and grandmother of all.

We miss you every day and still struggle with your loss.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cornwall signs contract for new fire trucks

From left, is First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Dick Sears and CVFD Chief Will Russ signed the contract for two new fire trucks March 3.

Provided

CORNWALL — Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department and the Board of Selectmen signed the contract for two new fire trucks Tuesday, March 3.

The custom rescue pumper and mini pumper will be manufactured by Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, located in North Attleboro, Massachusetts.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.