Cromwell Board of Finance opens public hearing on $42.5 million school budget
Board of Finance · Meeting of April 2, 2026
Cromwell Board of Finance hears proposed $42.5 million school budget and town capital requests at public hearing. Board of Finance Chair John Ireland presided April 2 as Superintendent Dr. Macri presented a $42,482,767 Board of Education budget for fiscal year 2026-27, a 4.64 percent increase trimmed down from an initial 7.2 percent departmental ask.
The most dramatic story of the budget cycle was health insurance: Cigna's initial renewal rate came in at 52.42 percent, the district went to bid, and ultimately all unions agreed to move to the state partnership plan for Middlesex County, which came in at roughly 11.5 percent and held the final benefits increase to 23.71 percent. Director of Student Services Siri O'Leary said the district's in-district special education programs — including the Effective School Solutions clinician model at $439,000 — have likely avoided $400,000 to $500,000 in out-of-district placements. Town Manager Salvatore presented a general fund capital request of $1,956,645, flagging solid waste disposal, rising electricity costs, and two open collective bargaining negotiations as ongoing budget pressures.
No public comment was offered and the hearing closed at 7:07 p.m.; budget workshops are scheduled for April 7 and, if needed, April 9.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 998 words
Source: the Board of Finance meeting of April 2, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
The Full Article
CROMWELL — April 2, 2026 — The Cromwell Board of Finance opened a public hearing Thursday evening to receive budget presentations for the fiscal year 2026-27 general fund, with the Board of Education proposing a $42.48 million budget and town administration outlining a combined general fund capital and operating request.
Board of Finance Chair John Ireland presided over the hearing at Town Hall Council Chambers. The Board of Education's proposed budget of $42,482,767 represents a 4.64 percent increase over the prior year, or $1,882,767, after starting from an initial departmental request of 7.2 percent last October. No public comment was offered before the hearing closed at 7:07 p.m.
The Full Story
Superintendent Dr. Macri led the Board of Education presentation alongside her administrative team. She told the board that the budget process begins each October, when building principals and department directors submit requests. This year's process produced an initial figure of 7.2 percent growth, which the superintendent trimmed to 6.61 percent before the Board of Education further reduced it to the current 4.64 percent proposal.
Salaries and benefits together account for 76 percent of the education budget, Dr. Macri said, and salary and benefit increases alone exceed the total net budget increase — meaning reductions elsewhere absorbed the difference. The board eliminated proposed new certified teaching and stipend positions, saving $355,760, and cut support staff salaries by approximately $174,000. Capital outlay and technology purchases totaling $396,636 will be funded from prior-year surplus rather than new appropriations, reducing the net budget figure.
The health insurance picture dominated the benefits discussion. Michelle, the district's benefits administrator, told the board that Cigna's initial renewal rate came in at 52.42 percent — more than double what had been budgeted. After the district went out to bid, Cigna offered 33.47 percent, Anthem offered 31.89 percent, and the state partnership plan for Middlesex County came in at approximately 11.5 percent. All district unions agreed to move to the state partnership plan, and the Board of Education approved the change, bringing the final benefit-cost increase to 23.71 percent.
"We never anticipated that we would be having such a high number come from Cigna from its renewal rate." [00:15:49] — Michelle, district benefits administrator
Dr. McLean, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, presented student outcome data showing growth in Advanced Placement participation and performance, including a distinction for the share of graduates completing five or more AP courses. She said UConn has surpassed Central Connecticut State University as the top college destination for Cromwell graduates since 2022, and that students also attend Ivy League and "Little Ivy" institutions each year.
Director of Student Services Siri O'Leary outlined several in-district special education initiatives designed to reduce costly out-of-placements. The Effective School Solutions program, serving 30 students at the high school and middle school at a cost of approximately $439,000, she said has likely prevented between $400,000 and $500,000 in additional out-of-district placements. The Central Connecticut Transition Academy in Berlin, a collaborative program for students ages 18 to 22, costs approximately $200,000 to $230,000 annually compared to more than $60,000 per student in out-of-district tuition. The budget request includes two new registered behavior technician positions to support students at the elementary and middle school levels.
"Not an apples-to-apples comparison, but probably saved between, you know, another $400,000 to $500,000 in outplacements of those students that we've kept in through this high level of social work, clinical support, wraparound services." [00:23:45] — Siri O'Leary, Director of Student Services
Town Manager Salvatore then presented the municipal side of the budget. The combined general fund request is $1,956,645 in capital and $1,651,170 in Capital I funding, with the Board of Education portion totaling $466,004 of the capital figure. He noted that 75 percent of the town's operating budget, like the schools', sits in employee benefits. The town's health insurance costs came in at a 40 percent initial increase, he said, before any mitigation measures. The town manager highlighted library performance — 81 percent more circulation and 24 percent more visits than the Connecticut state average — and said the library is pursuing certification through a sustainable library initiative. He also noted that a new human resources department is being established following a charter change and that the town successfully locked in gasoline prices for the next fiscal year. Solid waste disposal, electricity rates, legal fees tied to active litigation, and two open collective bargaining negotiations were listed as ongoing budget watch items.
"As always, this budget was created with every effort to maintain programs, services to the community." [01:02:40] — Town Manager Salvatore
The current mill rate is 27.33 for the 2025-26 fiscal year, the town manager said, with a range over recent years from 26.16 to 31.68 mills and four revaluations during that period. No public comment was offered when Chair Ireland opened the floor, and the hearing was declared closed at 7:07 p.m. Budget workshops were scheduled to follow, with the next session set for Tuesday, April 7, at 6 p.m. at the Belden Room at Cromwell Belden Library and a possible follow-up session April 9 at Town Hall if needed.
Why It Matters
Cromwell residents face a proposed Board of Education budget of $42,482,767 — up $1,882,767 from the prior year — alongside a town general fund capital request of roughly $1.96 million. The shift to the state health insurance partnership plan is the largest single factor shaping the school budget and will affect all district employees beginning July 1. Two new registered behavior technician positions are embedded in the school request; if the budget is approved as proposed, those hires would move forward in the fall. The Board of Finance will hold workshops on April 7 and, if necessary, April 9 before setting a final budget for the annual town meeting vote.
Key Motions & Votes
No formal votes were taken at this meeting.
Source
Cromwell's community access TV: Board of Finance meeting, April 2, 2026