21 May—This is the apologia from Region 20’s new superintendent about the embattled regional school board’s revised budget that reduces the one that had been handily defeated in the 6 May referendum by 0.06 percent. That’s right, six one hundredths of one percent. No kidding. The new bare-bones budget—aren’t all budgets bare-bones?— includes substantial personnel cuts but makes up for them by . . . let the super explain.

In all events, this iteration of the RSD 20 budget reflects a lapse in due diligence of the region’s administration (including the former superintendent, whom it’s easy to blame for anything and everything in his absence) and board in little things like contractual commitments, resulting in the sizable “required severance payments” the new super refers to. Were the four soon-to-be-former administrators necessary, for instance? Among other things, of course.

It certainly would be easy to vote down the revised, redirected Region 20 budget in next month’s referendum. But then what? Keep in mind that a good compromise leaves everybody pissed off.

So here’s the well-crafted apologia:

May 20, 2025

Dear Region 20 Community,

Last night, the Region 20 Board of Education voted to adopt a revised budget increase of 4.73% for the 2025-2026 school year. This figure is similar to the budget that failed in the May 6, 2025, referendum which included a proposed increase of 4.79%. However, there are significant differences between these two budget proposals.

The 4.73% budget adopted last night includes the addition of the $1,000,000 in capital expenses required by the Education Plan. However, when the $1,000,000 of capital expenditures are not included in the calculation, the newly adopted budget represents an increase of only 2.30%. This reduction resulted from almost 2.5% in reductions in several categories, but staffing is the primary source of cuts. This is because staffing represents 80% of the costs for school systems. The revised budget includes 26 staff reductions since July 1, 2024. This is a very significant reduction. I see no avenue for further staff cuts without harming the quality of our school system or making substantial changes to the number and structure of our schools, which would require agreement from all four member towns in Region 20.

The 4.79% budget that failed in the referendum on May 5th did not include $1,000,000 in funding for capital improvements. This failed budget was predicated on the assumption that the district would receive permission to borrow up to $3,500,000 to address the district’s $2,300,000 operating deficit and $1,129,866 in capital needs.

Last night’s revised budget accomplished long-term savings by eliminating the Assistant Superintendent, Executive Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent, and Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Services. Eliminating these positions right-sizes our administration and places the district on a sustainable fiscal footing. Required severance payments mitigate much of the savings in the Fiscal Year (FY) 26 budget, but reducing these positions decreases the FY27 budget by an estimated $462,000.

The revised budget adopted last night anticipates that the operating deficit of approximately $2,300,000 will be resolved during the current fiscal year. This is important because if these funds must be added to the adopted revised FY26 budget, it would likely raise the district’s Minimum Budget Requirement (MBR) for future budget cycles. It is understood that addressing the shortfall in this budget cycle does not add to the MBR. In a recent meeting with the First Selectman, we discussed how this deficit might be addressed without borrowing and how an additional appropriation will need to be made to resolve the deficit. The consensus was to ask the Board of Education to consider a very lean operating budget, which included the required one-million-dollar capital expenditures as required by our Education Plan. Last night, the Board adopted a lean operating budget and included the capital expenses.

On Thursday evening, I plan to share an accounting of the $2,300,000 deficit with the Board of Education and make this information available to the public. The Board of Education will consider returning the budget request to a referendum vote.

We have taken bold steps to right-size our administration, develop a lean operating budget that includes capital costs, and engage in plans to address the deficit without costly borrowing to meet our community’s expectations. I hope the community joins me in rallying around our schools, supporting our students, and planning for the bright future they deserve.

Regards,
Jeffrey A. Villar, Ph.D.
Superintendent