R20 Board of Ed Budget Hearing: 4.24% Increase

4/20/2026 7:00pm

The Board held its annual budget hearing, as required by Connecticut General Statutes 10-51, in advance of the District Annual Meeting scheduled for May 7, 2026. Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Villar presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget of $44,555,698.43, which represents a 4.24% increase over the current fiscal year.

Villar outlined the budget development process and noted projected enrollment declines across all grade levels, including approximately 20 fewer students at the elementary level, six at the middle school, and 13 at the high school. He also referenced approximately $1.7 million in reductions made in the prior year’s budget and said the district continues to address the loss of capacity equivalent to 29.5 positions.

He detailed staffing adjustments included in the proposed budget. Reductions consist of a vacant custodial position at Plumb Hill Middle School, a clerical position at Litchfield Center School, one elementary teaching position, and one secondary choral position. Additions include a full-time elementary intervention coordinator, four educational assistants to support intervention efforts, and a high school science teacher.

Villar also described changes made to accommodate approximately $1 million in capital expenditures within the budget. These included removing planned purchases and upgrades, such as smart boards, improvements to the access control system, and several extra-duty stipends, resulting in more than $900,000 in reductions before the budget was presented to the Board.

He noted that all supporting budget documentation is available on the district’s website.

During the public comment portion of the hearing, five residents addressed the Board. Warren resident Kristin Newton voiced support for district staff and encouraged approval of the budget, stating, “We are a community, we are a team.” Goshen resident Gretchen Ewers commented on the district’s intervention system, suggesting it “is not what it should be,” while also thanking the Board for presenting what she described as a lean budget. Warren resident Mary Stolle suggested providing a stipend to the cheerleading coach at Plumb Hill, stating that the coach had been working without compensation. Another Warren resident raised concerns about school nurse pay, citing a daily rate of $466 and stating, “that seems like quite a bit.” Villar responded that those salaries are set through negotiated contracts.

Following public comment, Villar said that while contract discussions are a necessary part of the process, “our staff are excellent” and “deserve our respect.”

The Annual District Meeting is scheduled for May 4, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at Lakeview High School.

3/26/2026, 7 PM Regular Meeting

Present: Chair Tiffany Parkhouse, Vice Chair Ashley Westfall, and Diane Barnes, Kara Cruoglio, Ashley Hall Daddona, Robert DeLayo, Margaret Hunt, John Morosani, Scott Pottbecker, Krista Rizzo, Billie Jean Sideris and Susan Wheeler

The Board of Education opened its meeting with Parkhouse summarizing a recent joint session with the Board of Finance and Board of Education Advisory Committee, describing it as “productive.” She noted that Board of Finance members asked questions and provided input into the budget development process.

Nick Caruso of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education attended to facilitate a discussion of the Board’s recent self-evaluation, conducted in advance of its annual evaluation of the Superintendent. Prior to the discussion, Superintendent Jeffrey Villar commended the Board’s participation, stating, “It takes real courage for a board to engage in honest self-reflection in public,” and describing members as “supportive, collaborative, and consistently focused on the District’s needs.”

Caruso encouraged candid discussion, noting, “There’s been a lot of issues with finance and there’s a trust issue … in the communities,” while also pointing to the recent joint meeting as a positive step. Board members identified several common themes in the evaluation, including the need for a district-wide strategic plan. Villar indicated such a plan could also address concerns related to communication and Board development.

Sideris raised concerns about the effectiveness of Board committees. Villar responded that roles and structures could be clarified through the strategic planning process. He added that, as a newly formed district, Region 20 is continuing to establish systems to support its operations. Caruso outlined a model for strategic planning led by the Board but incorporating input from a broad range of stakeholders.

Parkhouse highlighted inconsistencies in Board members’ responses regarding communication, prompting discussion of a potential communication plan. Sideris referenced concerns in the evaluation about individual meetings with the Superintendent, described as “splitting,” and emphasized the importance of transparency. Villar responded that he provides summaries of individual meetings in a weekly communication to the full Board.

Rizzo expressed support for shifting focus beyond immediate concerns, stating she welcomed “being able to focus on other stuff other than the immediate alarm.” Sideris added that the Board should consider inviting “educators and other leaders … to present more to the Board” to better understand the impact of its decisions.

Wheeler said she was comfortable with internal communication but expressed concern about outreach, stating, “With the communities, we could do better.” Villar and Caruso reiterated that both a strategic plan and a communication plan would help strengthen community engagement.

In his Superintendent’s Report, Villar said he is collecting data on student parking at Lakeview High School (Litchfield). He noted that while many potential solutions have been suggested, decisions would be better informed by a comprehensive understanding of the issue. He said he would report back.

During public comment, teacher and resident Colby Skilton encouraged the Board to consider how it communicates with school faculty and staff.

Following a brief discussion about the starting and ending point for field trips, the Board approved six policies on a motion by Sideris and a second by Hunt.

On motions by Sideris and seconds by Morosani and Wheeler, the Board approved the Healthy Food Option and Combined Food and Beverage Exemptions required for participation in the federal school lunch program.

The Board also accepted a donation of musical instruments on a motion by Wheeler and a second by Sideris.