Fairfield Board Of Education 2025-26 Budget Update
The Fairfield Board of Education has finalized its 2025-2026 budget. This budget balances educational needs with financial considerations, ensuring continued support for students, staff, and school operations.
Below are the key details on the proposed budget:
Budget Proposal & Approval
- The 2025-2026 budget request was adopted on January 28 at $234.9 million (6.68% increase).
- The Superintendent’s original proposal was $234.4 million (6.45% increase).
Unexpected Cost Increases (+$2.8 million added)
- Healthcare costs increased by 12%, adding $887K.
- Pension funding shortfall required an extra $208K.
- Transportation costs rose by $1.69M due to a new contract.
BOE Adjustments (-$2.3 million in reductions)
- Reductions included staffing, technology, student assessments, maintenance, and special education contracts.
- World language textbooks are being delayed, and preschool tuition was raised.
- Reducing buses was considered but did not pass.
First Selectman’s Proposal
- Proposed $4.89M cut to BOE budget.
- If $941K in maintenance projects move to capital bonding, $3.95M would still need to be reduced.
- The resulting budget increase of 4.49% does not cover contractual obligations in salaries and benefits.
Revenue Challenges
- Federal funding drops by $669K as ARPA/ESSER funds expire.
- State reimbursement for special education costs has declined.
Additional Information:
- Full budget details: BOE Budget Page
Holland Hill Students Connect Through 'No Place for Hate' Activity
FLHS Students Hear Powerful Message on Fentanyl Dangers and Impact
Fairfield Ludlowe High School students attended a powerful presentation by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tricia Collins and Lauren Clark about the dangers of fentanyl. The assembly featured heart-wrenching testimony from Connecticut mom Joanne Conlan, who lost her daughter, Moriah, to an accidental fentanyl overdose after taking a single pill. Falcons walked away from the event with critical insight and perspective on the effects of deadly drugs on individuals and their families.
If you or someone you know needs help, don’t wait. Reach out today.
📞 24/7 National Helplines
🔹 SAMHSA (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration)
📞 1-800-662-HELP (4357) | 🌐 www.samhsa.gov
Free, confidential help for individuals & families facing substance use challenges. SAMHSA search for health care professionals and programs or call 1-800-662-4357 any time day or night.
🔹 Crisis Text Line
📲 Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 support.
🛑 Fentanyl Awareness & Prevention
🔹 DEA’s "One Pill Can Kill" Campaign
🌐 www.dea.gov/onepill
Learn how fake pills laced with fentanyl are taking lives.
🔹 National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
🌐 www.drugabuse.gov
Get the facts on drug use, health effects, and recovery.
📍 Connecticut Resources
🔹 LiveLOUD CT (Opioid & Addiction Support)
🌐 www.liveloud.org | 📞 1-800-563-4086
🔹 2-1-1 Connecticut
📞 Dial 211 or visit 🌐 www.211ct.org
Find local treatment, crisis support, and resources.
Rare Disease Day - February 28
Friday, February 28 is Rare Disease Day, a time when FPS students support and celebrate friends impacted by a rare disease. Rare Disease Day is a global movement that raises awareness for those living with, supporting, and treating rare diseases. With more than 7,000 rare conditions, everyone likely knows someone impacted by a rare disease.
Families worked together to discover, craft, and explore during a recent McKinley Math and Steam night. Thanks to the McKinley PTA for supporting this special event, and the Warde High School students who volunteered to assist.
The RLMS Student Leadership Club successfully collected 1,577 non-perishable food items for Operation Hope, exceeding their initial goal of 1,000 cans. This outstanding achievement highlights the dedication and unity of the RLMS community, with every crew member contributing to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.
Warde Wrestling won the 2025 Class LL State Championship after clinching their third consecutive FCIAC Championship. This total team effort included three individual State Champions. Congrats to all!
Thank You FPS SROs!
Join us in recognizing the invaluable work of our School Resource Officers! FPS SROs play a vital role in our school communities, building meaningful relationships with students and their families. Their dedication, support, and hard work help ensure a safe and positive learning environment for all. Thank you, SROs, for all that you do!
Fairfield Ludlowe High School sophomore and former gifted program student Anamika Martins presented 'Maximizing Your Potential in High School' to 8th-grade workshop students from all three middle schools. She covered topics such as overcoming challenges and discovering passions through clubs and extracurricular activities.
- Number of years serving as SRO in Fairfield: Officer Fusco has been an SRO since April 2024 and a police officer for eight years. She also serves as a Crisis Intervention Officer, Bike Patrol Officer, and a Field Training Officer.
- Fairfield Schools: Officer Fusco serves as SRO at North Stratfield and Stratfield School.
- What is your favorite part of being an SRO?: The best part of being an SRO is the opportunity to build relationships with students and make a positive impact on their lives. Unlike other police assignments, you get to interact with kids daily, mentor them, and help guide them through challenges. You’re not just enforcing laws—you’re a role model, a problem solver, and sometimes even a listening ear when they need one.
- Is there something in your current role that brings you joy or a sense of fulfillment each day?: As an SRO, one of the most positive things I encounter daily is the genuine connections with students. Whether it’s a simple high-five in the hallway, a kid excitedly telling me about their weekend, or a student who once hesitated to talk now stopping by just to chat—it’s those little moments that make a big impact.
- What advice do you have for families?: Communication is key! Keep open lines of communication with kids. The more they trust you, the more likely they are to come to you with problems.
Congratulations to Warde Senior Patty Greene on earning a NROTC Scholarship! Patty will be studying at University of Pittsburgh as an accepted student in the nursing program.
Jennings Art Club Students Engage In Art Critique And Studio Workshop
Burr students participated in a creative building exercise as part of the 'One School One Book' reading of "The Wild Robot!"
Ramadan Mubarak
The Holy Month of Ramadan begins on Friday, February 28. Ramadan holds religious and cultural importance for Muslims, and its observance involves fasting, prayer, and reflection.
As a reminder, FPS will be closed for Eid al-Fitr on Monday, March 31. Eid al-Fitr commemorates the end of the month of Ramadan.
Wishing those who celebrate a happy Ramadan!
Walter Fitzgerald Campus students celebrated Chinese New Year by writing messages in Mandarin in calligraphy ink on rice paper. Rose Heeley and Trisha Pytko also led students to create dragons and snakes for a parade.
Safety Town Openings Available
Do you have a Kindergartner joining FPS for the 2025-26 School year? The popular FPS Safety Town program is back! Complete the registration form with a check made payable to FPS and mail or drop off to Central Office: https://bit.ly/3PZvfLe
Reporting Dismissal Changes & Absences
Parents and guardians of middle and elementary school students should use School Dismissal Manager to update the school regarding dismissal plans. The system can be accessed via a smartphone, tablet or PC. Contact your school with questions on how to sign-up and download the application.
Stay In The Know: ParentSquare
All district, school and classroom messages are sent to your computer or phone through email, and/or text via ParentSquare. This includes emergency messages and alerts.
Families should have received a link to log in to their ParentSquare account from their principal. If you have not received a link, please reach out to your school directly. Note: families who previously signed up for ParentSquare will not need to do so again.
To ensure that you receive messages via ParentSquare, please double check your contact information in Infinite Campus. If you would like to receive text messages, make sure that your cell phone is listed and NOT a landline.
Infinite Campus will continue to be used for a variety of purposes including report cards, grades and assignments, lunch payments, fees/school store and real-time attendance information.
