Norwalk Board Of Education Approves Recommended Operating Budget For FY 2026-27

NORWALK, CT — The Norwalk Board of Education approved this week the superintendent's recommended operating budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, Norwalk Public Schools announced this week.

According to a news release provided by the district, the board's tentatively approved budget requests $263,148,792, an increase of 6.5 percent from last year's budget, which included a $4.5 million city allocation to restore critical positions.

"As a people-centered organization, salaries and benefits remain our largest expense, accounting for 71 percent of the $15.9 million year-over-year increase requested," the release reads.

According to the district, this budget represents "a thoughtful and responsible balance between sustaining the district's momentum and meeting the financial needs of a school system determined to provide every student with the strongest path to success."

The full release provided by Norwalk Public Schools can be read in full below:

Norwalk Board of Education Approves Superintendent’s Recommended Operating Budget for FY 2026-27

Norwalk, CT (Dec. 16, 2025) – The Norwalk Board of Education has approved the Superintendent’s Recommended Operating Budget for FY 2026-27. The BOE’s tentatively approved budget requests $263,148,792, an increase of 6.5% from last year’s budget which included a $4.5 million city allocation to restore critical positions.

As a people-centered organization, salaries and benefits remain our largest expense, accounting for 71% of the $15.9 million year-over-year increase requested.

This budget represents a thoughtful and responsible balance between sustaining the district’s momentum and meeting the financial needs of a school system determined to provide every student with the strongest path to success. After last year’s budget process, Norwalk Public Schools experienced significant reductions in staff and student supports, leaving the district operating at levels lower than the City’s own Efficiency Study had already identified as insufficient in 2022.

At the same time, the district faces uncertainty around critical federal grants that support literacy, special education, and other essential services, as well as the unknowns regarding the level of local budget support. These challenges frame the context for a budget designed not to expand programming, but to stabilize a system still recovering.

Key cost drivers for the coming fiscal year include increased special education needs, including the continued expansion of in-house specialized programming designed to keep students in Norwalk schools and reduce out-of-district costs; the expansion of full-day Pre-K programs at Wolfpit and South Norwalk as a local investment that leverages a match from a state grant; higher service contract expenses; and our ongoing commitment to provide free meals for all students. The budget also supports staffing for the addition of a 4th grade level at South Norwalk Elementary School, an updated employer contribution to 401A retirement plans, and the district assuming liability, auto, and property insurance costs for the first time.

Norwalk Public Schools enters each budget season mindful of our community and the taxpayers who contribute so much of their hard-earned money to support our school system. We are deeply appreciative of every dollar appropriated by the City of Norwalk and grateful to those who continue to advocate at the state and federal levels for additional funding that benefits our scholars.

The Norwalk BOE also wants to encourage greater community participation in the budget process. We are grateful to the many residents who have already taken part in at least one of the eleven opportunities to engage in the process, whether by actively participating, asking questions or by listening as the budget has taken shape. When more residents engage, they gain a clearer understanding of what drives our costs and how each investment strengthens our students, our staff and the long-term success of our schools.