Ridgefield Tri-Board Reviews Fiscal Outlook, School Needs And Capital Pressures

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Ridgefield’s three governing bodies — the Board of Education, Board of Selectpersons and Board of Finance — held a joint meeting Nov. 18 to review the town’s fiscal outlook, discuss school system needs and examine upcoming capital pressures as planning begins for the 2026 budget cycle.

The session, which included public comment and presentations from all three boards, marked the latest in a series of early-season budget coordination meetings intended to prevent last-minute conflicts and reinforce long-standing collaboration among the groups.

Public Comment Highlights School Technology, Home Values and Education Investment

Two residents addressed the tri-board before deliberations began.

One resident raised concerns about the use of Chromebooks in elementary grades and asked the Board of Finance to request clearer technology budgeting details from the Board of Education. She submitted research articles, images of inappropriate content accessed on school devices in another district, and commentary on student liability and device-related risks.

Another Ridgefielder urged the boards to view education spending as a financial asset for the community, not only a benefit to families with children. Strong public schools, she said, help preserve and grow home values and support the town’s long-term economic health.

Board of Finance: Inflation, Debt Service and Revenue Pressures Ahead

Board of Finance Chair Mike Rettger delivered a detailed fiscal overview, beginning with final results from fiscal year 2025. Ridgefield ended the year with a $1.6 million surplus, driven by investment income, savings on departmental budgets and minor accounting adjustments. The town’s fund balance rose to just over $21 million, slightly above its 12 percent policy guideline.

S&P Global Ratings recently reaffirmed Ridgefield’s AAA credit rating, including its newly issued $17.4 million in bonds.

Looking ahead to fiscal 2026, Rettger said early projections show several challenges:

• Debt service is expected to rise 16 percent, largely due to previously approved school roof projects and the Prospect Ridge School renovation.
• Investment income may fall by nearly $1 million due to lower expected interest rates.
• Grand list growth is estimated at 1 percent, up from last year’s 0.7 percent.
• Senior tax credit reforms, if approved, could add roughly $500,000 in costs next year, with additional impacts the following year.

The Board of Finance also presented preliminary mill rate modeling showing that a combined town-and-schools operating budget increase of 2.5 percent could result in a mill rate increase of about 3.3 percent. A 4 percent budget increase could push the mill rate rise to nearly 5 percent.

Rettger said the board’s goal is to remain within a range consistent with inflation and with what voters have historically supported.

“We are not talking about cutting budgets,” he said. “We’re talking about leveling growth so we can deliver a budget [the public will approve.]”

Board of Education: Rising Needs in Special Education, Security and Student Services

Board of Education Chair Tina Malhotra and Superintendent Dr. Susie Da Silva outlined short-term and long-term educational and operational needs.

Da Silva emphasized that student needs — particularly in mental health, behavior, special education and English language acquisition — continue to rise. She noted several emerging pressures:

Short-term (1–3 years)

• Expanding elementary world language programming
• Staffing to support enrollment “bubbles” in certain schools
• Increased social-emotional and behavioral support needs
• Growing special education caseloads, including high-cost outplacements
• Rising costs in the district’s RISE and transitional programs
• Increased complexity among English Learner students
• Inflation-driven impacts on supplies, utilities and contracted services
• Continued cybersecurity and network infrastructure upgrades after a summer breach
• Significant increases in health insurance costs
• Transportation contract renegotiations and looming electric-vehicle mandates

Capital considerations

• High school auditorium modernization
• Locker room improvements
• Facility upgrades across aging school buildings
• Expanded preschool space
• Long-term master planning underway with Colliers

Da Silva said the district will continue to present budgets grounded in educational needs while acknowledging the town’s fiscal environment.

Board of Selectpersons: Public Safety Facilities and Infrastructure Pressures

First Selectperson Rudy Marconi briefed the boards on municipal operations, emphasizing the deteriorating conditions at the police station and fire headquarters — both housed in aging buildings.

He said short-term fixes are needed regardless of long-term decisions on the stalled public safety building project, including:

• Flooding and drainage repairs in police locker rooms
• Temporary HVAC improvements
• Relocation of critical communications equipment
• Boiler replacements at fire and municipal buildings

Marconi also outlined several major capital needs:

• A new boiler and exterior work at the Venus Building
• HVAC projects at Town Hall Annex and Veterans Park
• Road reconstruction on Ridgebury Road, an $8–9 million project partly covered by grants
• Multiple culvert and drainage upgrades tied to state regulations
• Long-term generator replacements across emergency facilities
• School roof projects across several buildings

He said a newly forming public safety building committee will reevaluate long-term options, but urgent repairs cannot wait.

Board Discussion: Balancing Needs, Affordability and Community Expectations

During the open discussion session, several Board of Education members emphasized that they will build their budget based on student needs rather than a predetermined target, while acknowledging the importance of fiscal responsibility and community engagement.

Board of Finance members said the goal of early modeling is transparency — not to set a cap but to help all three boards understand how different budget scenarios affect taxpayers.

Marconi and others cautioned that large increases could risk a failed referendum, which can trigger repeated budget cycles and prolonged uncertainty.

Several officials noted that Ridgefield’s schools remain central to home values and community identity, while the town’s aging infrastructure — from roads to public safety buildings — also requires sustained investment.

Board of Education members encouraged residents to attend upcoming school tours and budget presentations to better understand the district’s operational and facility needs.