Superintendent's Recommended Budget for FY 2025-26

A Message from Dr. Alexandra Estrella, Superintendent of Norwalk Public Schools

Superintendent’s Recommended Budget for FY 2025-26 to the Norwalk Board of Education

Norwalk Public Schools has made steady progress over the last five years, and that success stems from our commitment to our mission: to provide an excellent and equitable education so all students graduate future ready. As we developed the budget for FY 2025-26, each of our decisions was grounded in our strategic plan and the five strategic priorities that are interwoven into everything we do.

Most importantly, this work was grounded in our 'why' — our scholars.

The progress seen so far is no accident. It results from strategic and deliberate investments in resources that meet the diverse needs of our students. However, sustaining and building on this success requires continued support and commitment. To pause or reduce these efforts would risk undoing our hard-won gains and limiting opportunities for our scholars.

With this in mind, my team and I present the Superintendent’s Recommended General Fund Operating Budget of $255.96 million for FY 2025-26. This proposal reflects thoughtful consideration of our district's priorities and the realities we face.

The requested budget addresses rising costs for special education services and out-of-district tuition, employee compensation and benefits, transportation and utilities, and the need to return key program funding to the local budget. It is a balanced approach aimed at maintaining the high-quality education and support services that our students, staff, and families rely on every day.

Education Is a People Business, Educators Are Our Most Important Resource

Norwalk Public Schools could not deliver high-quality education to our students without a team of dedicated and qualified teachers and staff. As a result, salaries and benefits are and always will be the largest category of every school system’s operating budget. 

Nearly 85% of the budget every year goes directly into classroom and school services that benefit our students and provide support to our families.

Our schools are working on the thinnest of margins, and the requirement to eliminate more positions due to an unsatisfactory budget will undoubtedly deplete the level of service provided to our students. Still rebounding from one of the greatest stressors ever placed on the American educational system with the pandemic, we cannot continue to pull away valuable resources that our children rely on.

Rising Costs for Specialized Learning & Other Services

We continue to see more and more students needing specialized services, currently over 15%. Combined with unfunded state mandates and the rising costs of services from out-of-district providers, we’re seeing a higher cost burden on the district.

Our district is proud to serve many of our students with special needs in their home schools through programs such as STARS, SUCCESS and PINE as well as our 18-22 programming, Next Steps and Project Search. 

Norwalk Public Schools is legally required to provide these special education services to fulfill the needs of a students’ individual education plan (IEP) whether that’s in the district or by an outside provider. Every student deserves to receive an excellent education that will ensure a successful future.

The district again saw an increase in multilingual learner (MLL) students entering the system this year, reflecting the ongoing national trend of MLL students emerging as the fastest-growing demographic in public schools.

Increasing Operational and Transportation Costs

Collaborating with the state, we secured grant funding to enhance air quality and classroom comfort, reflecting our commitment to safe and healthy learning environments. Additionally, we are on track to complete the first school construction under the 60% reimbursement rate, with the new South Norwalk Elementary School set to open next fall.

However, these advancements come as we face increasing costs in other operational areas. Utility expenses, including electricity and natural gas, are projected to rise by $1 million, while student transportation costs will grow by $1.15 million, underscoring the financial challenges of maintaining excellence across the district.

Grant Funds Help But Cannot Supplant

Norwalk Public Schools is fortunate to receive millions in grant funds that go toward supporting various programs throughout the district. Grants make up 13% of our total budget expenses, but the district is limited in how those funds can be spent.

We must also transition $2.4 million from grant funding to the local budget to ensure the continuation of critical programs that support our students and staff. This funding is essential for maintaining special education staffing, summer programming, and security services—key areas that directly impact the safety, enrichment, and success of our scholars. We also need to compensate for the one-time offset of $1.8 million from the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds facilitated by Mayor Rilling to balance the FY 2024-25 budget.

Developing a Fiscally Responsible Budget

A great deal of work went into the development of the FY 2025-26 budget to ensure it’s not only fiscally responsible but also provides our students with the educational services they deserve. As always, we remained cognizant of the impact that our budget has on taxpayers and the lives of the community.

Our students are this community’s future, and the health of Norwalk depends on the strength of our school system. Investing wisely in our schools is essential to sustaining this progress. Furthermore, eliminating staff not only diminishes the quality of education and services for our students but also reduces the number of taxpayers contributing to the local economy, further impacting the community’s long-term vitality.