Board adopts 2026–27 budget with 3.21% tax increase, emphasizes need for further staffing adjustments

The Wallingford‑Swarthmore Board of School Directors voted on May 28 to adopt the final 2026–27 budget, approving related finance items including bills paid and financial statements. The final budget includes a proposed Act 1 tax increase of 3.21% and reflects steps to reduce expenses since the preliminary budget; the roll‑call vote passed 8–0.

Superintendent Dr. Johnston and business official Ms. Mosley summarized changes since the preliminary budget, saying the district identified roughly $1.368 million in expense reductions and postponed about $878,500 in capital spending to lower next year’s expenditures. Despite reductions, administration projected continued reliance on fund balance of roughly $550,000 next year and warned that the district’s largest structural exposure remains salaries and benefits—about 72% of the budget—and historical staff increases (about 70 new positions over five years) have amplified that exposure.

Dr. Johnston said that, given the structural picture, the district will continue to pursue savings through attrition, vacancy review and reorganization where possible while protecting core programs and contractually required class‑size limits. He listed personnel changes already confirmed as part of the cost‑management plan: replacing a retiring high‑school science teacher with a part‑time hire, eliminating half of an elementary MTSS teacher position at SRS, and not replacing an executive assistant (reassigning duties). The superintendent said he will bring additional proposals to the finance committee and the board later this summer.

Board members praised staff for the transparent process and hard work to reduce spending; Mr. Miller described the adopted budget as a step in the right direction but emphasized continued difficult choices ahead. The board also approved multiple other finance and operational contracts during the meeting by roll call.

Vote details: the final budget motion passed on roll call (motions and roll‑call tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript). The superintendent noted that if the district starts the next phase of the capital plan fully, the fund‑balance use would be deeper (his example was an additional $1.4 million if the full high‑school renovation began next year), reinforcing the board’s caution about borrowing while using rainy‑day funds.

What’s next: administration will present a five‑year projection and potential solutions at the finance committee in June and continue to vet vacancy and structural options for next fiscal years.