By Linda Conner Lambeck

WESTPORT–There are no hard numbers yet, but Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice said the district is looking at a 2026-27 operating budget proposal that is about 5 percent more than the current one, just to keep things as they are.

“I’ve not gotten a signal from the board or community that we are looking to do less than we do now.,” Scarice told the board on Thursday, at its last meeting before winter break.

Scarice told the board he would not have a final recommendation for them until sometime before the board holds a daylong budget presentation session on Friday, January 9, 2026..

“We have numbers,” he said. “I am just not comfortable releasing them.”

Protecting what the district does now– which means keeping the teachers and programs currently being offered in a district of about 5,200 students–would cost the district an additional $7.5 million were there to be a 5 percent increase on the $150.4 million operating budget being spent this fiscal year.

Salaries and benefits account for 80 percent of the budget. Teachers represent the lion’s share of district staff. In a three-year contract ratified a year ago, salary increases will average 4.65 percent in the 2026-27 fiscal year. 

Benefits, meanwhile, could rise as much as 13 percent, although most expect that prediction to go down by the time the budget proposal reaches the Representative Town Meeting for approval this spring

Last month, Scarice told the board of several budget priorities, including adding a new position in the facilities department, expanding mental health services, and taking responsibility for athletic uniform purchases.

In doing so, the superintendent outlined several ways to shift existing funds to help soften the fiscal blow. How much will be part of the recommendation when the administration presents its plan on January 9 remains to be seen.

Health care costs, as always, remain a  wildcard.

Elio Longo, the district’s chief financial officer, said every percent increase in health care cost represents a $250,000 increase in the district’s budget.

Stephen Shackelford, a new board member, asked what happens to the savings if the town approves a budget based on a higher health care percentage than occurs.

“Can’t we use the extra money for something,” Shackelford asked. Scarice’s chuckle told him, “No.”

Board Chair Lee Goldstein told both Shackelford and Andy Frankel, the other member new to the board, that the daylong budget session is their chance to collectively ask questions to the administration.

Frankel asked if the administration ever looks at ways to offer the same level of services with fewer people. He was told yes.

Board Secretary Neil Phillips asked about the perennial town question about finding efficiencies through combining town and school district functions.

Longo said such opportunities have pretty much been exhausted.

As for more transportation savings–the district managed to shave two buses off its fleet this year–Scarice said any additional savings would require a change in school starting times.