🏫 Farmington Board of Education Meeting Recap: Budget, Leadership Shakeups & What’s Next

The Farmington Board of Education met on February 3, 2025, tackling big decisions that impact students, parents, and taxpayers. The board approved a $83.2 million budget, addressed teacher retirements, and launched the search for a new superintendent.

This isn’t just another school board meeting—these decisions shape class sizes, school programs, and even your tax bill.

Here’s a full recap with key votes, direct quotes, and what happens next.

📊 Budget Breakdown: A 4.65% Increase & Where the Money Is Going

After weeks of deliberation, the board voted 6-1 to send an $83,240,983 budget proposal to the Farmington Town Council, reflecting a 4.65% increase over last year.

💰 What’s Driving the Increase?

🔹 Teacher Salaries & Staffing

• Farmington schools continue to grow, leading to a request for an additional sixth-grade teacher at Westwoods.
• This ensures a 24:1 student-teacher ratio, rather than exceeding 25 students per class.

🔹 Special Education Expansion

• Specialized Learning Centers (SLCs) for students with autism will receive more resources to keep students in-district instead of costly outplacements.
• Principal Carolyn Finch explained why this is so important:
  

  “Early intervention not only saves money in the long run—it saves relationships, community, and connection for these students.”

🔹 Transportation Upgrades for Field Trips

• The board formally approved an update to Policy 6153, which prioritizes coach buses over traditional school buses when available.
• Board members agreed this would improve student comfort and safety on long trips.

🔹 Potential State Funding Impact

• If the state fully funded excess cost reimbursement, Business Administrator Dan Linley estimates the budget increase could be as low as 3% instead of 4.65%.
• If reimbursement increased to 70%, the impact could shrink to the low 4% range.
• Board Chair Bill Beckert was cautious about relying too much on state funding:
  

  “It’s a good sign that the governor has put more money into the budget, but it still has to go through the approval process.”

💡 What’s Next?

• The budget now moves to the Farmington Town Council for review.
• If adjustments are made, the board may need to revisit spending priorities.

👋 Retirements & Staffing Changes: Saying Goodbye to Veteran Teachers

A key portion of the meeting focused on teacher retirements, with the board recognizing longtime educators who are stepping down.

Superintendent Kathy Greider corrected an earlier report on one teacher’s departure:

“There is one teacher who is retiring in December, and it had previously said in June, but it’s in December.”

Board members acknowledged the bittersweet nature of these retirements:

“Again, when it gets to this time of year, we see some names here that we all recognize. We’re sorry to see them go, but we’re happy for them to enjoy the fruits of their labor.”

💡 What’s Next?

• The board will review hiring needs to replace retiring staff.
• Expect updates in future meetings on how these vacancies will be filled.

🔍 Superintendent Search: The Hunt for Farmington’s Next Leader Begins

With Superintendent Kathy Greider preparing to step down, the board has officially launched the search for Farmington’s next education leader.

🗳 How the Search Process Will Work

✅ All nine Board of Education members will serve on the Personnel Search Committee.
✅ The district will issue an RFP (Request for Proposals) to search firms to find qualified candidates.
✅ The process will be transparent and community-driven.

Board Chair Bill Beckert emphasized that the search must be strictly about qualifications, not politics.

“My goal is to make this process apolitical—to make it about who’s the best person to serve our district once Kathy leaves us, and nothing more than that.”

💡 What’s Next?

• The RFP will go out in the coming weeks.
• Special meetings will be scheduled for community input.
• Expect candidate interviews in the spring and summer.

🏫 School Leadership Highlights: What’s Changing at Your Child’s School?

Each principal and department head shared key updates:

Westwoods Upper Elementary School 🏫

• Principal Kate Goupil explained the request for a new 6th-grade teacher to prevent overcrowding.
• Enrollment is at a 10-year high, with more transfer students arriving than expected.

Irving A. Robbins Middle School 📚

• Principal Lisa Luksic highlighted the success of CREW advisory periods, which focus on student leadership.
• The school is expanding student-led projects to encourage critical thinking and civic engagement.

Farmington High School 🎓

• Principal Russ Crist credited the new high school building with improved attendance and engagement.
• He reminded the board that NEASC accreditation (happening next year) will require additional resources.

Special Education: Keeping Students in Farmington

• Director Wendy Webber explained that the district is saving money by keeping more students in-district.
• She hopes the state will standardize special education tuition rates to ease the financial burden on schools.

🙌 Huge Thanks to Our Sponsor: Farmington Storage

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✍️ Jack Beckett

(Running on coffee, school budget debates, and the realization that I now know more about district finance than I ever intended to.)