Plainfield Public Schools

January 28, 2026

Dear Plainfield Community Members,

In preparation for our budget presentation on Wednesday, January 28th, I am pleased to share the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. This proposal represents our commitment to maintaining high-quality education for our students while navigating a challenging financial landscape.

Budget Overview: The proposed operating budget for FY 2026-27 totals $40,690,001. This represents an expenditure increase of 3.99% ($1,562,180) over the current fiscal year.

It is important to view this proposal in the context of our shifting revenue landscape. We are anticipating a revenue loss of approximately $305,000 next year, primarily due to a decrease in out-of-town tuition students at Plainfield High School. This decline is driven by a large graduating class from Sterling being replaced by a smaller incoming cohort. When accounting for this loss in revenue, the budget represents an effective increase of 4.77% regarding the total budget impact.

Balancing Excellence with Fiscal Responsibility despite these revenue challenges, this proposal reflects a strategic effort to balance educational excellence with fiscal responsibility. The budget is shaped by two primary factors:

Fixed Charges: The primary driver of the expenditure increase is found within Fixed Charges (Benefits and Insurance), which rose by 13.14% ($920,977). This line item alone accounts for a significant portion of the total budget growth, driven largely by rises in health insurance costs, pension contributions, and liability insurance.

Strategic Staffing Adjustments: To offset costs, we have made strategic staff reductions in direct response to declining student enrollment. You will see cost reductions at several locations, including Plainfield High School (-1.47%) and Moosup Elementary (-1.82%). These adjustments include the reduction of four certified teaching positions at the high school, one certified position at the central school, and position reductions in grades 2 and 3 at the elementary level.

These necessary decisions allow us to align our staffing levels with current student populations while maintaining class sizes that support effective instruction.

I look forward to discussing these details further during our upcoming presentation on Wednesday, January 28th.

Paul M. Brenton

January 28th Public Presentation