2023-2024 Darien Public School District Budget Process

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During a brief Special Meeting on Thursday 1/5, Dr. Addley presented his proposed 2023-2024 budget to the Board of Education and the community.

Highlights included:

  • 2023-2024 proposed budget of $116,068,266 (4.94% increase above the 2022-2023 budget of $110,607,016)
  • Some key drivers for the increase include (but are not limited to):
    • Contractual increase (2.63%)
    • Health insurance (.88%)
    • Security initiatives (.44%)
    • Substitutes (.37%)
    • Enrollment (.37%)
    • Mental Health initiatives (.25%)
    • Retirement benefits (.22%)
  • Key elements tying to the District’s Strategic Plan as follows:
    • Strategic Plan Goal 1: Enhancing Teaching and Learning
      • Addressing teacher and substitute shortages
      • Special Education needs including specialized instructional programs
      • New courses and club offerings
      • Supporting class size / enrollment
      • Enhancing programming for Fitch students
    • Strategic Plan Goal 2: Fostering a Culture that Promotes Wellness, Diversity and Inclusion
      • Support for mental health programming
    • Strategic Plan Goal 4: Expanding Professional Capacity of Staff
      • New teacher contract
    • Strategic Plan Goal 5: Developing and Enhancing Systems to Promote Effective Communication
      • Initial planning for potential new student information management system
    • Strategic Plan Goal 6:  Improving School Facilities for Student Safety and Access Learning
      • Implementation of School Security Officers and Director of Security
      • Additional support for facilities (Ox Ridge Custodial)
      • Expanded space for Fitch
    • Strategic Plan Goal 7:  Improving Technology to Support Teaching and Learning
      • Replacement cycle for technology devices

During an all-day meeting on Saturday 1/7, the Board of Education discussed the proposed budget line-by-line.  The meeting materials (including Zoom access link and YouTube replay link) can be found here.  On Tuesday, 1/10, the Board of Education will hold a regular meeting which will serve as an opportunity for further discussion.  All meetings are open to the public. 

As always, please follow the Chain of Command and direct any questions / comments to your PTO Chairs or Building Principal, or, feel free to speak directly during Public Comment at the Board of Education meetings.  
All budget materials can be found here.