Building the Budget: Dover Schools' Strategic Approach to FY27

Описание: In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Dover School District Superintendent Christine Boston about the district's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. Boston outlines the budget development process, which begins each September with building-level administrators submitting their needs before she and CFO Michael Limanni compile and refine the numbers through the fall. She emphasizes that this year's budget is closely aligned with the district's five strategic pillars — academic knowledge, well-being, equity and inclusion, continuous improvement, and a team approach — developed through extensive community engagement.






In their presentation to the city council, Limanni details the revenue and expense drivers behind the budget's roughly 6.77% increase, highlighting a 6.5% rise in health insurance costs, collective bargaining negotiations, increased transportation and special education expenses, and a decrease in tuition revenue from surrounding districts. Boston explains that over 70% of the budget supports staffing and contracted services. The district is requesting only a few new positions mandated by law or necessitated by funding reductions, including a social studies teacher required by new state curriculum rules, a counselor for Dover Adult Learning Center to offset lost federal funding, and a school psychologist position that would save money by replacing contract services. Boston also discusses efforts to bring special education programming in-house to reduce costs and better serve students. She closes by reinforcing the district's commitment to maintaining class sizes, counseling services, and strategic progress while remaining mindful of taxpayer constraints.