By Laura Kostin
Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones unveiled her proposed 2027-2028 $216.4m Operating Budget Thursday night. The amount represents an increase of 4.47%, slightly above guidelines approved by the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET).
Guidelines from the BET, which were formally adopted last month, set a spending “cap” of 3.7% excluding benefits, for an increase of 3.46% over last year’s $207.1m budget.
Dr. Toni Jones presents her proposed 2027-8 Operating Budget to the Greenwich Board of Education on Nov 5, 2026. Photo: Laura Kostin
Dr. Toni Jones presents her proposed 2027-8 Operating Budget to the Greenwich Board of Education on Nov 5, 2026. Photo: Laura Kostin
The BET’s guidelines also say, “Staffing models should be reviewed and adjusted based on expected enrollment and program need.” According to the latest GPS Enrollment Report, next year’s enrollment projection is 7,739 K–12 students, a decline of 109 from October 2026 levels.
Enrollment expectations provided by Dr. Peter Prowda, the district’s contracted demographer, to the Greenwich Board of Education last month, show an anticipated K–12 enrollment low of about 7,610 in 2029, with a “gradual recovery” to an estimated 7,896 in 2036.
Salaries represent 76% percent of spending while “Purchased Services” including Transportation and Special Education Out of District Placements/Settlements account for another 17%.
Dr. Toni Jones presents her proposed 2027-8 Operating Budget to the Greenwich Board of Education on Nov 5, 2026. Photo: Laura Kostin
The guidelines, contained in a memo to the Board of Education and Town Departments also state, “The most direct means of reducing the budget is lowering our largest expense but it must be conducted thoughtfully.”
A Board of Education vote on the Operating Budget is expected at the December 17 meeting. The Capital Budget is voted on separately. Typically it is approved in October, but it has been delayed. A date to approve it has not been posted yet.