Granby Public Schools has received an excellent response to our strategic planning survey from students, parents, staff and community members. In addition, we held successful strategic planning feedback sessions, and we are now developing a district strategic plan guided by the words Connect. Believe. Achieve.
This work is helping us identify what matters most to our community—what we are doing well, where we can improve and how we can best support every student. We are grateful to everyone who has taken time to share thoughtful feedback and contribute to shaping the future of Granby Public Schools. Together, we are building a clear vision and action plan that reflects our shared values and priorities. We plan to present the second-generation strategic plan to the board of education in May for consideration and approval.
Initial FY27 Budget Proposal
On Dec. 17, the first budget proposal for the 2026–27 school year was presented to the Granby Board of Education. This early budget projects the district’s operating budget, Quality & Diversity fund and capital improvement needs. This is an opportunity to communicate the district’s current fiscal challenges and priorities as we work toward developing a final BOE budget in March.
The boards of education, selectmen and finance met for the three-board meeting on Jan. 20 to share budget requests and collaborate in order to provide fiscally responsible budget proposals. This multi-board collaboration allows for both municipal and educational costs to be considered so that taxpayer impact can be minimized as much as possible.
The current projected budget request for Granby Public Schools in 2026–27 is a 3.23 percent increase over the FY26 operating budget. The only new position included is a certified reading intervention teacher at the middle school. This position will be fully funded through the Q & D Fund so there is no increase to the operating budget for this important instructional position. A reading intervention teacher will provide high quality certified reading instruction to support struggling learners in the middle grades.
In large part, we are able to achieve this lower percentage increase due to the creation of specialized programs designed to better meet the needs of our students. With the BEAR Transition Academy established in 2023 and the newly-formed Granby Alternative Program (GAP), we are able to keep students in district with strong, high-quality programming—while avoiding the high tuition and transportation costs of out-of-district placements.
Commencing this year, we are reducing our overall budgeted expenses for the amount of revenue we anticipate receiving for special education tuition from neighboring communities choosing to send their students to BEAR and GAP. This creates a reduction to the overall special education costs for the district. In FY27, special education costs are only 0.75 percent of the total proposed budget, which is in part due to these innovative programs and revenue offsets.
Stay Informed
Please follow our budget development by visiting our website and attending the board of education budget workshop and presentations. Information will be updated regularly on our district website and social media platforms. You can also follow updates at @Superintendent_Burke on Facebook and Instagram.
March 4, 7 p.m.—Superintendent’s proposed budget to BOE, Town Hall Meeting Room
March 11, 7 p.m.—BOE Budget Workshop, Senior/Community Center
March 18, 7 p.m.—BOE Budget Adoption, Town Hall Meeting Room
March 23, 7 p.m.—Board of finance meeting for approval of the BOE FY27 Budget, Town Hall Meeting Room
April 6, 7 p.m.—Public Budget Hearing, Granby Memorial High School auditorium