Once the Granby Board of Finance provides budget guidance for the fiscal year, the Granby Board of Education conducts a series of four public budget meetings and workshops, each intentionally designed to address a different and critical component of the district’s financial planning. Collectively, these meetings ensure a thoughtful, data-driven and transparent approach to developing and approving the annual budget.
Budget meetings and workshops timeline
February 18: Board of Education Meeting Focus: Enrollment Data and Special Education Annual Report. This was a focused review of district-wide enrollment trends and projections to assist in guiding the budget process. In addition, the Special Education Annual Report was presented to examine student needs and program development for FY27.
March 4: Board of Education Meeting Focus: Superintendent’s Proposed Budget Presentation.
At this meeting, the superintendent formally presents the proposed budget to the BOE and the community. This presentation outlines spending priorities, educational goals, financial assumptions and the overall fiscal direction for the upcoming school year. On March 4 the FY27 Budget Book will be available on the district website for review.
March 11: Budget Workshop: Board Discussion and Review. This additional BOE meeting is dedicated exclusively to in-depth budget discussion. Board members ask questions, request clarifications and examine budget components in detail to ensure alignment with district goals and community expectations.
March 18: Board of Education Meeting Focus: Final Review and Budget Approval. The final meeting in the budget series focuses on remaining discussion, refinements and formal budget approval. This step reflects the culmination of weeks of analysis, dialogue and public consideration.
A deliberate commitment to fiscal oversight
The BOE’s budget process is a comprehensive, multi-month effort that begins each fall. Initial work starts with individual meetings with school leadership to identify instructional priorities, operational needs and potential areas for reduction. Using a zero-based budgeting approach, all expenditures are reviewed and justified to ensure resources are aligned with student needs and district goals. A preliminary budget is presented in December, followed by a series of collaborative discussions with the board of finance in January and February to refine assumptions, review data and address questions.
The process culminates in the four budget meetings identified here. Each meeting builds upon the last, allowing the board to move thoughtfully from analysis to proposal, discussion and ultimately approval in a transparent and methodical manner.
The BOE remains committed to responsible stewardship of district resources and values community understanding and engagement throughout the budget process. By dedicating multiple meetings solely to budget-related topics, the board ensures decisions are informed, deliberate and aligned with the district’s educational mission. For more information, please visit our website by going to granby.k12.ct.us/o/gps/page/budget