Greenwich Schools have a legacy of excellence, but the 2026 budget requires some smart choices to preserve that legacy. Enrollment has dropped from 8,843 in 2019/20 to 8,354 in 2024/25—a loss of nearly 500 students—yet academic staff has grown from 1,010 to 1,030. This mismatch has spiked per-pupil costs to $28,000 annually, while academic performance remains stagnant since 2019. Investments in 70 additional staff haven’t delivered results, yielding a negative return. We can fix this without compromising classroom quality. Here’s how:
First, trim academic resources back to 2019 levels. With enrollment down, 1,010 staff—not 1,030—meets the historical student-teacher ratio of 8.9, still ensuring excellence. This cuts $2–2.7 million, per the 2025 GEA pay scale, where most teachers earn top-tier salaries. It’s a leaner, smarter allocation, not a sacrifice.
Second, tackle teacher absenteeism, which is double Connecticut’s average. Teachers work 180 days—62 fewer than the typical 242-day workforce—yet still claim extra “burnout” days. Matching the state’s absenteeism rate saves 9,292 substitute days at $150 each, reclaiming $1.4–2 million. This isn’t about overworking teachers; it’s about honoring the contract taxpayers fund.
Third, hire smarter. Greenwich offers Connecticut’s best teacher pay starting at $60,426, rising to $136,241 in 2025/26. Yet, GPS skips entry-level hires, opting for mid-scale salaries costing $29,152 more per teacher. With 53 replacements needed this year, hiring half to all at scale saves $758,000-$1.5 million. Competitive pay should attract talent without bloating costs.
Together, these steps save $4.1–6.2 million, all while preserving class sizes and academic programs. Students still get more resources per pupil than in 2019, when outcomes were just as strong. This isn’t slashing education. It’s pruning excess to protect what matters: teachers in classrooms
The Greenwich Board of Estimate and Taxation can fund a system that balances the Town’s books and our children’s future. Rising costs and flat performance aren’t sustainable; families and taxpayers deserve better. These fixes aren’t radical— they’re practical, rooted in data from GPS reports and Connecticut’s EdSight portal. Enrollment won’t rebound soon, but efficiency can. Let’s reject complacency and nostalgia for a budget that works. Support a budget that prioritizes classrooms over bureaucracy, excellence over inertia. It’s not about doing less. It’s about doing what’s right. Let’s make Greenwich Schools a sustainable model of smart stewardship for 2026 and beyond.
David J. Lancaster
