Amity Regional School District Budget Process Underway for 2025-2026 – Your Voice Matters

As spring approaches, the Amity Regional School District No. 5, serving Bethany, Orange, and Woodbridge, is hard at work shaping the 2025-2026 budget, and we are committed to our goals of continuously improving instruction, cultivating creativity, enhancing student engagement and performance, and the effective use of resources. The May 6th budget referendum provides an opportunity for all residents, regardless of whether you have a child in the district, to exercise their right to vote and help shape the future of our district. The board would like to hear residents’ perspectives on the proposed budget and will host Q&A sessions throughout April to create opportunities for dialogue.

Led by Superintendent Dr. Jennifer P. Byars and the Amity Finance Committee, the district is proposing a budget of $58,108,999, reflecting a 2.93% increase over the current year. This process, which began with initial staff requests last fall, has been carefully refined to balance educational excellence with fiscal responsibility.  

We want our community to know that this budget isn’t just numbers on a page – it’s a reflection of our shared commitment to preparing every Amity student to become a lifelong learner and a caring, creative, and effective world citizen. But it’s also your budget, and your input is vital.

To ensure transparency and engagement, the Amity Board of Education Communications Committee will host in-person and virtual Q&A sessions to answer your questions and provide clarity on the budget process. These sessions will address common concerns, such as why the budget increases, how town allocations are determined, and what happens to any surplus funds. Details on session times and locations, as well as how to join virtually, will be shared soon through local channels. Key dates to mark on your calendar include:

• Monday, April 7, 2025: A public hearing is held to discuss the proposed budget. Similar to Public Comment during a regular Board meeting, this is an opportunity for our community to present their opinions on the Board’s proposed budget. This would not be a Q&A opportunity. Please see here for how public hearing/comment sessions work.
• Tuesday, May 6, 2025: The referendum vote.

We encourage all residents to attend these sessions, ask questions, and exercise their right to vote on May 6. Together, we can ensure Amity remains a place where education thrives.