[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6625518,"mediaKeyId","2756777-81e6a50c170a0dfac2108ab115268ed2","parentId",2756777,"title","Board hears special-education budget strain; administration moves $555,702 into clinical-cost account","audioSeconds",1849,"startMs",2471000,"endMs",4320000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756777-81e6a50c170a0dfac2108ab115268ed2&start=2471&end=4320","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756777-81e6a50c170a0dfac2108ab115268ed2/thumbnail_2471000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6625518/Connecticut/Board-hears-special-education-budget-strain-administration-moves-555702-into-clinical-cost-account","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625518-baaf455ec81a17d01545f91dc9c0f4b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763307&Signature=bj8vJdPMOXgKJXDWOtvNZHuA4IhPGke9RqFhI5YQLEn8SrBQrIFgCirIzbPWI4DakmM5~s0YIxFX9cWCyvgpwSnbb8INBmBQY8NkFP05u~sMsRHNnlmuQkGiJEaHCKpfBTWcXA0XblsmGYCxRFKAp-O7c4ZiI7JH84OMveik0QUT52ky1WOunCooPXBo0TIYG2BOtnEiWoXFzU91aVzuBla0PFA4ICBIkpUm3aF2QdLiOGe5lRs~oMoVa9FEn7dRr5ifdBYCPgXZ5uXpaITW1n8maeIHk1Y7Z-CgVtEQ9~xyOX61gEOraQZ-caRwoy0zIsMNJJ8iIf-kMleQdqd4sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Stratford School District","date","2025-03-25T01:23:35.49Z","article","Finance staff told the Stratford Board of Education on March 24 that the district is facing continuing pressure in special-education costs and has taken an initial budget transfer to reduce that shortfall.

\"At this point, we're still estimating that our deficit could be, even over $1,000,000,\" the district finance official said while presenting the monthly financial report for February. The report identified higher-than-expected costs in out-of-district placements and in-district clinical services as the primary drivers of the deficit.

The board approved a transfer of $555,702 from unfilled salary accounts (object 111) into the clinical-cost account (object 300). In committee discussion and during the meeting the administration noted that the clinical-cost account was shown in the materials as about $2,600,000; the transfer is intended to partially offset those expenses while the district pursues excess-cost reimbursement from the state.

Acting Superintendent Heather Borges confirmed the high-cost students are the source of the excess costs and said the town has been informed of the situation. \"Because we budgeted gross and we ended up with a deficit, the town didn't necessarily count on giving us that excess cost to cover it,\" she said. Ongoing salary savings from vacancies were also listed as a mitigation strategy.

The finance official said staff will continue daily monitoring of encumbrances and will update the board monthly. The board directed administration to process the approved transfer and to keep the council and public informed of any material changes.

Clarifying details and next steps
- District packet and meeting comments referenced a clinical-cost line of approximately $2,600,000 and an estimated special-education deficit in the range of $1,000,000 to $1,200,000; both figures were described as estimates and subject to change.
- The administration said the state’s \"excess cost\" reimbursement process may recoup some outlays, but timing and amount are not guaranteed.
- The finance office was assigned to process the journal transfers, tighten encumbrances and present monthly updates to the board.

Why it matters: Special-education expenditures are a major driver of district budgets; pending reimbursements and monthly monitoring will determine whether further transfers or town-level mitigation are required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 24, 2025 - Stratford Board of Education - Monthly Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","District finance staff told the Stratford Board of Education the special-education clinical-cost account is under pressure and the board approved a $555,702 transfer from salary accounts to clinical costs to partially offset an estimated deficit.","taxTitle","Stratford School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",64392,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":46,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625523,"Board approves budget transfers, several policies, two roof projects and a student trip",543,3777000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756777-81e6a50c170a0dfac2108ab115268ed2&start=3777&end=4320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756777-81e6a50c170a0dfac2108ab115268ed2/thumbnail_3777000.jpg","/articles/6625523/Connecticut/Board-approves-budget-transfers-several-policies-two-roof-projects-and-a-student-trip","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625523-e5b5ec8502fa618aa6a1a14e81438ce8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763307&Signature=GwBUyXDcVaXmia8XeuofYjDyQSAZK890VMqEk7S5-EiY-wiJ0PrlXs7Fu3lg0XG-NhHk2k6HSvB56qISmm-n~0Dtr7bK~XO9mkDrmxwqDDHXvqyQA3y8z2qSRJE2aNOuoACGvThTWDhj5vfscbUQR-VyXqVPn9eCzGj69j-7Jbhdug1QN6v4ll0BNq8tz7yDUSCNi~4XRxmMktODHnt3I-~PZfJd-LiwXJMKB2CXPbcftBKl4vtQb4r-ic~oMSZMfJfnVk8YRdBv8ut~vi7bGUZd~fTimLSzzCqbc5U~B9gErVWj6g~K91lmbaIS0r-90o2aKBq6gYNAwbX4jnHkJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stratford Board of Education on March 24 voted unanimously to move funds between budget lines, adopt several district policies, accept two state school construction projects as complete and approve a high-school student trip to an international DECA competition.

Board members approved three transfers of appropriated funds to reflect payroll and program changes: $484,511.82, $530,926.63 and $555,702. Those transfers shift budget authority among salary and clinical-cost accounts to cover retirements, resignations, new hires and vacancies.

The board also voted to adopt a set of policies on final reading, including a district policy on the use of artificial intelligence and updated policies on grants/donations, offenders on school property, minimum duty-free lunch periods and FAFSA procedures. Each policy passed on unanimous roll call.

Two roof-replacement projects were accepted as complete so the town can pursue state reimbursement: Chapel Street Elementary (state project number listed in packet) and Worcester Middle School (state project number listed in packet). The board recorded unanimous approval of both acceptances.

The board approved a request from Bunnell High School to send seven students and two chaperones to an international DECA competition in Orlando after the students placed among the top finishers at the state level.

Administratively, the board unanimously set graduation for Stratford High School and Bunnell High School for Tuesday, June 10, with the last day for students as June 11 and the last contracted day for teachers as June 12. The 2025–26 school-year calendar was discussed and left for later action.

Votes at a glance
- Minutes of the Feb. 24, 2025 regular meeting: approved unanimously.
- Personnel assignments, resignations and related HR items: approved unanimously.
- Budget transfer #1: $484,511.82 — approved (mover: Mr. Cormier; second: Mr. O'Brien; vote: unanimous).
- Budget transfer #2: $530,926.63 — approved (mover: Cielo Bauer; second: Mr. O'Brien; vote: unanimous).
- Budget transfer #3: $555,702 — approved (mover: not specified in the record; vote: unanimous).
- Acceptance of Chapel Street Elementary roof project as complete (state project referenced in packet): approved (mover: Mr. O'Brien; second: Miss Indigo Powers; vote: unanimous).
- Acceptance of Worcester Middle School roof project as complete (state project referenced in packet): approved (mover: not specified; second: Miss Carol Fabian; vote: unanimous).
- Policy on use of artificial intelligence: adopted (final reading) — unanimous.
- Policies: grants/donations; offenders on school property; minimum duty-free lunch periods; FAFSA policy — all adopted (final or first reading as announced) — unanimous.
- Bunnell High School DECA international trip (Orlando): approved (vote: unanimous).
- Graduation date (June 10) and last student day (June 11), last teacher day (June 12): approved — unanimous.

Why it matters: The transfers and policy adoptions set short-term budget and operational rules for the district; accepting the roof projects closes state construction files so the town can pursue reimbursement; approving the student trip lets qualifiers represent the district at the international level.

The board did not take final action on the 2025–26 district calendar; the administration asked board members to send questions to central office staff for further review.","The Stratford Board of Education unanimously approved three budget transfers totaling $1,570,140, adopted multiple policies including an artificial-intelligence use policy, accepted two school roof projects as complete and approved a DECA trip to an international competition in Orlando.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625508,"Stratford students win statewide contests; Bunnell DECA team cleared for international competition",3317,531000,3848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756777-81e6a50c170a0dfac2108ab115268ed2&start=531&end=3848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756777-81e6a50c170a0dfac2108ab115268ed2/thumbnail_531000.jpg","/articles/6625508/Connecticut/Stratford-students-win-statewide-contests-Bunnell-DECA-team-cleared-for-international-competition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625508-308eff633ec5b21c0cbdcd86af6aa359/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763307&Signature=IvqYFAtM4-PdgzygSEsaA576r6ldy4W-21z3hlzHdZa9Mn878BlyQ5p7kpJuCX31YM1oery0KuSDBKQ6WyVT2SEApMEkR~fOLurTf7fCEzBYn35tySP4dTKKvvlSWO5x7uGQRO1Gt5YvU-1BjEchAlNNEviMNcxviKFS6H2grWZNto~ULAot013ReQFyUSAcPsKPife6x~T4snriGToyE7JJh1v0ROXwYmpabArfO6dCzrfRK4aGTfAbYUGMrCyoBcEX8DJYI~aGBM3kcx2QRtFyj88IKvNyRCk7XuN5o2FO5wyYlcrEWFR7eL6TmbfDiDrydcoJLsWT3x6XDt6i~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Student representatives told the Stratford Board of Education on March 24 about recent competitive achievements and school events, including a first-place finish for a Stratford High math team and the boys basketball team defending its Division 3 state title.

Student representative Jenna Bernardo summarized upcoming tests and activities and congratulated students who signed letters of athletic commitment. \"Our boys basketball team successfully defended their Division 3 state title ... defeating Fitch High School 70 to 61,\" she reported.

A separate student speaker from Bunnell High School described the DECA project that earned a third-place state finish and qualified the team for the international conference in Orlando. The project, described as a \"project management career development\" initiative, combined a freshmen club fair, a dress-for-success presentation and college-and-career planning for juniors. The student said the team had already begun fundraising and that permission slips and proper forms were in order.

The board approved the DECA trip by unanimous vote and asked for a brief post-trip report when the students return.

Why it matters: Student competitive successes raise school morale and public recognition; the approved trip lets student leaders represent the district at the international level and obliges the school to report outcomes and fundraising status to the board.","Student representatives reported a string of competitive achievements — a math team first-place at Southern Connecticut State University, state basketball title defense, unified sports participation and multiple college commitments — and the board approved seven Bunnell DECA students to travel to the international competition in Orlando.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625513,"Union publicly backs acting superintendent; board narrows superintendent search to three candidates",377,363000,740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756777-81e6a50c170a0dfac2108ab115268ed2&start=363&end=740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756777-81e6a50c170a0dfac2108ab115268ed2/thumbnail_363000.jpg","/articles/6625513/Connecticut/Union-publicly-backs-acting-superintendent-board-narrows-superintendent-search-to-three-candidates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625513-068e9e3679f545f5ad4b8f24bb451629/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763307&Signature=jANqr1gK0Ry0-~JjUJyV7ruUyuPXkZl-k1coauUFVU6VdXO0tB4SAVYkQbA2NquFCQQSGqJ96o0bhC2c9knPS0SZmAxCEdK8jsSxO4QewwXi23NEqoWpv2dA2vY~Oki3VhHRaxOusK7ZN08IJ80Sb5RF9sJJC9j~GS0hh0ZunniNuisNtDOJ0tIjgobKw8Cs0deq4GXWV7Qg~s60AzCXEPiQvzDM0vu96UgRHwRLBRnm2amFape2DR46icw8LwfrRHkKDSUNxOw8YPGB~PrtmDFIfrReq7w6hrYyUiyHZzCv-7Fwic9JudIT5odRWInnHQq489qXWNfoL69evcSafw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A representative of the Stratford Education Association told the Board of Education on March 24 that the union would welcome Acting Superintendent Heather Borges as the district’s full superintendent if the board so chooses.

\"Three words that come to mind are vision, but also pragmatics and transparency,\" Michael Fiorello said during public comment, identifying himself as president of the Stratford Education Association and speaking both for himself and the association. He said he has worked with Borges in the district and praised her approach to special education, equity and collaboration with the union.

Separately in committee reports the board’s personnel committee said the superintendent search has advanced: the committee narrowed the field of applicants to three candidates and will hold interviews this week, followed by board deliberations. The committee chair said the board will also meet with acting superintendent Borges as part of the process.

No final appointment was made at the meeting. Board members said they would continue the selection process after interviews and deliberation.","During public comment the Stratford Education Association president urged the board to consider acting superintendent Heather Borges for the permanent post. Separately, the personnel committee said it narrowed the applicant pool to three and will conduct interviews this week.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears special-education budget strain; administration moves $555,702 into clinical-cost account

Board approves budget transfers, several policies, two roof projects and a student trip

Stratford students win statewide contests; Bunnell DECA team cleared for international competition

Union publicly backs acting superintendent; board narrows superintendent search to three candidates