Chicopee finance director: FY26 spending on track; special-education 'circuit breaker' reimbursement expected to rise

John Mieurecki, director of budget and finance for Chicopee Public Schools, told the school committee on Oct. 15 that the district had used roughly 20% of its general fund budget through Sept. 30 and that several line items were encumbered early for the school year.

Mieurecki walked the committee through the FY26 budget report layout — approved June 2025 figures, transfers/adjustments, encumbrances and percent used — and explained his color-coding: green for 0–25% used, yellow for 26–50% and red above 50% at the quarter pole. He noted that salary accounts may show lower percentages early in the year because payroll timing differs across pay schedules.

He cautioned the committee to watch variable lines such as tuitions and out-of-district placements for special education; those accounts were at a relatively low percentage now but could rise as placements are finalized. “Once they are completed, I can guarantee you when you look at the halfway point, that number will be much higher,” Mieurecki said.

Mieurecki highlighted the district’s circuit breaker reimbursements for special-education costs — a state program that reimburses districts for high-cost special‑education placements above a threshold — and credited district staff for increasing claims. He said the district expects to receive almost $2.2 million for FY26, a step up from prior years.

Committee members also asked about the October 1 free-and-reduced-lunch reporting window, which can affect state and federal funding; Mieurecki said the certification had not been completed as of the Oct. 15 meeting. He said transportation, rental and utilities are commonly high‑encumbrance lines early in the year because contracts and payments are established at the start of the fiscal cycle.

No formal budget votes were recorded at this presentation; the director answered questions and the committee moved on to other agenda items.