Norwalk finance committee approves two transfers as special-education costs, health insurance increases widen FY26 gap

The Norwalk Board of Education Finance Committee on April 9 approved two budget transfers and received an update showing higher-than-expected special-education outsourcing costs and an operating-budget shortfall for fiscal 2026.

“We're at 70.9%,” Linda Azmani, chief financial officer for the Norwalk School District, said of year-to-date general-fund spending through March, adding that the district is about 75% of the way through the fiscal year. The committee approved two transfers to reallocate funds between school budgets; the motion to move the transfers was made by Ms. Fahey and seconded by Board Chair Diana Carpio and was recorded as passed.

The committee’s discussion centered on three budget areas: the general fund, grants, and food services. Azmani said salaries remain the district’s largest expense and noted a timing effect for summer pay; she reported the general fund was 70.9% spent for the year to date, while salaries were at about 68% spent. Azmani also flagged “other student services” — where the district pays out-of-district tuition — as a pressure point: the…