Board hears near‑final 2024‑25 budget results, new state special‑education grant and insurance shortfall

Norwich finance staff on Tuesday reported the district is projecting a razor‑thin favorable variance for fiscal 2024‑25 after an early budget freeze and several non‑salary savings, but flagged a larger structural concern in the district’s self‑insured health plan that will require attention.

A staff presenter summarized year‑to‑date savings and drivers. Natural gas heating costs fell from about $607,000 two years ago to an estimated $306,000 this year — a roughly $301,000 reduction — and diesel/gas purchases for transportation fell from about $676,000 to roughly $509,000, a roughly $167,000 savings. Combined, staff said those utility and fuel improvements contributed nearly $468,000 in savings compared with prior years. Transport contracting changes and bus routing opt‑ins…