District finance update: $36.8M expended, $8M encumbered; auditorium painting can be bid but lower‑playground delayed

Assistant Superintendent of Finance Mike Perlman updated the School Committee on district finances on June 5, saying the district had expended roughly $36.8 million and had about $8 million encumbered as of May 31. On that accounting, staff reported an available balance of about $1.87 million as the fiscal year closed.

Perlman told the committee that June is a heavy payroll month because many staff elect to defer portions of pay into the summer and that the district is continuing to track special‑education tuition and other off‑budget needs. He said the district had gone back to bid for several capital items that had been removed during earlier budget cuts, including finishing work in the performing arts center; the painting contract for the auditorium is anticipated to be awarded and — if work begins before June 30 and surplus funds are available — paint work could be paid from FY25 surplus.

A larger capital item, the Glover elementary playground, will not be ready to start before June 30 and therefore cannot be charged against FY25 funds; staff said the playground project will need to be carried into next year’s budget or handled via a line‑item transfer in FY26. Committee members and town finance staff discussed prepayment rules for some items (state law limits on prepaying certain obligations) and said they would investigate what can legally be prepaid to reduce year‑end pressure.

Committee members noted collaborative examples of town departments and private donors saving district funds (for example, reducing scoreboard costs through interdepartmental cooperation and private fundraising). No formal budget votes were taken at the meeting; staff said they would return with any recommended transfers, final contract awards and details before the fiscal year is closed.