Board authorizes non‑lapsing account; debate ensues over buses, start times and a possible interim appropriation

Board authorizes non‑lapsing account; debate ensues over buses, start times and a possible interim appropriation

The Greenwich Board of Education voted to allow administration to deposit fiscal year 2024–25 unexpended funds into a non‑lapsing account, clearing the way for the district to hold leftover funds into a dedicated account and return to the board later to approve any expenditures.

Why it matters: Board members and administrators said the authority gives the district a mechanism to hold one‑time savings to cover known contract shortfalls in transportation and to avoid asking the town for emergency funds immediately. Board members disagreed over whether the newly projected surplus should be used now to reverse the high‑school start time change or whether the board should pursue a formal interim appropriation from the town’s governing bodies.

The motion the board approved authorizes the administration to deposit all FY24‑25 unexpended funds into a non‑lapsing account under CGS 10‑248a and Public Act 24‑45, the statute that expanded local boards’ ability to carry unexpended appropriations forward. The administration explained the statutory language permits…