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Board approves $494,457 in nonpersonnel reductions, including Schoology and consultant lines
Summary
The Greenwich Board of Education voted to cut a package of nonpersonnel budget items totaling $494,457, removing or reducing several software, curriculum and professional-development lines to help close the operating shortfall.
The Greenwich Board of Education voted to remove or reduce several nonpersonnel budget items on a roll-call vote Wednesday evening, approving cuts that total $494,457.
The package includes reductions to the Schoology learning-management software line, cuts to curriculum and instruction materials, elimination of several district-level professional development items and reductions to stipends for middle- and high-school learning facilitator roles, board members and district staff said during the meeting. Dr. Jones, a district administrator who answered detailed questions about transitions and implementation, told the board the district believes it can transition materials out of Schoology and manage the change without major risk.
Board Chair Kathleen Stowe said the decision is the result of “being good stewards” and the need to start the year “not in the red.” Michael Joseph moved the package; the board completed the vote after an amendment and procedural steps, and the item passed as presented.
Board members debated one line in the package — a proposed $15-per-student per-pupil allocation reduction — and temporarily removed it from the motion for separate consideration during discussion. After discussion and an amendment process, the board returned to and approved the bundled items as described.
Dr. Jones told members the Schoology line is relatively small and that the district will do a deeper review before making final changes. “We feel good about it, but I just say that it’s not a $600,000 item,” Dr. Jones said, referring to relative scale within the budget. He also described the consultant line as funding rollout and training for new programs and software rather than a single recurring contract.
The vote marks the board’s first set of formal reductions in its multiday budget review; members said more votes remain for staffing and transportation decisions. Board members repeatedly cautioned that these are budget-driven choices, not endorsements that the programs are unwarranted.
The board plans to continue its deliberations at a follow-up meeting next Thursday, when remaining high-dollar personnel and transportation items will be discussed.
