Danbury committee names Kate Kaneta chair, outlines budget outreach and special-education funding concerns

Kate Kaneta was selected to chair the Danbury School District Community Relations Committee, and committee members discussed plans to educate families about the district budget and tracked several state bills and special-education funding proposals that could affect local revenue.

The selection of Kate Kaneta as chair came at the meeting’s outset; a motion to appoint her was made and seconded, and the committee proceeded with the agenda with Kaneta leading the discussion. The committee then heard updates on community events and on budget advocacy from district staff.

Dr. Mead, a district staff member in the Office of Family School Community Partnerships, summarized upcoming events aimed at families, including an early childhood fair on April 5 at Rogers Park and the district’s Family University on April 26 at Rogers Park. “We would certainly advocate for [board participation],” Dr. Mead said, noting that board members had previously staffed a table at Family University to gather parent concerns and provide one-on-one conversations. She offered to prepare short talking points or a simple card in multiple languages so parents — including English-language learners — know whom to contact and what to say when discussing the budget.

Mike (district staff involved in finance and government relations) provided a budget update: the board-approved budget passed on Jan. 22 and has been transmitted to the city. Mike said the district is finishing the budget book and expects to distribute it to board members, the city council and community stakeholders the following week. Key dates cited by staff: the board will present its budget to the City Council on April 1, and the city’s vote on the mayor’s budget is scheduled for May 6. CABE’s (Connecticut Association of Boards of Education) “day on the hill” is March 12; a separate Danbury-specific legislative day is being planned but had not been scheduled.

The committee also reviewed state legislation the district is tracking. Staff said the district submitted testimony on HB 6869 (a dual-credit/early-college bill) and HB 6864 (the governor’s general education budget), and identified a bill under active discussion that would change the excess-cost reimbursement formula for special education. Mike said that these bills are at an early stage in the legislative session but could be folded into larger implementer or omnibus bills later in the year.

Dr. Casimir (district staff) described the excess-cost mechanism for special education: the district may apply to the state for reimbursement for costs above a defined threshold (described at the meeting as 4.5 times the average cost of educating a typical student). The group said the threshold amount equates to roughly $76,000 per student; historically the state has reimbursed districts at rates between about 40% and 70% of eligible excess-cost dollars. The district estimated that, if allocations and final language are favorable, Danbury could recoup roughly $300,000–$400,000 in the current year pending final approval and reimbursement percentages. Staff cautioned that the special-education funding picture remains fluid and depends on final legislative language and budget allocations.

Committee members discussed outreach strategies to build community understanding and support for the budget. Gladys (committee member) urged repeating last year’s model of hosting budget information in neighborhood sites and making the sessions family-friendly to draw parents. The committee discussed using the March 26 Community Relations meeting as the anchor for a community budget session — possibly moving the meeting earlier, holding it at a school near dismissal, offering a short in-person program with child activities, and televising or streaming the presentation for those who cannot attend. Staff said they would explore school availability, consider a Saturday option, and circulate final plans by email.

Procedural note: the meeting ended after a motion to adjourn was made and seconded and a voice vote recorded in favor.

Why it matters: the committee’s outreach plans aim to raise public awareness of the board’s budget request before the city council hearing cycle begins, while the state-level special-education and dual-credit proposals discussed could change how much state aid Danbury receives and therefore affect the city contribution the board seeks.

Looking ahead, staff will finalize and distribute the budget book, confirm dates for the district’s legislative advocacy events, and return to the committee with a concrete plan for community budget sessions (timing, location, language access and streaming options).