At the Jan. 22 Budget & Finance Subcommittee, district finance staff reviewed results for the six months ended Dec. 31, 2024 and gave a midyear forecast that staff described as stable but requiring close monitoring.

The presenter told the subcommittee that the teacher and professional salary lines are showing substantial midyear surpluses driven by midyear breakage; instructional and academic support lines were also positive. Staff estimated a combined surplus in academic teacher/program/support lines in the low‑to‑mid seven figures (about $1.3 million to $1.4 million, as stated). Bus attendant/driver lines showed an estimated surplus of about $675,000, staff said, but the transportation account overall is expected to be under pressure because of outside vendor costs and rising prices for contracted services.

Projected deficits and balancing
Finance staff identified two major anticipated expense pressures: tuition for out‑of‑district placements (an anticipated deficit of about $1.5 million) and transportation (also an anticipated deficit staff described as similar in magnitude). Overall expense pressures were described as roughly $2.6 million, which the presenter said would be balanced in the current year by a higher‑than‑budgeted circuit‑breaker reimbursement. The budget had assumed $7,350,000 in circuit‑breaker reimbursement; the actual reimbursement reported to date is $8,388,804, producing an approximately $1,038,804 difference that staff expect will cover the forecasted expense gap and leave the year balanced, subject to monitoring.

Transportation hiring and contract vendors
Subcommittee members asked whether the transportation shortfall reflected use of outside vendors and driver shortages. Staff said the district has hired seven drivers since a recent contract settlement and that new routing work by staff members Kevin Seagal and Mike D'Racio aims to shift more routes back in‑house and reduce reliance on vendors. Staff cautioned, however, that vendor prices remain high and that some out‑of‑district special‑education transport is particularly expensive.

Grants and one‑time funding
Committee members asked about expiring grants such as ESSER. Staff said ESSER funds are largely spent and noted the district used about $1 million of ESSER funds through last September to support summer programs and related services. Administrators said they are tracking expiring grants and will provide a breakdown of grants that are ending and potential strategies to bridge gaps.

Committee response and next steps
Members asked for a follow‑up breakdown of expiring grant funds and for year‑to‑date and projected comparisons when the full budget is prepared. Staff said they will continue monthly monitoring and present updated figures as part of the regular budget reporting process.

Ending
Committee members said they were reassured by the circuit‑breaker outlook but urged continued attention to special education tuition and transportation costs. The subcommittee did not take an action vote on appropriations during the Jan. 22 meeting.