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Weston reports modest early‑year deficit; staff point to salary lines, consulting and health plan pressures
Summary
At the Oct. 17 meeting the district's finance staff reported a roughly $300,000 start‑of‑year deficit driven by salary‑line shortfalls, unbudgeted consulting and technology costs, and projected increases in certain insurance plans; nonresident tuition revenue is trending above budget.
Dee, the district finance staff member, told the Facilities and Finance Committee on Oct. 17 that the Weston School District is starting the fiscal year with a modest projected deficit of roughly $300,000 but that the figure is not yet cause for alarm.
Dee said the district is about $211,000 over in salary lines because expected turnover and FMLA savings have not materialized. "We have a small deficit in salary line. We haven't met that target for turnover and FML savings just yet," Dee said.
Professional‑services spending is running about $67,000 over budget so far, Dee said, and includes an unplanned consulting fee of about $35,000 for Brown and Brown related to health‑insurance work; in prior years that cost had been covered by the carrier. Dee also cited subscription and migration costs for virtual‑server changes as another driver.
On benefits, Dee said claims experience is a continuing concern and that the district's Medicare supplemental plan for retirees is expected to increase roughly 29 percent; the net cost over the one‑year term for that supplemental plan is about $11,000, she said. Dee warned that the state partnership plan ended the year June 30 with a negative fund balance, which could contribute to higher premiums for the district in fiscal year 2027 depending on state actions.
Special education costs remain volatile, Dee said, driven by changing placements and transportation needs; at present the tuition line is slightly over budget while settlements are slightly below, leaving a near‑neutral net position. On the revenue side, nonresident tuition is trending above budget by approximately $101,000, which Dee said will partially offset pressures.
Dee said the district will monitor the trends and report back if the deficit grows. Enrollment and staffing changes will be discussed at the district's November meeting, when updated projections from the M P & P planning group will also be presented.
There were no formal budgetary votes at the Oct. 17 meeting; staff committed to continued monitoring and reporting to the board.
