Coventry School Committee members voted unanimously to adopt a revised five‑year budget projection after hearing updated fiscal‑year‑end numbers that show a larger‑than‑anticipated surplus for FY25.

Business official Chris Diverna presented preliminary FY25 closing figures showing roughly $81.7 million in revenues and about $80.4 million in expenditures and said the district currently expects to report a surplus in excess of $1 million that can be applied to reduce the district’s accumulated deficit. Diverna told the committee he had built a roughly $333,000 contingency reserve into the projection to cover any late audit adjustments; the district’s preliminary projection for transfers and reserves raised the projected FY25 surplus above the initial $140,000 set aside for deficit reduction.

Chief financial presenters said the effect of the surplus is material: the accumulated deficit—previously reported at about $5.859 million—would fall by approximately $1 million under the updated closing, leaving a smaller deficit to address in the five‑year plan. Using the updated FY25 numbers and the currently negotiated teacher compensation schedule (the scenario presented as version 1.1), the projection shows the accumulated deficit moving into a positive position by fiscal year 2029.

Committee members asked about the timing and risks. Member Anna Isabel Dos Reycouto and others asked whether healthcare reserve funds and run‑out amounts were included; staff said reserve balances (for prior health plans and dental) were not yet finalized and were not included in the projection. The superintendent said audits and closing entries remain under review and that final audit issuance could change some figures, but he said staff were confident the preliminary numbers supported the improved outlook.

The committee adopted version 1.1 (the projection updated with FY25 preliminary actuals and assuming the negotiated teacher contract) by a 6–0 vote. Committee members and administration emphasized that the projection is a planning tool: if the town council does not ratify the teacher contract, staff said the committee will present alternative projections to the council in December and will adjust budgeting choices during the 2026 budget cycle.

No new appropriations were approved at the meeting; the vote adopted an official five‑year projection the district will deliver to municipal officials and the state as required by local charter and state reporting requirements.