Darien finance committee forecasts $490,512 surplus, recommends seven transfers to cover repairs, software and staffing

The Darien School District Board of Education finance committee reviewed the July 2025 financial report at a special meeting Sept. 12 and was told the district is forecasting a $490,512 positive balance for fiscal year 2026.

The projection reflects a mix of new savings from revised salary schedules and one-time or early-year deficits, the committee heard. The presenter identified specific line items: a 0.2 full-time-equivalent French teacher at the middle school (a $23,005.48 deficit), an additional elementary section at Henley (a $88,006.31 deficit), and $112,002.16 in savings tied to a revised paraprofessional schedule. Savings from new salary schedules were also reported for secretaries ($9,653), custodians ($15,007.87) and maintenance staff ($43,005.89).

Two vacant HVAC positions have led the district to contract out repairs; the presenter said that contracting costs created an $85,005.34 deficit in that line. "If anybody knows of any HVAC people, we'd love to see a resume," the presenter said when asked about recruitment.

Other items affecting the early-year picture included a $14,400 anticipated deficit in the food service subsidy tied to calendar changes for early-release professional development days, a $6,000 software charge for board-management software (one discussed higher package would be $10,200), and turnover that exceeded expectations by $189,005.29. Contract support produced a favorable variance of $44,009.89, attributed to favorable settlements with…