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Norwalk financial update: city appropriation contingent on state grant; CEP meals funding secured for year
Summary
Finance staff told the Norwalk Board of Education the FY26 budget remains $242.7 million and that a $4.5 million city appropriation (of which $1.5M is received and $3M depends on the city receiving a $10M state grant) is earmarked to reinstate more than 50 positions.
Norwalk finance staff presented the monthly financial report as of Sept. 30 and provided updates on grant and food-service funding.
Mr. Osmani (presenter) said the approved FY26 budget base was $242,700,000. The board subsequently agreed to a $4.5 million appropriation from the city and a $2 million appropriation to the district’s health-insurance account for a combined $6.5 million in additions. Of the $4.5 million appropriation, $1.5 million has been received; $3 million remains contingent on the city receiving a $10 million state grant, Mr. Osmani said.
Staff said the $4.5 million appropriation funded the reinstatement of just over 50 positions (the presenter said 52 positions at several points). Mr. Osmani said that the year‑to‑date operating spend is below the percent‑of‑year point (about 17% spent at 25% of the fiscal year), which he attributed to timing and typical spending patterns.
On grants, staff reported confirmation that the district’s MSAP (Magnet School Assistance Program) five‑year grant is funded for the upcoming year. The district also noted an increase in alliance funding: Mr. Osmani said alliance funding for this year is about $6.3 million (up from about $5.58 million the previous year), and he explained that part of the district allocation is routed through the city.
On food services, the district said it has rejoined the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and that a combination of philanthropic contributions and a $200,000 city commitment (pending approval at a special Board of Estimates and Taxation meeting) will help close the fund gap for this fiscal year. District staff said they are reprojecting food-service revenues with CEP rates and are coordinating with Chartwells to finalize estimates.
Mr. Osmani said the district would continue to monitor the health-insurance and food-service accounts and expects to receive the remaining city appropriation when the city receives the stated grant funding. Board members praised the philanthropic and city support for CEP and stressed continuing advocacy to sustain free meals for students.
No board action was taken on the budget numbers during the presentation; items related to acceptance of completed projects and routine consent approvals were handled in the consent section of the meeting (motions recorded separately).
