Darien finance committee forecasts $572,310 surplus, recommends $27,000 transfer for superintendent search and prioritizes ViewSonic replacements and phone-lock

Darien Public Schools finance staff told the committee on May 15 that the district is forecasting a year‑to‑date surplus of $572,310 through April, an improvement of $145,003.70 from the prior month, and outlined several options for how to use that surplus.

The surplus figure reflects an increase in excess cost reimbursement after the state processed the district’s March filing, which staff said added approximately $66,000, and two unilateral out‑of‑district settlement payments that came in lower than expected, freeing roughly $62,000. Other identified improvements included turnover savings in building‑substitute accounts and salary step/level savings. ‘‘We are forecasting a surplus of 572,310,’’ Finance staff member Rich said when presenting the April financial report.

Why it matters: committee members said they want to avoid an end‑of‑year rush to spend unexpected carryover and to balance returning funds to town budgeting assumptions with addressing near‑term needs that would otherwise degrade services or create larger future costs.

Budget transfer for superintendent search

The committee considered one recommended transfer: $27,000 to fund a…