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Cromwell Board of Education approves 6.25% budget increase after vote on electricity estimate for new middle school
Summary
The Cromwell Board of Education voted to raise the district'wide budget increase to 6.25% after agreeing to add $209,887 for electricity at the new middle school and recording a $44,612 pension saving; the motion passed at the regular meeting.
The Cromwell Board of Education voted to increase the district'wide proposed budget to a 6.25% year-over-year increase, approving an adjustment that adds $209,887 to the electricity line for the new middle school and reduces a pension estimate by $44,612.
The board approved the change after a discussion about the timing of planned solar-panel installations at the new middle school and the uncertainty about when they would begin producing savings. Chris Butwell, the district's director of finance, told the board the panels are unlikely to be installed and producing meaningful savings before the start of the next school year, and recommended budgeting for full electricity costs without assuming immediate solar offsets. "If we did not have solar panels," Butwell said, "we would budget the amount estimated for the bill," and he recommended the higher electricity estimate for safety.
The school'district also received a revised pension-share estimate from the town during the budget process; that reduction of $44,612 reduced the net increase from the adjustment. Butwell said the district had previously budgeted conservatively at a 60% special-education reimbursement rate; recent state action to add funds to the excess-cost grant has pushed the expected reimbursement closer to 72 percent.
Board members debated whether to draw on a projected surplus in the current year to buy items now and lower next year's ask. Superintendent Dr. Macri described one-time purchases the administration had already authorized, including an after-school tutoring expansion and equipment updates the district had deferred, and cautioned there are still unknowns (notably special-education outplacement costs) between now and June. "I don't know who's gonna be walking in the door, between now and June," Dr. Macri said, noting potential late enrollments that could change cost projections.
After discussion, board member Kelly Cloutier moved to present the revised budget (6.25% increase) to the town board of finance; Kelly Franklin seconded. The board voted in favor; the motion carried. The approved 6.25% figure will be forwarded to the town Board of Finance for its April consideration.
The discussion also noted a larger context: capital projects the town is taking on separately that historically had been part of the district's budget but are being coordinated with the town. Board members emphasized that those capital costs are distinct from the operating budget increase now being sent to the board of finance.
The board did not quantify the roll-call tally beyond general assent in the meeting record. The administration will provide more detailed projections to the board of finance as requested.
Ending: The board's action advances the district's budget for the coming fiscal year with explicit recognition of higher short-term electricity costs at the new middle school and pending state reimbursement updates for special education; the revised proposal will be presented to the town board of finance on its scheduled date.
