Stratford finance committee hears special-education shortfall; grant and enrollment updates provided

The Stratford School District Finance Committee was told Tuesday that the district's special-education budget faces a deficit now slightly above $2.8 million and that the district is projecting an overall budget shortfall of approximately $1 million for the fiscal year.

Miss Katie TV, a finance staff member, told the committee the special-education deficit stems mainly from out-of-district services, transportation and tuition accounts and that the $1 million projection assumes some savings from vacant positions and reductions in discretionary spending. "The most significant issue still remains to be the deficit in the special education budget, and it's now, at this point, slightly more than $2,800,000," Miss Katie TV said. "We're still projecting an overall budget deficit of approximately $1,000,000." She cautioned the estimate is subject to change if vacant positions are filled before the fiscal year ends.

The committee also received an update on grant funding. Miss Katie TV said the district received notice of a 21st Century grant for the middle schools with a total award of $245,640 and that, because the award notification arrived late, the district was allowed to revise its spending plan for the current year and subsequent years. "The total grant amount is $245,640," she said. She added that the award period will end on June 30, 2027, and that money may carry over for the full three-year grant period.

On state funding, Miss Katie TV said there had been no change to current-year state support. She reported a small increase in excess-cost aid for special-education needs that could yield about $600,000 for Stratford, but that other state funding areas remain flat. She warned that the state would need a substantially larger increase to reach higher funding targets.

The committee reviewed school nutrition finances, with Miss Katie TV saying the December school lunch report reflected a "very sound financial position" and consistent participation levels. She noted purchases and any expenses charged to the school lunch fund must be approved by the Connecticut State Department of Education. "Any expense that we do cost out to the school lunch program fund has to be approved by the state," she said.

Committee members were also given an enrollment update. Miss Katie TV reported an increase of 50 in-district students since Oct. 1 and that total enrollment rose by 19 from the prior month's report. She said projected enrollments for the 2025-26 school year had been provided and warned the numbers remain fluid, particularly in light of the board-approved redistricting scenario.

Procedural items: the committee voted to accept the Jan. 27, 2025, special-meeting minutes. The motion to accept the minutes was moved by Mister O'Brien and seconded by Miss Carol Fabian and passed unanimously. A motion to adjourn was moved and passed unanimously later in the meeting.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about the timing and scope of grant-funded programs, the potential for vacant positions to be filled before year-end and the state approval process for school lunch purchases. Staff said they will continue to monitor special-education spending and update the committee monthly.

The committee scheduled its next meeting for March 24, 2025.