Cheshire Board hears September finance report; district eligible for $180,000 DRIP facilities allocation

The Cheshire Board of Education received its September financial report, which showed the district's fiscal-year budget and early-year spending patterns and flagged a potential state facilities grant allocation.

"Our budget for this fiscal year is $93,000,000.124314 dollars. And as of September 30, we've spent, 68,000,000 of of that 93,000,000, which is about 73.6%," Finance presenter Emily Taylor told the board. She said certified salaries have been encumbered while classified salaries have not.

Taylor outlined three notable items: the expansion of Connecticut paid leave affecting classified staff, ongoing energy-price management including propane purchases, and potential eligibility for the new District Repair and Improvement Program. "Cheshire's eligible for about a $180,000," she said of the DRIP allocation, but added that application details will not be released until mid-2026 and the district does not yet know the eligible uses.

Board members asked whether the DRIP figure reflected a state deprioritization of HVAC work; Taylor responded that allocations are need-based and that the program will distribute about $60 million statewide. Members also asked for clarification on propane costs and the status of Darcy and Chapman school buildings; Taylor said the district would meet with town officials on carrying costs and would maintain minimal heat during transitions.

Taylor reported the medical benefits fund budget is $15,958,339 for the year and that the district has been contributing about $1.2 million to reserves to cover anticipated expenditures.

What happens next: staff said they will monitor DRIP guidance when the Office of Policy and Management releases application details and will return with additional financial information, including September and October benefits reports, at the next finance update.