District projects $138,000 December surplus while special-education deficits grow

The Wallingford School District’s finance director told the operations committee on Dec. 9 that the district is projecting a $138,000 surplus for December, a $17,000 improvement from the prior month, while cautioning that special-education tuition deficits have increased.

"We're projecting a hundred and $38,000 surplus," Mr. Barone said as he reviewed the projection document. He reported the tuition-related projected deficit rose to about $1,285,000 from $921,000, an increase of roughly $364,000, and that excess cost reimbursement increased by approximately $242,000 to $280,000. Taken together, Barone said the net special-education deficit increased by about $122,000 and staff will continue to monitor those accounts and may use a 2% reserve if needed.

Barone also cited a $78,000 improvement in transportation surplus after the district canceled a roughly $90,000 vehicle purchase when a student left the district, and a $66,000 salary surplus largely tied to vacancies in clerical, custodial and other positions. He said unemployment and contingency accounts were unchanged for the month.

Barone presented proposed transfers from the district’s 2% fund (including the $90,000 transfer to Lyman Hall) and staff indicated they will forward the financial documents—excluding transfers that need full-board action—to the Dec. 16 full-board meeting.

What happens next: The committee forwarded financial documents to the full board for consideration; if the board approves any proposed transfers or budget changes, staff will implement the adjustments and report back.