Finance committee reviews October report, recommends transfers to cover electricity shortfall and HVAC repairs

The Darien School District Board of Education Finance Committee reviewed the October 2025 financial report and heard from district finance staff that the district shows a positive balance of $589,006, an increase of $88,397 from the prior month.

"This is the financial report, through October. We do show a positive balance of $589,006," Rich said, opening the presentation. He identified tuition (about $133,000) and ESY timing changes (an $86,615 savings due to a later ESY start) among the drivers of the improved balance, and described a mix of staffing and turnover savings across multiple RCs.

Rich identified the largest negative change as electricity costs. He said the district is "forecasting a deficit of 112,256," and later presented recommended budget transfers to address the shortfall. Citing the same electricity issue, Rich explained that Connecticut's recent "day-ahead services" initiative has shifted how suppliers set prices in real time and increased volatility in demand and cost.

To respond, Rich recommended two transfers: first, to cover the electricity shortfall (the transcript records a forecasted deficit figure of 112,256 in one exchange and later lists a transfer amount of $112,002.56); he recommended most of those funds come from the later ESY start (about $86,000) plus turnover and salary-schedule savings across several RCs. Second, he recommended moving $25,000 into contracted HVAC repairs from an unfilled HVAC salary line. "So we have 2 transfers to recommend. The first is to cover that electricity, shortfall of $112,002.56," Rich said when presenting the motions.

A board member pressed on ESY details and was told the $86,615 figure reflects roughly five program days (including one staff training day that counts in scheduling but not as an instructional student day). On transportation, staff said a $40,000 placeholder exists for a potential study of school start times, but the study is contingent on the bus depot feasibility; staff cautioned that if a depot is not feasible, changing schedules could add substantial costs—"potentially 1,000,000 dollars," a staff speaker estimated, if schedules were adjusted without a depot solution.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about whether the electricity forecast covered the fall or the full year; Rich replied the figure was a full-year forecast and noted the district tracks meter-level demand and usage across schools. Rich also said the town has seen similar demand changes and continues to carry a public benefit charge on accounts, partly mitigated by state bonding; the power company mentioned was Eversource.

Members indicated general support for the transfers during the discussion but the transcript does not record a formal roll-call vote on the transfers. There were no public comments. The committee adjourned.

The recommended transfers and the flagged electricity volatility will be items for ongoing monitoring; the transcript indicates staff will adjust placeholders once bids or further information arrive.