Board approves $151,004 in transfers to fund special-education pipeline, tech PD and custodial reallocation

The Norwalk Board of Education finance committee on Feb. 11 approved four budget transfers totaling $151,004.50 to cover two special-education pipeline hires, technology needs and a custodial reallocation.

Budget director Kristen Karsmit told the committee the largest transfer — $57,000 — moves money from a reserve teacher holding account to cover two pipeline positions tied to special education: a teacher and a speech‑language pathologist. "These are pipeline positions," Karsmit said, adding that new hires will fill vacancies when they arise so the district can avoid shortages and service interruptions.

Karsmit said two technology-related transfers were included: $25,000 moved from repairs and maintenance to certified hourly to pay staff leading professional development on AI and digital‑citizenship curriculum for grades 3–8, and $40,000 moved from repairs and maintenance to an instructional‑equipment account to cover routine repairs and replacement of computers and other devices. She also described a facilities transfer to reassign custodial funding from the Silvermine building to Norwalk High School; some buildings are fully outsourced to contractor Afinco.

"Those 4 transfers total $151,004.50," Karsmit said. Chair Sherry McCready Pritchett called for a motion to approve the transfers; the motion was made and the committee approved them on a voice vote.

The committee did not identify a mover or seconder on the transfers agenda item in the record. Board members briefly asked staff whether the district is trending toward more special‑education transfers than last year; staff said the district budgeted closer to projected special‑education needs for the current year and that transfers were lower now than at the same point last year but that additional transfers are typically seen in April as needs materialize.

Next steps: staff will continue monitoring special‑education costs and return budget reports at future finance committee meetings.