Wallingford School District projects $430,000 surplus; special-education tuition cited as main driver
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Summary
District finance staff reported a $430,000 increase in projected surplus for the month, driven largely by special-education tuition and benefit-plan shifts; officials warned of utility cost pressure and recommended reallocating $2,400 for press-box repairs.
Mister Barone, a district staff member, told the Wallingford School District operations committee on Feb. 18 that the district’s monthly projection showed a $430,000 increase in surplus, driven primarily by special‑education tuition that reduced a prior deficit by $309,000.
The projection matters because it affects budget planning for the rest of the year and next year’s budget assumptions. Barone said benefit‑plan shifts produced $61,000 in savings and that wages rose by $76,000 "driven by the vacancies" and by staff coverage patterns. He also noted a $7,000 change in unemployment largely resulting from an account challenge that yielded a refund.
"The projection for this month ... the increase is, $430,000, and the the main driver was really the special ed tuition," Mister Barone said. He added that excess cost was reduced by $39,000 and that some savings came from employees moving to lower‑cost plans.
Barone flagged utilities as an open concern, saying recent weather is likely to raise consumption and that invoices are still arriving, so he expects a clearer picture next month. He also identified a $16,000 maintenance deficit tied to Sheehan repairs and said additional unexpected items have appeared that staff will address.
On small capital items, Barone said press‑box quotes came in higher than expected — about $1,200 per unit — and recommended moving $2,400 from the unallocated account to cover two press boxes. He also said the district expects to release an energy‑efficiency RFP near the end of the month (he referenced the 24th or 25th) and that the resulting project discussion will return to the committee.
The committee took verbal consensus to forward agenda items 4.1 and 4.2 to the full board meeting scheduled for the 23rd, with members voicing "aye." The chair characterized these as consensus votes and did not conduct a roll‑call tally.
The finance presentation closed with staff noting they will incorporate observed staffing and benefit trends into next year’s budget planning. The committee asked no further questions during the financial report.
Next steps: staff will monitor utility invoices and update next month’s projection; the energy RFP and the press‑box funding change are expected to be considered again at upcoming meetings.