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Thompson BOE moves to seek supplemental funds as kitchen equipment and special-education costs pressure budget
Summary
Board members heard that projected full-year spending is 99.6% of a $21.8M budget, discussed $214,439 available from DRIP and two non-lapsing accounts, tabled a proposed purchase from the BOE non-lapsing account, and voted to send a supplemental appropriation letter to the Board of Finance.
Thompson Board of Education members reviewed near-year budget pressures and agreed to pursue a supplemental appropriation to the Board of Finance after learning projected full-year spending would reach roughly $21.7 million.
At the meeting on Dec. 8, 2025, William Steglitz, reporting under the finance/facilities update, said year-to-date spending was $9.8 million, or 45% of a $21.8 million budget, and projected full-year spending of $21.7 million (about 99.6%). He told the board the district anticipates approximately $140,000 in 2026 special-education excess cost payments and has $222,000 remaining in IDEA funds that typically support special-education salaries. Steglitz said two cost drivers projected to be over budget are out-of-district placements (about $380,000) and RBT and related services (about $66,500), partly offset by lower special-education transportation costs.
Superintendent Melinda Smith described funding available for capital needs: a state District Repair Improvement Project (DRIP) allocation of $70,000 plus two non-lapsing accounts that together bring available funds to $214,439. Smith said the district must also reconcile a FY25 deficit she identified at $65,000, primarily caused by special-education over-expenditures, and noted outstanding cafeteria and high-school locker equipment issues.
Food Services Director Deb Mita told the board that kitchen equipment across three schools is critical and several items need replacement to remain health-compliant; she also described policies for managing negative lunch accounts and an upcoming Open Cafe event ahead of an April audit.
Board member Kristin Schultz moved to authorize use of $32,893 from the BOE-controlled non-lapsing account to purchase a new steamer for food services; that motion received no second and therefore failed. Justin Yong then moved, and Matthew Polsky seconded, to table further discussion of non-lapsing accounts and DRIP funds to a Financial Subcommittee meeting; that motion passed unanimously.
After further discussion, Justin Yong moved and Matthew Polsky seconded that the board forward a supplemental appropriation letter to the Board of Finance to address projected FY26 shortfalls; that motion passed unanimously.
Votes at a glance - Approval of Dec. 8, 2025 minutes: motion by Kristin Schultz, seconded by Justin Yong — passes (unanimous). - Motion to use $32,893 from BOE non-lapsing account for a steamer: moved by Kristin Schultz — no second, failed. - Motion to table DRIP/non-lapsing discussion to Financial Subcommittee: moved by Justin Yong, seconded by Matthew Polsky — passes (unanimous). - Motion to forward supplemental appropriation letter to the Board of Finance: moved by Justin Yong, seconded by Matthew Polsky — passes (unanimous). - Re-appointment of Danielle Pederson as BOE Recording Secretary: motion by Kristin Schultz, seconded by Matthew Polsky — passes (unanimous).
The board did not set dollar amounts for any supplemental appropriation at the meeting; next procedural steps are a Financial Subcommittee review of DRIP and non-lapsing-account options and forwarding the supplemental request to the Board of Finance.
