Windsor Locks Board approves $267,883 reduction to proposed FY25 school budget

The Windsor Locks Board of Education voted unanimously April 22 to reduce its proposed fiscal year 2025 operating budget by $267,883 and to pursue an appeal with the Board of Finance.

Superintendent S. Parkhurst told board members the Board of Finance had temporarily approved a FY25 figure of $33,025,838, representing a zero percent increase over FY24, and that the finance body planned to fund $2,500,000 from the district medical insurance line and $63,800 from technology for student‑issued devices. Parkhurst said those adjustments left an operating deficit of $2,846,021 in the district’s requested budget.

Board members reviewed a color‑coded budget worksheet from Parkhurst that flagged line items with minimal impact if reduced (highlighted in green) and others that would have more drastic district effects if cut (highlighted in red). After discussion, the board agreed to remove $267,883 from items identified as lower‑impact. The motion was made by D. Gragnolati, seconded by G. Guyette, and passed unanimously.

Alison Pierce, director of operations and finance, had reported March encumbrances of $3,314,846.17 and year‑to‑date encumbrances through March 31 of $24,073,971.19, leaving remaining encumbrances of $7,559,014.73 and a projected FY24 budget balance of $1,392,852.08 (4.22%). Those figures formed the financial backdrop for the board’s discussion about where reductions could be made with the least operational impact.

Next steps include the Board of Finance appeal meeting scheduled for April 23 at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall, where the board’s requested changes and rationale will be discussed.

Votes at the meeting on the budget reduction were recorded as unanimous.