Sterling Board approves 2025-26 budget, hears grant offsets and enrollment caveats

At its Sept. 17 meeting, the Sterling Board of Education approved the district's Budget and Expense Report for fiscal year 2025-26 following a financial briefing by Business Manager Sara Howley.

Howley told the board the total approved budget for 2025-26 is $8,474,689, a 1.75% increase over the prior year, and said the district ended FY 2024-25 with $100,641.77 remaining. "Tuitions continue to be fluid," Howley said, referencing two new outplacements and several student program shifts that could alter projected costs; the district is awaiting Oct. 1 enrollment numbers to finalize some figures. She said the district is currently tracking about $100,000 in overages for the year but plans to use newly awarded grants and internal savings where possible.

Howley detailed three grants available to the district: SEED ($35,574) for special education salaries, benefits and supplies; DRIP ($46,666) for minor capital improvements in maintenance; and Primary Mental Health ($16,600) to support para salaries and benefits in special education. She also reported a 2% non-lapsing account balance of $691,326 and a Special Education Reserve of $500,000 as financial cushions.

Catherine Malo moved to approve the Budget and Expense Report as presented; Dorothy Capobianco seconded. The board voted unanimously to approve the report.

The Business Manager noted the district is maintaining a list of items that could be moved to the 2% account if needed and reiterated that final budget adjustments depend on the October enrollment snapshot.