Finance committee recommends FY25 budget that restores five positions and adds staff, space and program investments

The New London Board of Education Finance & Audit Committee on Aug. 26 approved and recommended a revised Fiscal Year 2025 budget to the full board after reviewing new revenue and cost updates.

Rob Funk, the district’s chief financial officer, presented the budget changes, saying the draft includes new revenue from a recently awarded grant for the early childhood program at B.P. Mission, increased magnet tuition revenue, and lower-than-expected health insurance costs. He also noted the district is awaiting the results of two competitive grant applications — one for an expansion of magnet-themed programming and another for expanded after-school clubs and services — with news expected in September.

On the cost side, Funk outlined several staffing and operational additions: the budget adds a 1.0 full-time-equivalent athletic trainer; restores five previously eliminated positions (a Director of Academics, three Wellness Interventionists and a Technology Specialist); funds the acquisition of adjacent vacant office space at the Welcome Center for Human Resources; includes contract and software costs related to managing new nursing staff; reflects added wage costs tied to early negotiations on the AFT contract; and adds a hybrid substitute position to support B.P. Mission.

Committee Chair Elaine Maynard-Adams moved approval of the proposed FY25 budget and adjustments and Ms. Alisha Blake seconded. The motion carried, 3-0. The committee’s approval forwards the revised budget to the full Board of Education for consideration.

Funk told the committee the draft budget and these supporting documents will be on the full board agenda following the committee meeting. No further public comment was recorded during the committee session.