Ansonia Board approves quarterly budget transfers, rounds figures to whole dollars

The Ansonia Board of Education on March 11 unanimously approved a package of intra-district budget transfers recommended by its Finance Committee and agreed to round amounts to the nearest dollar for accounting purposes.

Dr. Steven Adamowski, reporting for the Finance Committee, told the Board the transfers were necessary to balance third-quarter accounts and that the committee voted to forward the recommendation to the full Board. The motion to accept the transfers, including the rounding policy, passed on a recorded vote with all seven members in favor.

School Business Administrator Erich Marriott reviewed year-to-date finances and grant receipts, including recent updates on the Excess Cost Grant payment. Marriott identified transportation, health care and special education as the district’s principal budget drivers and said he is working with transportation staff and special services leaders to look for savings.

Board members and administrators also discussed an increase in athletics transportation costs tied to a shift from per-trip to per-hour billing for some vendors. Superintendent DiBacco and Mr. Marriott said that change can increase some trips by several hundred to about a thousand dollars; Marriott said purchasing a district van for athletic transport could produce “an enormous savings.” Mr. Phipps reminded the Board the district is operating under an expectation of a 0% local increase.

The Board’s approval covers the Finance Committee’s recommended transfers and the administrative rounding policy; staff will continue to refine savings strategies and report back to the Board at future meetings.

Votes at a glance: The Board approved minutes from February 11, 2026 (finance and regular) and approved the quarter transfers and rounding measure. The meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.