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Whittier Tech committee approves $1.19M transfer to stabilization, transportation and bus purchases
Summary
The School Committee approved a $1,188,512 FY26 operating budget increase funded by $950,000 from excess & deficiency and $238,512 from the regional transportation account; remaining capital outlay funds were authorized for end-of-year purchase of replacement buses.
The Whittier Regional Vocational Technical School Committee on May 20 approved a requested $1,188,512 increase to the FY26 operating budget, moving $950,000 from the district's excess and deficiency (E&D) account into a stabilization account and transferring $238,512 from the regional transportation revolving account to the general fund transportation appropriation for vehicle replacement.
Business manager Cara Cosmos told the committee the transfers would not change member municipalities' assessments and are intended to preserve funds for capital projects and to buy replacement vans and buses. "I'm requesting that the school committee vote to increase the FY26 budget by $1,188,512," she said.
The request was explained as two parts: the $950,000 E&D transfer into stabilization to set aside funds for capital needs tied to an aging facility, and the $238,512 carryover of FY25 transportation revenues that must be used this year for replacement vehicles. Cosmos said the stabilization account is held in a money market and that the district expects investment earnings to contribute roughly $400,000 to reserves at year end.
Committee members pressed for clarification on limits and accounting. Mr. Rossi noted that stabilization funds require Department of Revenue permission for certain uses; Cosmos said the stabilization balance can support capital or general fund projects with appropriate approvals. Mr. Early and others asked about onboarding of a new business manager; Cosmos said she is working with the new staff member and will remain available through the transition.
By roll call, the motion to increase the FY26 operating budget and transfer the specified amounts passed unanimously.
Separately, trustees approved a request to permit the use of any remaining FY26 capital outlay funds for the end-of-year purchase of replacement school buses. Cosmos outlined the capital outlay picture: a $695,000 FY26 appropriation with work completed on selected projects, pending quotes for exterior brick repair (estimated about $97,000) and an estimated year-end balance "a little over $100,000." She asked the committee to allow the balance to be applied toward buses and noted purchases are typically procured from the state bid list.
Chair Fitzgerald put both motions to a roll-call vote; each passed.
