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Bristol School District reports $7.99 million shortfall; special education cited as largest driver
Summary
The Finance & Operations Committee was told the district has a $7,990,624 general-fund deficit through Feb. 28, 2026, with roughly $3,904,620 attributed to special education placements; staff said excess-cost reimbursements and other revenues are expected but may not fully offset the shortfall.
The Bristol School District Finance & Operations Committee heard that the district is running a general‑fund deficit of $7,990,624 through Feb. 28, 2026, driven primarily by special education costs, which account for about $3,904,620 of the shortfall. Staff reported receiving a first round of excess‑cost reimbursement totaling $5,649,534 and said a second round is typically received in May.
Committee members were told unencumbered general‑education funds total $3,256,156 but staff expect to use most of those funds before the fiscal year ends, given current spending patterns and outstanding encumbrances. The committee also received an update on cafeteria finances: February showed a $295,357 deficit before reimbursements, with February claims of $386,336 anticipated to produce a $90,979 month‑end surplus once processed.
Dr. Martino, presenting the pupil personnel services report, said special education enrollment is increasing. "As of March 1st, 2026, 1,796 of the 7,859 enrolled students are identified as requiring special education programming," he said, representing 22.9% of enrollment. He added the district had 127 students placed in private out‑of‑district special education schools and 86 placed in public out‑of‑district schools. Dr. Martino said that during February, 54% of newly registered students (13 of 24) were identified as needing special education services.
Dr. Martino warned that state‑placed tuition (placements arranged by DCF) has been running about three times the budgeted amount for the year and is materially affecting the placement tuition line. Committee members asked whether pending legislation could affect these payments; a commissioner referenced House Bill 5302 (education tuition payments for local school districts), and staff said the impact will depend on which measures pass and that some DCF placements may be governed by different rules.
Committee discussion focused on monitoring claims and reimbursements, continuing to track special‑education placement costs, and updating forecasts for the remainder of the fiscal year. No formal action altering budget appropriations was taken at the meeting; staff said they will report updated figures in a future committee packet.
