Greenwich budget committee hears BOE operating pressures from special education, transportation and lunch fund deficits

The Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) Budget Committee on Feb. 5 examined the Board of Education’s proposed FY 2026–27 operating budget, where personnel and transportation costs were identified as the principal upward pressures.

Dr. Toni Jones, superintendent, and BOE finance staff told the committee that the 100-series (personnel) budget reflects a $3.6 million increase tied to union contract salary schedule adjustments and net FTE shifts. BOE staff said FY 2024–25 produced roughly $2 million in salary savings from vacancies, but recent hires and repurposed leadership duties have changed that pattern.

BOE officials reported a $2.5 million rise in 200-series spending driven largely by the district’s DATTCO transportation contract and parking constraints that limited vendor options. Facilities staff described a split bus fleet parking arrangement that pays drivers from the time a bus boards; BOE estimated that reverting to earlier school start times would require 18 additional buses (about $2.6 million) and that changing K–5 start times to no later than 8:45 a.m. would cost roughly $1.6 million.

Special-education costs were a central focus. BOE staff said 54 out-of-district placements carry annual per-student costs ranging from $80,000 to $335,000. The district budgets an Excess Cost Sharing Grant ($1.8 million budgeted) but reported a collections gap—$1.86 million collected last year against $2.64 million eligible—leaving an approximate $780,000 shortfall. BOE officials said the district’s strategy is to expand in-district programming and improve documentation to maximize eligible reimbursement.

On substitutes, BOE staff categorized coverage into long-term, building and daily substitutes, noted a $135 daily base rate that can increase to $140–$145 after consecutive days, and flagged recent state legislation that adds FMLA and paid sick time for substitutes.

Finance staff outlined revenue opportunities and constraints: preschool tuition and adult-education programs are largely self-funded; facility rentals generated $280,000 in revenue that is budget neutral after associated expenses; athletic admission and parking fees were discussed as potential additional revenue streams, though USDA nutrition regulations and other constraints limit options in some areas.

The school lunch fund drew particular attention. BOE reported that the fund’s balance rose to $2.1 million under universal free meals during COVID but has since produced multi-year deficits (post-COVID losses of $543,000 in FY23–24 and $344,000 in FY24–25). FY25–26 was budgeted for a $873,000 loss (projected actual $400,000–$500,000), and BOE presented an FY26–27 projection of a $961,000 loss that would create a negative $600,000 balance requiring general-fund contributions in arrears. Current meal prices are $4.45–$4.55 for lunch and $2.95 for breakfast, which BOE said are above peer communities but below per-meal costs.

Committee members recorded these pressures and BOE staff identified mitigation actions—expanding in-district special-education capacity, reviewing start-time scenarios, and pursuing documentation and reimbursement improvements—but no formal changes to the budget were made at the hearing. The committee recessed for lunch and reconvened at 12:33 p.m. to continue capital discussions.