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Preston BOE finance committee flags transportation and tuition pressures while finalizing FY26 budget
Summary
At a Jan. 30 finance-committee workshop, Preston Public Schools staff told board members that regional tuition increases, a likely need for an extra bus driver and benefit-rate assumptions could squeeze the FY26 budget; staff also trimmed an operating software request and will seek lower electric rates.
Megan Gallant, chair of the Preston Public Schools Board of Education Finance Committee, convened a workshop at 6:03 p.m. on Jan. 30, 2025, where staff outlined preliminary drivers of the proposed FY26 budget and identified areas that may require additional funding.
"We are firming up budget numbers as more info comes in," Dr. Seitsinger said as the committee opened its review, summarizing the district’s approach to updating assumptions and projections. The committee heard that several neighboring districts have notified Preston of tuition increases that will affect its spending on outplaced students: North Stonington and Griswold each notified a 3.5% increase, and NFA indicated a 3.7% increase.
Staff presented a preliminary salary estimate (dated Jan. 16, 2025) of $7,191,870 but said that figure could rise after correcting a staffing-percentage entry for the pupil-director position (listed as 0.6% and expected to be 0.8%). Benefits were modeled with health-insurance costs fixed at an 11.9% rate; Verricchio noted that district participation in the plan is roughly 50 percent and that benefit expenses could grow if the district fills an additional transportation position.
Transportation and fleet maintenance emerged as a particular concern. Staff said the oldest buses in the fleet are about eight years old and that additional repair funds may be needed. Committee materials and discussion noted the district currently has 14 drivers and estimates needing 15 to run routes so students arrive and return at reasonable times; the committee discussed whether a new driver hire should be funded from the current fiscal year or included in FY26.
Chris Pickett, principal at Preston Plains, told the committee that staffing levels at his school will be maintained and that supply costs are tracking as expected. Staff also reported six students accepted to the regional technical school and five students on a waiting list; officials said they expect further updates about those placements in March.
On operating costs, the finance office withdrew a $6,000 request for software during the meeting, and Finance Manager Cynthia Verricchio said she would search for cheaper electric rates to help contain expenditures.
The committee approved two routine motions unanimously: a motion to approve the Jan. 16, 2025 minutes and a motion to adjourn at 6:56 p.m. No formal budget votes or final decisions on FY26 appropriations were taken at the workshop; staff will return with updated figures as additional information becomes available.
The workshop record shows the committee used the meeting to refine assumptions and identify potential cost pressures—tuition, transportation and benefits—that will shape the FY26 budget process going forward.
