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East Windsor board braces for cuts after FY27 referendum failure; auditor, OPM to clarify supplemental aid interpretation
Summary
After an FY27 budget referendum failed, board staff said an auditor has requested guidance on supplemental state aid and is consulting OPM and the state education attorney; the board scheduled follow-up meetings and discussed potential budget reductions pending the board of finance meeting Monday.
Board of Education officials in East Windsor told members on Tuesday that the FY27 budget referendum failed and that town and school leaders must await a board of finance meeting scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. at Town Hall to clarify the district's path forward.
Finance staff said they had received an inquiry from the town auditor about the application of supplemental state aid provided to boards of education; the auditor will continue researching whether the town or the board should carry certain amounts and has asked OPM and the state Department of Education staff attorney for help. The staff said the auditor agreed in an initial conversation with the board’s interpretation of state guidance but remained uncertain about statutory application and would follow up.
Board members discussed a range of possible reduction scenarios if state aid or municipal allocations change. One finance staffer said that, under one interpretation, reaching a 2% charter default could require an additional $414,000 in reductions beyond current scenarios; staff emphasized multiple contingencies and the need to monitor special education costs and open-enrollment figures that will be finalized later in the week.
Members urged community turnout at the upcoming town board of finance meeting and discussed simple messaging for residents, saying the volume of attendees in the room can influence the board's deliberations. The board deferred final decisions until after the auditor's guidance and the board of finance meeting.
