Danbury officials cite multi-year surpluses and new controls as they recommend mayor'9s $172 million school budget

Danbury'9s ad hoc committee on the school budget examined audit-driven budget variances and staffing shortfalls on Wednesday, with the superintendent and finance director detailing new controls and the mayor defending a $172 million proposal.

"For 2022-23, I think it's well documented that we've had a $7,900,000 surplus. That is an audited final number at 5.6% of our budget," Superintendent Dr. Casimiro told the committee, noting that unaudited figures for later years have fluctuated as reconciliations continue. She said an $11 million estimate had moved to about $9.4 million as of that morning and that a projected FY24-25 operational surplus looked to be about $2.4 million.

The figures prompted sharp questions from council members about taxpayer confidence. Councilman Fox said returning unspent money to the city "doesn't bode well for our reputation," adding that taxpayers expect appropriated funds to be spent on schools. "The fact that we can reclaim that and use it another time... is money that I personally put out of my pocket that wasn't spent," Fox said.

The superintendent and Finance Director Mike Weaver described steps intended to prevent future volatility in year-end results. Weaver and Dr. Casimiro said the district is instituting monthly bank reconciliations, quarterly reviews of purchase orders, monthly closing calendars and clearer procedures for encumbrances. Dr. Casimiro said the district has overhauled finance staffing, naming new roles in the department and increasing daily oversight: "Mike and I are on the daily... checking in on how the numbers are moving."

Staffing gaps were another central issue. Dr. Casimiro told the committee the district currently needs roughly 40 to 50 paraprofessionals across the system and has larger concentrated openings at Danbury High School (DHS West). She said the district is negotiating higher rates for paraprofessionals, running recruitment fairs, working with staffing agencies and building teacher pipeline programs with universities and residency programs.

The meeting also covered one-time federal funds that the district expects to carry into the next fiscal year. Dr. Casimiro said the district received about $7.5 million in ARPA funds as part of a larger $12 million allocation; after planned reimbursements and planned moves related to the new academy, she estimated roughly $4 million could remain as one-time funds heading into FY2526. She emphasized that ARPA and other one-time money cannot be counted on for recurring costs.

Mayor Roberto Alves, who attended, defended the mayor'9s proposed $172 million budget as a responsible plan and said his office is working with the board of education and the district to improve transparency and oversight. "We want transparency," he said, noting the unaudited surplus estimates continue to change.

Public comment included an attendee who asked whether the $4 million in leftover ARPA funds was separate from the $2.4 million operational surplus; Dr. Casimiro clarified the two are distinct lines in the district'9s accounts. Special education staff reported about 1,800 identified students in-district and roughly 60 out-of-district placements, and described PPT representation requirements and efforts to recreate programming inside Danbury where possible.

After the discussion, Councilman Salvatore moved to recommend that the full city council adopt the mayor'9s education budget as presented; the committee approved the motion on a voice vote. The committee then adjourned.

What happens next: the committee'9s recommendation goes to the full Danbury City Council for consideration; audit work on FY24 remains ongoing and officials said they will continue to report monthly to the council as reconciliations complete.