Preliminary FY23 expense budget totals $27.9 million; committee schedules workshops

Superintendent Dr. Defalco and budget staff presented a preliminary FY23 expense budget that totals $27,900,879 in district operating expenses and outlined next steps for revenue and public review.

Staff explained that the presentation shows expense lines broken out by funding source (general fund, SR2, SR3, fees and Title I) and emphasized this was an expense budget presented before revenue ('cherry sheet') numbers were available. The FY22 total district expenses were presented as $26,220,749 for comparison. Officials said they had already identified roughly $150,000 in potential savings through a line‑by‑line review and flagged assumptions that affect the FY23 draft, including pre‑purchasing a math curriculum (~$150,000) and an anticipated CDC nursing grant (~$100,000).

The presentation highlighted competitive grants supporting career pathways (more than $700,000 cited for specific pathways) and total grant funding of roughly $2.81 million available for programs, staff and supplies. Staff also noted that Chapter 70 provides the core foundation funding and that the district remains a hold‑harmless district for Chapter 70 calculations. The committee discussed key cost drivers including special‑education circuit breaker allocations, expected increases in health and dental costs, and anticipated higher transportation costs tied to a new contract amid a bus‑driver shortage.

Staff listed several proposed staffing changes in the draft budget, including a full‑time athletic director and additional permanent building substitutes (adding two per building in the draft). They also said the draft includes seats for college courses under the proposed Grade Eight Academy and budgeted approximately $14,000 for enrollment seats.

Votes and motions during the meeting included approval of the consent agenda, acceptance of a board member resignation and approvals for two facility use requests (Knights of Columbus and Green Roy Academy of Irish Dance) by voice vote; committee members did not record a roll‑call tally in the packet. The committee set budget workshops for Jan. 20 and 24 (virtual), tentatively a live workshop on Feb. 3, and a public hearing and adoption scheduled for March 10.

Next steps: staff will present more detailed cost centers and position spreadsheets at workshops, the district will await cherry‑sheet revenue numbers after the governor’s budget release, and the committee will use workshops and a joint meeting with town leaders to refine priorities ahead of the March public hearing.