Bloomfield council approves $670,877 transfer to cover BOE grant shortfall, special‑education costs
June 30, 2026 | Bloomfield, Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut
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The Bloomfield Town Council unanimously approved a $670,877 fourth‑quarter transfer to the Bloomfield Board of Education on June 30 to cover revenue that did not materialize from a state GEMS magnet grant and higher‑than‑budgeted special‑education costs.
Superintendent Dr. Tracy Youngberg told council the district received a final GEMS grant award on May 1 that was significantly lower than projected under a new state formula and that attempts to resolve the discrepancy with the state department of education were unsuccessful. “They basically determined that they didn't make any calculation error … their calculation was accurate,” she said, and added there is no appeals process to restore the expected funds.
Youngberg also reported the district received 77 new students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) during the year (31 IEP students moved out), producing a net increase of roughly 46 students with special‑education needs. She said seven of those students required intensive supports — six needing one‑to‑one paraprofessionals and two requiring out‑of‑district placements — contributing roughly $400,000 in unanticipated costs.
Council members asked whether the transfer would set a higher baseline for future budgets. Finance staff and the superintendent said the FY2027 budget has already been set above the amount under consideration and that the one‑time FY2026 transfer would not increase the BOE’s FY2027 minimum budget requirement (MBR).
The superintendent said the BOE believes it has approximately $100,000 in unspent budgeted funds that can be returned to the town, lowering the net transfer the district will request once accounting is finalized.
Councilors expressed frustration with the state‑level grant calculation and urged the district and town to pursue clearer early notification next year. The council approved the transfer unanimously and asked the district to provide any available documentation of returned funds once closeout accounting is complete.
Superintendent Dr. Tracy Youngberg told council the district received a final GEMS grant award on May 1 that was significantly lower than projected under a new state formula and that attempts to resolve the discrepancy with the state department of education were unsuccessful. “They basically determined that they didn't make any calculation error … their calculation was accurate,” she said, and added there is no appeals process to restore the expected funds.
Youngberg also reported the district received 77 new students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) during the year (31 IEP students moved out), producing a net increase of roughly 46 students with special‑education needs. She said seven of those students required intensive supports — six needing one‑to‑one paraprofessionals and two requiring out‑of‑district placements — contributing roughly $400,000 in unanticipated costs.
Council members asked whether the transfer would set a higher baseline for future budgets. Finance staff and the superintendent said the FY2027 budget has already been set above the amount under consideration and that the one‑time FY2026 transfer would not increase the BOE’s FY2027 minimum budget requirement (MBR).
The superintendent said the BOE believes it has approximately $100,000 in unspent budgeted funds that can be returned to the town, lowering the net transfer the district will request once accounting is finalized.
Councilors expressed frustration with the state‑level grant calculation and urged the district and town to pursue clearer early notification next year. The council approved the transfer unanimously and asked the district to provide any available documentation of returned funds once closeout accounting is complete.
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