Since the Board of Education (BOE) first disclosed its budget deficit at the end of 2024, the original amount shrunk considerably. At the February 24, 2025, meeting, Interim Superintendent Dr. Laura Norbut said the current projected deficit is $372,013, not including the Food Services deficit, which could add another $100,000. Still, the schools do not expect to be able to eliminate the deficit by the end of the school year. This proved to be a point of contention at the March 3, 2025, Board of Finance (BOF) meeting.
First, BOF Chair Steve Geryk said the annual audit revealed that the BOE had more money left in its budget last year than previously thought. The district put $77,000 into its non-lapsing account at the end of the '23-'24 school year. In reality, it had $152,000 to put into the account, so the remaining balance can be transferred to help offset the deficit. The BOE is expected to vote on the transfer at its March 10, 2025, meeting.
As the discussion turned toward the deficit, it became clear that the BOF does not support giving the BOE a supplemental budget appropriation. Anthony Armelin kicked things off by saying, “I feel the pain of the system.” However, he is concerned with setting a precedent.
BOE Chair Sara Kelley said, “Our goal wouldn’t be to come back year after year.” Instead, the district hopes to build up the non-lapsing fund to help deal with emergencies and extra expenses. Interim Superintendent Dr. Laura Norbut said the schools are trying to be self-sustaining, alluding to teachers who must clean their classrooms due to a lack of janitorial staff.
Dave Walsh pointed out that larger school districts must regularly request supplemental appropriations. Tony Pellegrino said that such an action is “unprecedented here.”
The discussion often floated back and forth between the deficit and the budget proposal for next year. Walsh said he fears “the kids are going to be like our roads are.”
Armelin said, “I was not asking for the district to do with less. I’m asking for the district to get the budget in the proper ways.”
Dr. Norbut pointed out that the schools cannot legally deny needed special education services and that doing so would open them up to lawsuits. There is a legal mechanism for the schools to seek additional funds when necessary, which is a supplemental budget appropriation request.
Connecticut General Statute 10-222 says:
"If any occasion arises whereby additional funds are needed by such board, the chairman of such board shall notify the board of finance, board of selectmen or appropriating authority, as the case may be, and shall submit a request for additional funds in the same manner as is provided for departments, boards or agencies of the municipality and no additional funds shall be expended unless such supplemental appropriation shall be granted and no supplemental expenditures shall be made in excess of those granted through the appropriating authority."
Kelley said the district is looking ahead to next year and trying to bring down costs by implementing the ESS program, which would bring special education students in-house and eventually allow the district to bring in revenue from other school districts.
Pellegrino asked what the current special education deficit is, and the BOE said it is $374,000 over. This is slightly more thant the total current expected deficit. Pellegrino said the district needs to anticipate those costs, but also, “I’m not saying I want you to have excess funds.” Pellegrino added that he has heard people say they move to Stafford precisely because of its reputation for providing good special education.
The BOF suggested that schools could budget more for special education to address unanticipated costs. The district, however, was skeptical, given that they have trouble getting a budget passed that addresses their current needs. Kelley said creating a fund for “maybes” would have to come from another part of the budget. The BOE has repeatedly noted that staff is the only thing left to cut.
Geryk asked if someone would make a motion to indicate the board did not intend to support a supplemental appropriation. However, the rest of the board was not ready to take that step. It’s also worth noting that BOE has not yet officially asked for a supplemental appropriation and does not know the amount of the final deficit.
Regarding concerns about the General Fund, Geryk said that the unassigned balance is lower than it should be and will be even lower if the town has to appropriate additional funds to cover the school deficit. The General Fund is a backstop for the schools and the town, he said. BOF alternate Shelley H. West expressed concern that the schools will have trouble getting next year’s budget approved by voters while operating at a deficit. It's worth noting that the budget referendum is scheduled for April, and the schools still may not know the final expenses until closer to the end of the school year.
If the BOF did not agree to a supplemental budget appropriation, the district could have to borrow the money to cover any costs above the initially appropriated amount. This would require the district to pay interest, ultimately costing more and potentially impacting other budget elements.