By Sarah Opdahl
On Thursday, February 1, New Fairfield’s Board of Education (BOE) approved the 2024-2025 Board of Education operating budget in the amount of $48,695,091, an increase of 4.95%, the capital budget in the amount of $794,577, and the 2024-2025 debt service budget in the amount of $7,953,108.
Administrators worked quickly in the two days following the third budget workshop to identify cuts that would satisfy the BOE’s request to bring the originally 5.25% budget under 5%. To do so, small amounts were cut across the board—and a handful of larger items noted below—for a total cut of $138,168. This was essentially cutting what wouldn’t hurt the district too badly, such as eliminating supplies across the board and a pricey elementary social studies workbook, at $13,314, that teachers were hardly using. Other money that was realized included savings in the bus contract resulting in a cut of $22,000 as well as a $10,000 curriculum consulting fee and a cut of $10,000 that it is believed can be found through negotiating service contracts. A dues and fees reduction of $10,000 cut a portion of the Central Office’s funds. They described the exercise as difficult but achievable with the goal to keep “reductions away from the center of the classroom as much as possible,” Superintendent Dr. Ken Craw said.
Board members requested a more itemized list of needs to account for a request for $50,000 in stipends to assist with athletic games.
In next steps, beyond going to the Board of Finance to present in early March, Craw mentioned that there are key upcoming pension meetings that may result in another potential cut to the budget. Additionally, there is a discussion continuing regarding Sherman tuition revenue, given that it is higher than normal due to the brand new high school. In the past, that revenue flowed straight to the Town’s budget. Now that the numbers are truly mounting at twenty-seven students and $533,275, the BOE is taking an interest in redirecting the flow, which could decrease the education budget. The proposed direction would mimic the district’s Early Learning Center financial stream.