September 29, 2026 - Finance Meeting

The Stratford Board of Education Finance Committee met on September 29, 2026. The committee approved a recommendation to place approximately $340,000 in unexpended FY2026 operating funds into the district’s non-lapsing account, pending further Board authorization. Members discussed using funds for school safety and security, including an estimated $150,000 safety and security audit and possible future updates; the motion passed without amendment. The committee also approved recommending authorization for the chief operating officer and director of finance to make necessary FY2026 year-end transfers among salary, professional services, transportation, and tuition accounts to address year-end balances and deficits. No vendor award or new contract approval was identified.

Financial updates noted that the district was on budget at the time of the meeting, with 83 students in out-of-district placements and some tuition costs not yet encumbered. Staff flagged uncertainty about gasoline costs after the current price lock expires in December and an estimated $300,000 increase in retiree insurance costs. The committee also received updates on education grants, including receipt of LEAP and Title I funds, and on food service operations, where Sodexo had forfeited its fees following prior challenges and a new food service director was starting. The committee accepted the August 24 minutes and adjourned.