Stamford Central Sets May 13 Budget Hearing

By Liz Page

STAMFORD - After four budget advisory workshops, including two members of the public, members of the Stamford Central School Board of Education adopted the 2025-2026 budget on April 10. The public will have an opportunity to learn about the budget during a May 13 budget hearing, set for 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria. It is a time to ask questions or voice concerns about the proposed budget.

Superintendent Dr. Glen Huot invites the public to come to the hearing and ask those questions.

Voters will decide the budget, school board members and other propositions on May 20. Voting will take place from noon to 8 p.m. in Room 113 of the school.

The proposed budget totals $11,548,875 and is up by $548,901, an increase of 4.99 percent over the current budget. It is projecting a 2.22 percent increase in the tax levy which remains within the allowable state tax cap.

The state budget was approved by the Governor on Monday, well after the deadline for school budgets to be adopted. Uncertainty remained this week, however, according to Huot, because the Senate and Assembly have not approved a budget. So, it could still change and he said the Legislature is actually in favor of increasing the Governor's 2 percent to 3 percent.

The costs of almost everything is increasing and inflation is having a major impact, according to the budget newsletter sent out by Huot. Much of the increase is due a new bond payment for the $7.3 million project approved by voters last December. The project was to repair the failing roof, kitchen and cafeteria upgrades, auditorium improvements, school safety and security enhancements. The new bond payment is $333,277.

All districts received a two percent state aid if the Governor's proposal stands. However, Huot points out that this will not cover the cost of increasing expenses. He points to healthcare contributions from the employer up 10.5 percent, retirements for non-teaching up 16.2 percent and teacher retirement up10.5 percent. "The expenses are outpacing revenue," said Huot. "Which is what makes creating a budget so challenging. Everybody is feeling the same thing."

In addition to the budget, voters will be asked to vote on two school board seats, with the terms of Catherine Snyder and Chris Albano expiring. Both have petitioned to appear on the ballot for another term and there is no opposition on the ballot.

Voters will be asked to approve the purchase of a 65-passenger diesel bus, the cost not to exceed $166,44.97 and will be paid for by the established bus reserve fund.

Proposition three is to purchase a tractor, the cost not to exceed $50,000, to be paid for from an established capital reserve for Tech/Equip 5/2016 fund and/or an unappropriated fund balance. It will allow for faster snow removal at the two locations, the school building and the school bus garage.

A 2025 Transportation Capital Reserve Fund is also being put to voters. It will be used to defray the cost, in whole or in part as determined by the board of education, of school buses of various sizes, including but not limited to infrastructure to support electric school buses and transportation infrastructure, including but not limited to infrastructure to support electric school buses, including construction and reconstruction of school district buildings and facilities, original equipment, machinery, apparatus, appurtenances, furnishings and other incidental improvements and expenses in connection with, the ultimate amount of the funds shall be $5 million. The probable term shall be 10 years. The source from which funds will be obtained can include any or all of the following: state aide related reimbursement of capital projects and vehicles, interest income related to investment of money in the fund, unappropriated fund balances from the general fund, and any other legally permissible source, all as determined by the board of education and any other additional money hereafter authorized by voters of the district.