[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6279908,"mediaKeyId","2618069-112b7fc19ff30714d90e3668053d515e","parentId",2618069,"title","Superintendent says Westside Campus remains on track for September; district plans community outreach on budget","audioSeconds",94,"startMs",3056000,"endMs",3150000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2618069-112b7fc19ff30714d90e3668053d515e&start=3056&end=3150","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2618069-112b7fc19ff30714d90e3668053d515e/thumbnail_3056000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6279908/Connecticut/Superintendent-says-Westside-Campus-remains-on-track-for-September-district-plans-community-outreach-on-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279908-a267813607e1d75649553158ccb42524/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448020&Signature=lxoHzITf7TJ~e22UnxHfBvWKju5OzANjxosuLY9jH3aEi1SwZvbSv2IPdcpogHlqyWDEtmnTCbFONLWfv~ud9iJA-vWjJqyKUPzK1vJgaCqHNKrJil1j1BjLI2fbZQQAKuYJfV755C8q9DSS~ukl-UV1LnRSAC9JYrQwugVOsCftbBpA-XP9imAFHFFa0Fw4~c4z2e37~aywp1-iCR3r1bzmS0w2TfSCo2MDgS4aorwfnccgpw~r-D07aWtgFTdP3llRPiSTbffSt4--xKkp4aQ~bGT-AGnpUbeyLUEmnmOOQaUe6t7Gpg7pDVmnNchGBljUw067IUjCgxjA6ptxcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Danbury School District","date","2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","article","Superintendent Dr. Casimiro told the committee the district is proceeding as if the Westside Campus will open in September and that staffing will be phased by limiting the first year to grades 10 and 11 to reduce initial staffing and busing demands. \"Right now, we're still on schedule. I'm operating as if we are opening,\" she said.

Dr. Casimiro described logistical work ahead: moving staff, equipment and programs between buildings and onboarding a larger-than-usual hiring class this spring and summer. She said some positions could be started earlier in the spring if the finance team confirms budget availability so the district does not close the year with large unspent payroll allocations.

On outreach, the superintendent said the district recently presented the budget to a Citywide PTO meeting (the presentation was recorded) and plans at least two community conversations, including an event tailored for multilingual families with translators. She recommended using recorded presentations and posting them to the district website and distributing translated summary letters to help reach more parents.

No formal decisions were made; the committee encouraged continued planning and scheduled school-level meetings and community forums ahead of city presentations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Danbury School District 2/19/25 Finance Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Casimiro said the Westside Campus is still scheduled to open next September with a phased grade rollout (10 and 11) to reduce staffing and busing needs; she also described recent and planned community budget presentations including a videotaped Citywide PTO presentation and multilingual outreach.","taxTitle","Danbury School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",13000,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6279912,"Superintendent warns DOE 'Dear Colleague' letter could affect diversity-focused grants and third-party contracts",236,3184000,3420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2618069-112b7fc19ff30714d90e3668053d515e&start=3184&end=3420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2618069-112b7fc19ff30714d90e3668053d515e/thumbnail_3184000.jpg","/articles/6279912/Connecticut/Superintendent-warns-DOE-Dear-Colleague-letter-could-affect-diversity-focused-grants-and-third-party-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279912-13f1c1d7318ef89e81ef6f47fd9db56a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448020&Signature=o9jlB7K8Q51u8a1oivTzligHTgO3mmEJblS~6O5bTT3k~Nv2dkja2y2g1QrLtzz9Z6hh-pRfpj5iw31aZdbP6kOApmOs8pH-rnpLM1RG9JESDfZr0-V0B~9wTfSebDaE4qMWNIDsWUXO~MRmyhm1kwiQRIgvowwUvbsgU7zOoOg2ttVH5jsYmRp~xHQGPvZhzKKson4l-rtysFTN60757eDe5A2AwY2B3PXPMblYxKIaGmACeR7lPb6oV7bSRJZ85iJGJooEjs3UkTAZVqYxCTUYPGaadUQtvlBgdmkClIKlEWQ7vW~MLraousDQBYkFP~QEcnvy8TP7HLaCr4bFkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Casimiro briefed the committee on a \"Dear Colleague\" letter from the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights that warns districts to review policies, contracts and programs that rely on race- or gender-based criteria. She said the letter gives districts two weeks to review policies and third-party vendors whose practices might be flagged.

Dr. Casimiro said the district has two Increasing Educator Diversity grants and an Ed Rising grant that could attract scrutiny by title or by vendor practices. \"We have two grants that, by just by the name of the title alone, would probably be flagged, and that's the increasing educator diversity grants,\" she said, and added the district has contracted with a teacher residency program but that invoicing and program start dates may be delayed until the situation clarifies. She said the district is compiling questions for state representatives and is cautious about signing additional contracts until legal and funding implications are clear.

The superintendent said some federal entitlement grants include state-level assurances (affirmative action and related certifications) and that Connecticut's overlay might complicate the federal picture. Dr. Casimiro and committee members said staff will review current contracts and grant assurances to assess risk and noted the additional staff hours required to complete that work.

No formal action was taken; the committee asked district leadership to report back as state and federal guidance evolves.","A U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights letter prompted the Danbury superintendent to pause further commitments on some diversity and educator pipeline contracts while staff review contracts and grant assurances to avoid jeopardizing federal funds.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6279918,"2023 audit near final; audit partner notes material weakness tied to cyber incident as bank reconciliations are brought current",274,2366000,2640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2618069-112b7fc19ff30714d90e3668053d515e&start=2366&end=2640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2618069-112b7fc19ff30714d90e3668053d515e/thumbnail_2366000.jpg","/articles/6279918/Connecticut/2023-audit-near-final-audit-partner-notes-material-weakness-tied-to-cyber-incident-as-bank-reconciliations-are-brought-current","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279918-fc56f45aca8dc2b61321dee973d41aa8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448020&Signature=XU7ncQdvillcmMo6EZdd2fIB1nUjSBVrVne~DQ7EH9Il50UadKD6b3JLJIlIRS~fla2QupZ-xX5k5ZGmYcAu-c6Twj6UZYL8x9HotpLX~sACPuUhYtp3LjIHxZH1BOTmpQkmkxxiFqwQmcmszzU9NcxTqqxCAWPbD0Ip1ikdX1bhQKEdFQ83zIR6xYuqT2ETBJZjkTggEYgmq7KHJehUf~z0Hz7TFY0AntoPe38ImFajgTwZaM6Jg6FpH3oHfIhjGqkvq~PLwbmj~U5BpNRxKZNL0NIdTDfc07ZCiZ7Y-Fitw6fsbtpBYStFTT6CE68HVjw8mKvbagi6nxuIa8aFxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scott Bassett, partner at audit firm RSM, presented to the district's ad hoc audit committee and finance staff; Mike Weaver and Finance staff reported that RSM is expected to issue the final 2023 audit report within days. Weaver told committee members the auditor identified a single material weakness for Danbury Public Schools related to a prior cyber incident; no other major findings were reported for 2023.

Weaver said bank reconciliations, which had lapsed in prior years, have been a primary focus. He described a program to bring multiple accounts (general operating, payroll, grants, school lunch, student activity) up to date and said a contractor under an agency agreement is being trained by auditors from CLA to perform monthly reconciliations going forward. \"We have just about two years' worth of bank reconciliations done in a few months,\" Weaver said, while noting the team will remain about a month behind as a practical matter.

The committee discussed the 2024 audit timeline. The 2024 audit had not yet been kicked off because an engagement letter between the city and RSM needed signing; committee members were told staff expects to start the 2024 field work shortly after that step and to complete the audit within approximately six months. Staff said they are coordinating trial balances and subsidiary records with the city's finance office to ensure the auditors can tie ledgers to bank statements and subsidiary detail.

No votes were taken. The committee asked staff to continue to provide status updates as reconciliations finish and the 2024 audit engagement letter is executed.","RSM will issue the final 2023 audit report imminently and flagged a material weakness related to a past cyber incident; district staff and contractors are catching up on bank reconciliations and subsidiary records ahead of a planned 2024 audit kickoff.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6279923,"District unveils revised grants summary to show award periods, carryover and responsible staff",231,1720000,1951000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2618069-112b7fc19ff30714d90e3668053d515e&start=1720&end=1951","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2618069-112b7fc19ff30714d90e3668053d515e/thumbnail_1720000.jpg","/articles/6279923/Connecticut/District-unveils-revised-grants-summary-to-show-award-periods-carryover-and-responsible-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279923-b2a2835c9a69e0e94e70629eff513b17/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448020&Signature=HsBuU3pdRt1FJNWKtGhxT6w8~VDQcLkM~8ZHPOai~d0k87qJFuBp3wXdUissdXMJ7bbZgM4B9BBAl9z8NqUxdWpfe2Ys1-aBRAr1-BfTnaepDJ6ruVm9Ke5wIPb8A-fClL4hKTm0mRUzARV0aKGleLNTNNMSkPcvVs4dnp06sOUb9Z5Rq0fQ5zVUEQLgyyWu1E423X3VKOZg1h-TdXG1ddThL2Q8P9maA-lG2CHnYA~HFuU-rNShQ1K0uAQXwdCsr-QZDJxi49YtJFObLnSqdhzLuJueDjrD~~kx9KKkAs3jaAuzkGxadadeVOF4yrz4Z4s7BxNtgvBmHMoDKlvUQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance staff presented a redesigned grants summary that separates federal and state entitlement funding, lists the award period and expiration date for each grant, identifies the person responsible, and shows carryover and budget subtotals. Angela, a district grants/finance staff member, described the spreadsheet she circulated and said she added subtotals and a grand-total line after meeting with Rich and Mike.

\"Under the entitlement, we separated federal and state, subtitled those,\" Angela said. The committee praised the format as easier to use; members asked staff to add a year-to-date expenditures column so trustees can see how much of each grant has been spent against the budget.

Committee members noted that grants have differing award periods and funding sources (federal, state, private) and said the new format will help show the district's combined resources when discussing total education spending. The committee recommended continuing to refine the report based on member feedback and to include year-to-date actuals on a future revision.","Finance and grants staff created a new grants summary that separates federal and state entitlements, lists award periods and responsible staff, and includes carryover amounts; committee asked to add year-to-date expenditures.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6279928,"Danbury School District reports $8.6 million month, $8.5 million favorable year-to-date variance after reclassification",206,214000,420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2618069-112b7fc19ff30714d90e3668053d515e&start=214&end=420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2618069-112b7fc19ff30714d90e3668053d515e/thumbnail_214000.jpg","/articles/6279928/Connecticut/Danbury-School-District-reports-86-million-month-85-million-favorable-year-to-date-variance-after-reclassification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279928-38ce7b533515a83a0cd1e5c277cc9e32/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448020&Signature=VQz-sVnbaZurcbjnEtWKVUa04~fnd6X6o6CyS1v2vcccQJRq~Xik8h667gcJxtEBoweu1iU-P2P2FdVOD5DhgcLFF4H5edIKMkXO9rUybc1ASYNlF0cZzoosmMffHIsTN~66HtaDFBgXlhLSjCvyojywiGaW3fHI29UkyLE0pZFnG0h-uFKTooUq7BPFJTHIdWIXdeNhAidubbPPDh1NRs0KxGK5nM0197XUKERFpRz9FkgCCXKzNPDEbM3rDmeMc2D9xCdzUeIWvGoQm7-aCSEqlwWGEIOAy2XLz6h8BmcoaKDaDG4yEMwV6uL8CiqjP1miBUkrD~GpSOmTmYApRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mike Weaver, a district finance staff member, told the Danbury School District committee on Feb. 12 that expenditures for the month ending July 31 were $8.6 million and year-to-date expenditures were about $70.9 million with roughly $80.6 million encumbered against a $160 million budget. \"If the year were to end right now, we'd have an $8,500,000 favorable variance,\" Weaver said, attributing most of the variance to salary and benefit reclassifications into grant accounts and to timing in supply and utility spending.

The reclassification work moved positions and their benefits from the general fund into an Alliance grant account, producing a favorable variance in salary and benefits lines. Weaver said the reclassification was time-consuming and partly retroactive: \"These adjustments now are making corrections the way they should be,\" he said, and cautioned that the timing of the adjustments distorts the current-period presentation.

Committee members and Superintendent Dr. Casimiro pressed for continued cleanup of line-item detail and for additional months of reconciled numbers before treating the favorable variance as recurring. Dr. Casimiro said she and staff are monitoring open positions and suggested using some of the freed salary dollars to start positions that would support schools earlier in the year rather than closing the fiscal year with unspent payroll funds. \"I'd hate to sit on $8,000,000 in salaries when we can put it to use,\" she said.

Watch items identified in discussion included workers' compensation (a current negative variance discussed as likely to grow), special-education tuition (which the finance team said may be underbudgeted for the year), and bank reconciliation and subsidiary record catch-up work (addressed elsewhere in the meeting). Finance staff called out a favorable variance in electric costs and a $485,000 favorable variance in instructional supplies but advised that timing, not permanent savings, largely explains those lines.

The committee discussed procurement timing and purchase-order practices that delay year-end close. Members urged clearer internal deadlines for submitting requisitions (May was suggested) to avoid last-minute POs that encumber funds but do not reflect true liabilities. The committee asked staff to continue reconciling variances and to add clearer notes to the monthly statement so members can track the makeup of large variances.

No formal board votes were taken on spending actions during the meeting. The finance staff said they expect to need another month or two to complete cleanup of several lines and to provide clearer year-to-date narratives for budget presentation to the city.","District finance staff reported a $8.6 million month expenditure and a year-to-date favorable variance of about $8.5 million driven largely by salary/benefit reclassifications and timing differences in utilities and supplies; auditors flagged a material weakness tied to a prior cyber incident.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent says Westside Campus remains on track for September; district plans community outreach on budget

Superintendent warns DOE 'Dear Colleague' letter could affect diversity-focused grants and third-party contracts

2023 audit near final; audit partner notes material weakness tied to cyber incident as bank reconciliations are brought current

District unveils revised grants summary to show award periods, carryover and responsible staff

Danbury School District reports $8.6 million month, $8.5 million favorable year-to-date variance after reclassification