The Derby School Board meeting on June 23, 2025, focused on year-end financial transfers and the management of special education funding. Pam Kelly, the district's finance director, presented a recommendation to transfer the remaining budget authority of $503,539.46 from the supplemental general fund into the special education fund. This transfer is crucial as the district will not receive special education funding until October, and it will help cover expenses in the interim.

With this transfer, the special education fund will start the year with a balance of $1,330,596.46, which reflects a significant reduction of $813,711 compared to the previous year. Kelly noted that the average spending in this fund from July to October is approximately $2.6 million, indicating that the general fund may need to assist with expenses until the special education funding arrives.

The reduction in year-end transfers was attributed to two main factors. First, the board approved a subsidy of $230,000 for food services, which required a transfer of $164,344.45 to ensure the food service fund does not carry a negative balance. Second, the implementation of new software necessitated an early payroll payment on June 30, which impacted the current fiscal year's budget.

During the meeting, board members raised questions about the summer food service program and reimbursement timelines. It was clarified that food service reimbursements are typically one month behind, meaning that meals delivered in June would be reimbursed in mid-July.

The board is expected to approve the proposed financial transfers, which are essential for maintaining the district's operations and supporting special education services in the upcoming months.