Region 20 Board of Ed Hearing

Correction: This article includes a correction of a misquote in the earlier 26th print edition version, in which a comment made by Ashley Westfall was mistakenly attributed to Ashley Daddona.

On April 21, the Region 20 Board of Education held its annual Budget Hearing, required by CGS §10-51, to present the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget of $43,127,907, a 4.79% increase over FY25. Chair Tiffany Parkhouse opened the meeting, followed by presentations from Dr. Jeffrey Villar, Superintendent designate; Kristen Della Volpe, Acting Superintendent; and Julia Cardillo, Chief Financial Officer.

Della Volpe reviewed enrollment projections, noting minor changes. Cardillo detailed expected revenues: tuition ($1,214,662), state grants ($1,220,000), and other funds ($85,000), requiring town assessments totaling $40,608,245. She explained that grants will now offset related expenses rather than being listed as revenue. Regarding Agriscience (ASTE) tuition estimates, Cardillo said it was “unclear why the [FY25] budget [value] was higher,” and conservative estimates were used in FY26 when exact figures were not yet available.

Cardillo reviewed expenditure variances, explaining that some FY25 categories had been reclassified. She highlighted areas previously underfunded, including substitutes, homebound instruction, longevity payments, transportation, special education transportation, fuel, and middle school athletics. She noted that the general insurance line had been “grossly underbudgeted” in FY25. Cost reductions during the year included staff reductions, after-school coverage, professional development, and clinical services.

Villar, officially starting May 1, said, “I couldn’t speak to what happened over the past year,” but said his review found “a great deal of optimism with revenue.” Cardillo noted that prior revenue projections lacked documentation making it difficult to determine how the figures were determined. 

Villar also noted that although discussions have focused on “reducing expenditures and finding the revenue problems,” he wanted to ensure that residents knew what the budget was supporting; he presented an extensive list of student services.  He also noted that he had engaged in collaborative conversations with the first selectmen of the towns and vowed to ensure transparency in the budget process.

Twelve residents commented. Two parents supported teachers and expressed concerns that programs remain underfunded. Bob Valentine (Goshen Board of Finance) asked about the contingency line; administrators responded by assuring residents that it is not a “pit of money” and would only be used if necessary. Jeff Zullo (Litchfield Board of Selectmen) asked about the proposed $3.5 million financing plan, and was assured any monies that were not needed for deficit mitigation or borrowing costs would be used to directly reduce long-term debt.

Courtney Zeiner, speaking for a group from Goshen, asked, “who is responsible for signing off on the spending?” and questioned how the Board could “justify misappropriating the funds without the due diligence of an appropriation request as required by the state statute,” referencing CGS §10-222. Cardillo explained new fiscal controls now require expenditure justification. Villar pledged that he and the CFO would enforce oversight and seek Board approval when needed. Parkhouse clarified that the statute applies to municipal, not regional boards.

Zeiner pressed the Board to justify placing the deficit “in the laps of the taxpayers” and asked for a commitment to transparency if a forensic audit occurs. Zeiner requested that the Board publicize “the individuals responsible for the misappropriation of fund.”  Villar stressed the importance of rebuilding trust: “The community needs to trust the school board’s budget.”

Regarding contracts, Villar assured residents that the district would involve counsel to ensure proper negotiation and protect the district’s interests.

Zullo urged Board members to accept responsibility for the budget problems. Parkhouse said she was not Board Chair during budget development but acknowledged, “I would have liked to have asked more questions. I wish I would have. I will own that. I am sorry personally that I didn’t ask more questions.” She added, “you don’t know what you don’t know until you know it.” Former Region 20 BOE vice chair John Morosani (Litchfield), who had previously characterized the FY25 budget as “fiction from the beginning,” admitted mistakes, stating, “I made mistakes . . . and I will fully acknowledge that.” Ashley Westfall noted that seven of the current twelve board members joined after the FY25 budget to help lead the process forward and asked residents “to stop looking behind us” and “start looking forward.”

Cardillo addressed questions about tuition collection for ASTE, Pre-K, and out-of-district students, stating there is a near 100% collection rate and outstanding payments will be secured before year-end.

Regarding funding for rowing at the High School, Della Volpe explained it was intended to encourage student participation and allow for athletic awards. Cardillo clarified that the $80,000 figure in the FY25 budget included expenditures now moved to other lines, and in FY25, the remaining $70,000 was cut and reallocated to other operating expenses.  In response, Lisa Weik (Morris) and Courtney Warshaw (Morris) emphasized that budget transfers must comply with state statutes and be announced publicly.

Graduation at Lakeview High School will continue to be funded, with expenses now listed separately in the FY26 budget instead of under instructional supplies.

Public concerns included the district’s ability to support all current buildings and staffing. Billie Jean Sideris (Morris) said, “We cannot continue to support all of the buildings that we have and continue to support all of the staff. It’s just too big.” Theresa Walla Kelley (Goshen) also raised concerns about substitute costs.

Parkhouse announced that informational meetings would be held in each town prior to the District Meeting on May 5 and the referendum on May 6.