Ridgefield Schools Receive $165K State Grant For Summer Repairs

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Ridgefield Public Schools will receive more than $165,000 in new state funding for building repairs and infrastructure improvements this summer, district officials told the Board of Education’s Budget, Finance and Operations Committee on June 4.

The funding comes through Connecticut’s new District Repair and Improvement Project, or DRIP, program, which provides grants for minor capital repairs and improvements at public schools.

Director of Finance Jill Browne said Ridgefield was awarded $165,204.86 for fiscal year 2026. The state allocated $30 million statewide for both fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and distributed funds using a formula that considers student need, district wealth and an equal allocation among school systems.

Unlike many state grant programs, Browne said the funding does not require districts to front project costs and seek reimbursement later.

“The funds are coming to us before our fiscal year end in June,” Browne said. “There’s no reimbursement.”

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Facilities Director Joe Moritz outlined a series of projects planned for completion this summer using the grant funds. The work includes HVAC improvements at Ridgefield High School, stage flooring projects at East Ridge and Branchville schools, boiler maintenance and security bollards at Scotts Ridge Middle School, rooftop air-conditioning replacement and safety improvements at Barlow Mountain Elementary School, camera replacements districtwide, carpet replacement at Scotland Elementary School and security film installation on approximately 80 windows at Prospect Ridge.

Officials said all projects must be completed before Sept. 1, when the district must submit its state reporting documentation.

The committee also reviewed the district’s operating budget through May 31. Browne reported that a second and final installment of the district’s excess-cost reimbursement for special education had been received, producing a surplus of roughly $456,000 in that account and offsetting most of the district’s special education deficit. At the end of May, the net special education deficit stood at approximately $455,000.

Several operational accounts remain in deficit, including transportation, electricity, pupil personnel services and athletic revenue. Browne said transportation costs improved by about $85,000 during the month as the district continued reconciling transportation routes and fuel usage.

Electricity costs continued to be a concern. Browne reported that the district increased electricity encumbrances by about $250,000 to ensure adequate funding through the end of the fiscal year. The increase significantly reduced a previously projected year-end surplus. As a result, district spending has been limited to essential purchases, services and repairs.

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Board member Rachel Marino questioned whether higher electricity costs were related to delays in restoring solar panels removed during roof replacement projects at Scotland and Ridgebury elementary schools.

Superintendent Susie Da Silva said the district had again contacted town officials seeking an update on when the solar installations would be restored. She noted that the absence of expected solar generation has contributed to budget pressures, though Browne said increased electricity delivery charges across the district have been the larger factor behind the deficit.

“We have reached out to our town partner again yesterday to ask if there is any progress on when those panels will be back on those schools,” Da Silva said.

The committee also reviewed a single budget transfer of $1,200 to create a new middle school instructional supplies account to support the district’s June Jump Start program.

Members received an update on gifts and donations, including a donation totaling $5,705 to support fifth-grade promotion activities. Browne said Ridgefield parent-teacher organizations continue to provide significant support for students and school programs.

No votes were taken during the committee meeting, which served as a review and discussion session ahead of consideration by the full Board of Education.