Andover Schools Announce Over $1 Million Budget Deficit

ANDOVER, MA — Andover Public Schools went $1,373,529 over budget for the first half of fiscal year 2020, ending Dec. 31, Superintendent Sheldon Berman announced in a letter to the community Monday. The deficit was caused in large part by higher out-of-district special education placement and special education transportation costs than anticipated, as well as lower athletics revenues, according to the district spokeswoman Nicole Kieser. The district is looking to cover more than half of the deficit with reserve funds and a town meeting warrant article, but is also restricting spending.

"The deficit is the result of two unanticipated costs that emerged after the budget process came to a close last year, out-of-district special education placement costs of approximately $812,000 and special education transportation cost increases of approximately $489,000," Berman wrote in his letter to the community.

The athletic revenues were reduced due to the EEE risk in the fall, which forced the district to reschedule fall games and practices, Kieser said.

To cover the out-of-district placement part of the deficit, "The School Committee has committed at least $600,000 from the Circuit Breaker reserve fund to offset a portion of the out-of-district placement expense, with a Town Meeting warrant article for $212,000 to cover the remainder of those costs," Berman wrote.

There are "limited" alternative funds for the higher transportation costs, however, resulting in spending restrictions. According to Kieser, if weather continues to cooperate, part of the balance can be offset with utilities savings.

"Additionally, we have restricted spending on professional development, materials and supplies, and overtime hours for the time being," she wrote.

District officials did not explain what caused the projections to miss the mark.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.