Watch the full meeting above.
The Board of Education more than doubled the schools superintendent’s spending threshold, making it so that she can now spend up to $50,000 on district purchases before requiring board approval.
That change to New Haven Public Schools’ (NHPS) purchasing procurement, also known as Policy 3323, was approved by the board at its regular meeting, held in-person at John Martinez School and over Zoom.
The spending policy was previously last reviewed during the Covid pandemic.
The board first considered a policy draft that increased the superintendent’s existing spending threshold from $20,000 to $25,000. Mayor Justin Elicker proposed an increased threshold amendment.
“In my view, we need to balance making sure that there’s appropriate fiscal oversight, and the superintendent also has the ability to do her job and us not to micromanage,” Elicker said Monday evening during the board meeting.
He noted that the Board of Alders has a spending threshold of $150,000 that would prompt further review of purchases or multi-year contracts.
He concluded that $50,000 would hit the right balance for the school district.
Several board members agreed with Elicker that the amount should also increase to consider inflation shifts. Ultimately, the board unanimously voted to approve the updated policy.
Before voting in favor of the amended policy, Board member Ed Joyner said, “I have complete confidence in Dr. Negrón’s fiscal oversight,” and that he believes that $50,000 is a reasonable threshold. Board member Andrea Downer said she too thinks the $50,000 is just enough in order for the district to consider scheduling costs and other measures for contracts.
Matt Wilcox noted that the school board’s Finance and Operations Committee will continue to present space for the superintendent’s spending to be clarified if questions arise. At each committee meeting, he said he plans to continue to offer the floor for discussion on information-only contracts that the superintendent has already signed off on, to be sure discussions remain available on all spending.
Click here for the full policy draft.