Representative Town Meeting Annual Budget Meeting Materials - Day 1 (linked)

WATERFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
FY 22 BOF Approved Budget

WPS MISSION STATEMENT
Waterford Public Schools is a community of
learners
that
fosters
and
supports
high
aspirations, ensuring every student acquires
the skills and knowledge necessary to be a
responsible citizen, prepared to contribute
and succeed in an ever-changing world.
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2020-2021 BOARD GOALS
•
Execute and support the District’s Strategic Plan. 
•
Support high quality, effective professional learning; providing necessary resources of time 
and funding.  
•
Promote mental health approaches to reduce emotional stress among our students; and 
support the social and emotional intelligence and development of students.
•
Engage families in the most meaningful ways possible with their children’s learning.  
•
Promote the features and benefits of all of the Waterford Public Schools to encourage 
Waterford families to send their children to our five public schools and to investigate other 
districts in attending WHS.
•
Assess the district’s growth and progress using a variety of assessments, information, 
evidence, and data to ultimately improve teaching and learning.
•
Support the budget process in a challenging State and local fiscal environment and explore 
effective collaborative relationships in order to achieve collective savings and/or efficiencies. 
•
Support a positive school climate. 
•
Advocate for and build a district that promotes equity.
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GROWTH & INVESTMENT

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RESULTS
2018-2019 Highlights (Last Test Administration):
• Highest ELA SBAC Scores in District History
– Highest % of Students in Exceeded Band
• Highest Math SBAC Scores in District History
– Highest % of Students in Exceeded Band
• Middle School SBAC Math Gains Recognized
– Presented at Statewide Assessment Conference
– Chief Performance Officer Visited CLMS (January 2020)
• % of Students Entering College Increasing
– 83% to 88% in 5 Years

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RESULTS
School Year
# of College-Credit Bearing 
Courses Taken
2014 - 2015
283
2019 - 2020
954
237% INCREASE
954 Courses = 2862 College Credits
UCONN Cost per Credit = $601
Waterford Families Saving over $1.7M in College Tuition this Year

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RESULTS: 2018 – 2019 NEXT GEN
WATERFORD SCHOOLS 
RANKS IN THE
TOP THIRD 
OF ALL K-12 DISTRICTS
IN THE ENTIRE 
STATE OF CT.

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OUR LEVERS TO SUCCESS
• Rigorous Academic Program
• Comprehensive Social-Emotional 
Learning Approach
• Expansive Arts, Co-Curricular and 
Athletics Programs
• High Quality Professional Learning for 
Staff

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WPS – On the Map!
•
39 WHS Students passed the Seal of Biliteracy test: representing the languages of 
French, Latin, Spanish, Albanian, Mandarin, and Urdu .  3 students earned the Seal of 
Biliteracy in two languages. 
•
CLMS Robotics Team won the Judges Award for the Best Innovation Project at the First 
Lego League Regional Competition.
•
2 WHS Unified teammates and the WHS Unified coach were selected to be presenters 
at the CIAC Unified Sports Youth Leadership Summit. WHS Unified Sports Head Coach 
was also selected as one of the 2019 Connecticut High School Coaches of the Year.   
•
CLMS Math teacher was recognized at the Associated Teachers of Mathematics in CT 
(ATOMIC) conference as one of 3 state finalists for the Presidential Award for 
Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
•
1 GN teacher and 2 WHS teachers received Fund for Teachers Fellowship Grants.
•
GN was recognized as a ‘School of Distinction’ by the CSDE 
•
State of Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona and AFT CT President 
Jan Hochadel toured WHS and OSW.
•
A district team was invited to present at the statewide Performance Matters 
Conference, highlighting the district’s approach and instructional practices that 
assisted in the increase in students’ academic performance.
•
CSDE Chief Performance Officer Ajit Gopalakrishnan and staff visited CLMS to observe 
district’s approach to math in action. 

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THE 
BUDGET 

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CHALLENGES ARE OPPORTUNITIES

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WHO IS IN TODAY’S CLASSROOM?

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TODAY’S WATERFORD CLASSROOM
• 1 in 6 in Special Education (17%)
• 1 in 5 in 504 / Intervention (20%)
• 37% of Our Students Receive Daily Support
• English Learners Population More than 
Doubled in Recent Years
15 Languages in our Schools
• Almost 1 in 3 is on Free/Reduced 
Meals (28%)

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WHAT THIS BUDGET ACCOMPLISHES
• Address Needs as a Result of COVID-19
• Fund our Five-Year Strategic Plan
• Continue to Provide a High Quality Education
• Maintain Current Programs and Offerings
• Continue Reasonable Class Sizes
• Preserve Athletic and Extra-Curricular Programs
• Continue Quality Professional Development
• Sustain our Curriculum Renewal Cycle
• Continue Preventive Maintenance Program

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FY 22 BOE Budget Process
• BOE Finance Committee met 
throughout the Winter
• Series of Four Meetings
• Reviewed Every Budgetary Line
• Greater Understanding of the Budget 
Development Process & Methodology
• Feedback to Administration
• Two BOE Budget Workshops

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COST 
CONTAINMENT 
EFFORTS

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COST CONTAINMENT EFFORTS
Ø Grant Revenues Up - $708K in Last Five Years
Ø Negotiated Elimination of Salary Lanes and Top Step in WFCT Contract
Ø Aggressive Negotiations on Wages & Compensation – Below Trend
Ø High Deductible Health Plans with Increasing Cost Shares and Deductibles
Ø Eliminated all out-of-town Magnet Busing & Terminated TFS Agreement
Ø Targeted Marketing to Reduce Magnet Tuitions
Ø Energy Efficiency Measures
Ø Reduction of Staff with Enrollment Trends & Reduced Talented & Gifted
Ø
Ø
REVENUE GENERATOR: K-8 RECRUITMENT TO WATERFORD HS - 76 SEATS
POTENTIAL REVENUE: $1M/YEAR TO THE TOWN’S GENERAL FUND

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GRANTS
FY 21 = $82,493 Total
GRANTS UTILIZED IN 2020-2021     
GRANT
$ AWARDED
GRANT
$ AWARDED
Title IV Grant – Student Support 
and Academic Enrichment 
(District)
$21,000
Lego Corporation (PreK Program)
$8,000
Burlington Coat Factory Arts 
Grant (QH)
$1,200
PTA Tech Grant for STEM 
equipment  (QH)
$1,200
CIAC Unified Sports Grant (WHS)
$500
Teaching Tolerance Grant (GN)
$4,350
Stop and Shop A+ Rewards (OSW)
1,500
Carl D Perkins Career and 
Technical Education Grant (WHS)
$24,743 
Fund for Teachers (WHS and GN)
$15,000
Stop and Shop A+ Rewards (CLMS)
$1,500 
CT PTA STEM Grant (QH) 
$1,000
Bob’s Furniture – Support for 
Music and Psychology 
Departments (CLMS)
$500
MakerBot Grant (CLMS)
$1,500
Exxon/Mobil Science Grant 
(CLMS)
$500

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GRANTS
FISCAL YEAR
$ GRANTS OBTAINED
FY 17
$ 95,434
FY 18
$ 146,744
FY 19
$ 212,524
FY 20
$ 170,466
FY 21*
$ 82,493
$707,661 in OPTIONAL Grants in 5 Years
* FY 21 – Impact of COVID-19

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WHERE OUR MONEY IS SPENT
62%
16%
6%
3%
5%
8%
Salaries &
Compensation
Employee Benefits
Tuition
Heat, Energy, Fuel
Transportation
All other
Note: Salaries and Benefits National Average is 80-85%. Source: AASA

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Proposed Budget is
Measured
1.33%
4 Less Teaching Positions

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Budget Context
FY 22 BUDGET
1.33%
$ 670,731
ESSER II FUNDING      
BUDGET IMPACT
( 0.79% )
( $ 397,576 )
POSSIBLE NEW
FY 22 BUDGET
0.54%
$ 273,155

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FURTHER CONTEXT – FY 22 BUDGET
FY 22 BUDGET
1.33%
$ 670,731
ESSER II FUNDING      
BUDGET IMPACT
( 0.79% )
( $ 397,576 )
POSSIBLE NEW 
FY 22 BUDGET
0.54%
$ 273,155
K-8 PARTNERSHIP 
TUITION REVENUE TO 
TOWN GENERAL FUND
( 0.39% )
$ 198,224
NET FY 22 BUDGET
0.15%
$ 74,931

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Factors for the 1.33% Request
• 4.0 Teaching FTEs Eliminated
• Paraprofessionals Turnover & Contract 
Settlement
• Flat Health Insurance from Low Claims 
Experience in 2020
• Historical Low Fuel and Diesel Costs

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BUDGET DRIVERS
Category
$ Increase Over       
FY 21
% Increase Over       
FY 21
% of Overall 
Budget Increase
Salaries & 
Compensation
$ 200,093
0.63%
29.83%
Employee 
Benefits
$ 156,900
1.97%
23.39%
Heat, Energy, Fuel
( $ 3,319 )
( 0.22% )
( 0.49% )
Tuition
$ 12,162
0.49%
1.81%
Transportation
$ 69,066
3.00%
10.30%
All Other Lines
$ 235,829
5.17%
35.16%
$ 670,731
1.33%

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INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES
Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
111 – Salaries, Certified
$ 215,692
121 – Temporary Pay, Certified
( $ 1,171 )
TOTAL $ 214,522
•
Reductions – Primary Factor is enrollment.
•
4.0 FTEs in Certified Teaching Staff
•
Contractual Increases for Certified Staff
•
Supports:
•
Increased Intervention Staffing PK-12 due to COVID-needs
•
School Psychologist at Secondary Level
•
Capstone Requirements
•
Human Resources Position
$ 25,044,842

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SUPPORT SERVICES
Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
112 - Salaries, Support
( $16,457 )
119 – Student Worker – Vocational
$ 0
122 – Temporary Pay, Support
$ 76
132 – Overtime, Support
$ 1,952
TOTAL
( $14,429 )
• Contractual Increase for All Support Staff
• Level Staffing – No New Staff
$ 6,693,404

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EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
212 – Health Insurance 
$ 12,424
215 / 219 – Life Insurance & LTD
$ 2,049
220 – FICA, Employer’s Contribution
$ 9,634
240 – Reimbursements
$ 15,000
250 – Unemployment Comp
$ 42,478
260 – Workers’ Comp
$ 9,462
290 – Unused Sick Leave
$ 56,853
291 – Retirement Incentive
$ 9,000
TOTAL $ 156,900
$ 8,139,692
• Health Increase - Flat
• Life and Long Term Disability – Rate & Contractual
• Reimbursements – Contractual
• Unused Sick Leave – Contractual 

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CONTRACTED SERVICES
Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
321 – Instructional Service – Contracted
( $ 4,319 )
322 – Professional Development
$ 0
323 – Curriculum Development
$ 0
330 – Other Prof/Technical Services
( $ 41,970 )
331 – Legal Services
( $ 6,000 )
TOTAL ( $ 52,289 )
$ 1,704,958
• 330 – Special Education Services at Magnet/Charter Schools
• 330 – HR Contribution to the Town
• 330 – NEASC Accreditation
• 331 – Legal – Less Negotiations in FY 22

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TRANSPORTATION
Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
510 – Transportation, Pupil
$ 69,066
627 – Transportation Supplies
( $ 20,677 )
TOTAL $ 48,389
$ 2,488,513 
• 2020-2021 is Year 5 of 5 for this Bus Contract
• 3% increase in transportation each year for 5 years
• 627 - Diesel and Fuel – Decrease from FY 21 – Better Rates

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INSURANCE
Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
520 – Fire/Property Insurance
$ 2,264
521 – Liability Insurance
$ 2,704
529 – Other Insurance
$ 607
TOTAL $ 5,575
$ 244,967
• Rate-Based

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COMMUNICATIONS
Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
530 – Communications
$ 1,336
531 – Postage
$ 0
540 – Advertising
$ 1,000
TOTAL $ 2,336
$ 95,533
• 530 - Trend
• 540 - Bus Bid

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TUITION
Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
560 – Tuition, Other Public
$ 3,551
563 – Tuition, Private
$ 8,611
TOTAL $ 12,162
$ 2,493,897
• Projecting Fewer Students attending Magnet Schools in FY 22
• Special Education Placements at Private Programs Decreasing
• Based on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• Rate Increases by Providers

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OTHER PURCHASED SERVICES
Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
580 – Travel and Conferences
( $ 1,940 )
590 – Contracted Services
$ 47,582
TOTAL $ 45,642
$ 356,899
• 580 – Anticipating Less Travel in the Fall for Conferences
• 580 – Rate Increase on Athletics Travel - Contract
• 590 – Rate Increase on Existing Products
• 590 – Supports Expansion of Existing Time-Keeping System 
for more HR Functionality
• 590 – MOU with Town to Pay for Town Hall Custodian

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INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPLIES
Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
440 – Rentals
$ 21,970
611 – Instructional Supplies
$ 8,287
612 – Software
$ 99,859
TOTAL
$ 130,116
$ 938,046
• 440 – Rentals - Bus Trailer Rental 
• 611 – Instructional Supplies
• PSAT 9 for all 9th Graders
• OLSAT for all 3rd Graders
• 612 – Software – COVID Software now Fully Integrated
• Product Rate Increases ≈ $ 27K
• New Infrastructure Software ≈ $ 47K
• New Instructional Software ≈ $ 26K

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OPERATION & MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS
Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
410 – Water Service
( $ 2,299 )
411 – Sewer Service
( $ 3,177 )
430 – Maintenance & Repair
$ 48,108
613 – Maintenance Supplies
$ 6,355
620 – Fuel Oil
$ 1,885
621 – Electricity
$ 29,743
622 – Natural Gas
( $ 7,670 )
623 – Propane
( $ 1,124 )
TOTAL $ 71,821
$ 2,077,739
• Water, Sewer, Natural Gas, & Propane – Usage Down
• 430 & 613 - Maintenance – COVID Pricing (Filters) & Trend
• Per Comm Use MOU, $34K of Increases due to Reduction in Funding

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TEXTBOOKS/LIBRARY BOOKS/OTHER 
SUPPLIES
Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
641 – Textbooks
$ 0
642 – Library Books and Periodicals
$ 11,000
690 – Other Supplies/Materials
$ 13,070
TOTAL $ 24,070
$ 390,879
• Textbooks – Continue to Move Towards Digital Resources
• 642 – Library Books
• Overhaul of WHS Non-Fiction Collection
• Social Justice, Race, Bias & Equity
• 690 – Athletic Equipment – End of Life
• Swim Timing System, Batting Cage, Uniforms

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EQUIPMENT
Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
730 – Equipment
$ 24,824
TOTAL
$ 24,824
$ 344,140
• Technology Funding – Page 66
• Replacement Cycle for End of Life Equipment
• Wi-Fi Improvements
• Print Management
• Projectors
• Instructional Equipment
• Science – Microscopes and Microscope Cameras
• CTE / Technology Education – Drill Press and Wood-Working
•
WHS – Blinds for 30 Classrooms

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DUES & FEES
Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
810 – Dues & Fees
$ 692
TOTAL $ 692
$ 28,846
• Rate-Based

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Federal & State 
COVID Relief 
Funds
ESSER II

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ESSER II - Overview
• Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief 
Funds
• Eligibility Period – Back to March 2020
• COVID-19 Related Expenses
– must be focused on students whose progress decreased
– students with disabilities and/or English learners
– students experiencing homelessness; disengaged youth, 
or those with barriers to remote learning
– School facility repairs and improvements to enable 
operation of schools to reduce risk of virus transmission 
– Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and 
upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality in 
school facilities, including HVAC
$ 1,160,769 over FY 21, 22 and FY 23

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FY 22 Budget Context
FY 22 BUDGET
1.33%
$ 670,731
ESSER II FUNDING      
BUDGET IMPACT
( 0.79% )
( $ 397,576 )
NEW FY 22 BUDGET
0.54%
$ 273,155

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A Year of 
Challenges…

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COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

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THANK YOU!
Thank you for believing in our staff, students 
and families of Waterford.  
Your continued support will help us to provide 
exceptional programs for our students, preparing 
them for success in post-secondary experiences.