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

WATERFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
2020 - 2021 ( FY 21 )
Board of Finance Approved Budget

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.

•
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. 



Clear Alignment -> Board Goals -> Strategic Plan                      
-> School Growth Plans                                                                    
-> Dept./Team/Grade/Teacher Level Goals                                 
-> Best Classroom Practice
Focused: “All Means All”
Mastery of Standards by EACH Student
Whole Student Approach
Academic
Social / Emotional
Arts / Athletic / Co-Curricular
Professional Development - Continuous & Job-Embedded 
Coherent Curriculum Delivery
Best Instructional Practices Utilized
Aligns to our Plans


EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS IN LAST FIVE YEARS!!!
66.00%
42.80%
70.10%
65.20%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
ELA
MATH
% of Students Meeting/Exceeding Goal – SBAC
2014-15
2018-19
6.2%
52%

• Math – 52% Increase in Students at Goal or Above
– Equates to 258 MORE Students Achieving Goal
• ELA – 6.2% Increase in Students at Goal or Above
– Equates to 71 MORE Students Achieving Goal
EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS IN LAST FIVE YEARS!!!

2018-2019 Highlights:
• 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

School Year
# of College-Credit Bearing 
Courses Taken
2014 - 2015
283
2019 - 2020
937
331% INCREASE
937 Courses = 2811 College Credits
UCONN Cost per Credit = $570
Waterford Families Saving over $1.6M in College Tuition this Year

ACROSS 22 INDICATORS OF DISTRICT PROGRESS
“Connecticut’s Next Generation Accountability System… 
(indicates) how well a school is preparing its students for 
success in college, careers and life.”
State Assessments in Math, Language Arts, Science
English Proficiency
Absenteeism
College and Career Readiness
Graduation Rates
Arts
Physical Education

Accountability Index Over Time
3 Year Growth
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
Change Over 
Time 
16-17 to 18-19
Waterford Public School District
75.2
77.3
81.6
6.4
Groton Public School District
72.1
74
77
4.9
Salem Public School District
75.1
70.7
79.9
4.8
North Stonington Public School District
75.5
79
80.1
4.6
New London Public School District
58.7
62.8
63.2
4.5
Stonington Public School District
77.7
78.6
81.9
4.2
Region 17 (Lyme/Old Lyme) Public School District
83.3
84
86.6
3.3
Branford Public School District
76.1
74.6
77.9
1.8
Ledyard Public School District
74.7
77.9
76.1
1.4
Norwich Public School District
58.1
54.7
59.3
1.2
Montville Public School District
76.8
78
77.9
1.1
State of Connecticut
73.2
74.9
74.2
1.0
Clinton Public School District
77.6
74.1
78.5
0.9
Madison Public School District
80.7
82.4
81.4
0.7
East Lyme Public School District
80.7
82.5
81.3
0.6
Guilford Public School District
84.2
87.6
84.2
0
Region 4 (Chester, Deep River, Essex) Public School District
77.1
76.6
77.1
0
Westbrook Public School District
84.1
82.4
83.8
-0.3
Norwich Free Academy
71.4
73
69.1
-2.3

Accountability Index Over Time
Sorted by the 2018-19 Index Score
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
Region 17 (Lyme/Old Lyme) Public School District
83.3
84
86.6
Guilford Public School District
84.2
87.6
84.2
Westbrook Public School District
84.1
82.4
83.8
Stonington Public School District
77.7
78.6
81.9
Waterford Public School District
75.2
77.3
81.6
Madison Public School District
80.7
82.4
81.4
East Lyme Public School District
80.7
82.5
81.3
North Stonington Public School District
75.5
79
80.1
Salem Public School District
75.1
70.7
79.9
Clinton Public School District
77.6
74.1
78.5
Branford Public School District
76.1
74.6
77.9
Montville Public School District
76.8
78
77.9
Region 4 (Chester, Deep River, Essex) Public School District
77.1
76.6
77.1
Groton Public School District
72.1
74
77
Ledyard Public School District
74.7
77.9
76.1
State of Connecticut
73.2
74.9
74.2
Norwich Free Academy
71.4
73
69.1
New London Public School District
58.7
62.8
63.2
Norwich Public School District
58.1
54.7
59.3

WATERFORD SCHOOLS 
RANK 42nd
IN THE ENTIRE 
STATE OF CT.
EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS IN LAST FIVE YEARS!!!

WATERFORD
Performance – #42 – Top Third
Per Pupil Expenditure – 81 of 169

“Education is the Best Economic Driver 
in the State.  
Education Will Determine 
Connecticut’s Growth.”
Dr. Miguel Cardona, Commissioner of Education
CT State Department of Education


• 1 in 5 in Special Education (19%)
• 1 in 5 in 504 / Intervention (20%)
• English Learners Population More than 
Doubled in Recent Years
• 33 to 75 students
15 Languages in our Schools
• Almost 1 in 3 is on Free/Reduced 
Meals (30%)

CONTEXT TO 
BUDGET REQUEST
Visualize the Future

Grant Revenues Up - $625K in Last Four Years
Negotiated Elimination of Salary Lanes and Top Step in WFCT Contract
Last Three Union Contracts have new Lower Salary Schedule for New Hires
Negotiated Employee Contracts Below Statewide Trend
High Deductible Health Plans now Mandatory for Almost All Unions
Terminated The Friendship School Agreement
Public Relations and Targeted Marketing to Reduce Tuitions
Gas Line for Clark Lane Middle School and Energy Efficiency Measures
Reduction of Staff in Alignment with Enrollment Trends
Elimination of Non-Mandatory Bus Transportation
REVENUE GENERATOR: K-8 RECRUITMENT TO WATERFORD H.S.–76 SEATS
POTENTIAL REVENUE: ≈ $1M/YEAR TO THE TOWN’S GENERAL FUND

$516K
FY
PERCENT INCREASE
FY 16
1.35 %
FY 17
1.14 %
FY 18
3.04 %
FY 19
2.15 %
FY 20
2.13 %
5 YEAR AVERAGE BUDGET 
INCREASE
1.75%

SUPERINTENDENT’S CUTS:
• Staffing Requests
• Technology Equipment
• Maintenance Items
• Professional Development
• Instructional Supplies & Equipment
• Software
• Supplies
$516K

FEBRUARY 27, 2020 BOE CUTS:
• CUT ALL REMAINING MAGNET           
SCHOOL BUSING
• CUT SCHOOL-TO-CAREER COORDINATOR
• CUT LAPTOP REPLACEMENTS
• CUT BUS LOT RELOCATION COSTS
• LAP INSURANCE ADJUSTMENT
$163K


Category
$ Increase Over       
FY 20
% Increase Over       
FY 20
Part of the 
3.05% Increase
Salaries & 
Compensation
$ 989,426
3.20%
2.00%
Employee 
Benefits
$ 366,340
4.81%
0.74%
Heat, Energy,Fuel
$ 41,608
2.72%
0.08%
Transportation
$ 106,841
4.87%
0.23%
Tuition
( $ 254,843 )
( 7.51% )
( 0.52% )
All Other Lines
$ 255,879
6.98%
0.52%
$ 1,505,251
3.05%

ACTION
FISCAL IMPACT
K-8 RECRUITMENT TO 
WATERFORD HIGH SCHOOL
76 SEATS TO EASTERN CT
Potential Revenue of 
$1M / year to the 
Town General Fund
We have signed contracts with three (3) sending towns to send students 
and began accepting students this year.  
OVER $60,000 TO TOWN GENERAL FUND
THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
Plan: Phase in over four (4) years with 19 seats per year

28
• Tuition for 2020-2021 is $12,230. 
• Tuition Paying Students for 2020-2021 is 15.
• Expected Tuition is $183,450 and will be 
received by the Town’s General Fund.
• Town’s Current Mill Rate is 27.98.
• It would take grand list growth of 
$9,366,384 in order to generate this amount 
of revenue for the town in taxes.

Budget Request 
$ 1,505,251 
3.05 %
-
K-8 Partners 
Tuition 
( $ 183,450 )
- .37 %
Actual Net Budget 
Increase
$ 1,321,801
2.68 %
NET REQUEST AFTER K-8 TUITION TO 
THE TOWN GENERAL FUND

THE 
BUDGET 
Visualize the Future

Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
111 – Salaries, Certified
$ 661,883
121 – Temporary Pay, Certified
$ 13,294
TOTAL $ 675,177
• Contractual Increases for Certified Staff
• Additional FTEs for Enrollment (added during FY 20)
• 1.0 FTE Pre-K Teacher
• 2.0 FTE Elementary Classroom
• Additional FTE for Student Needs (added during FY 20)
• 1.0 FTE High School Social Worker (added during FY 20)
• Paid for with IDEA Grant
• .5 FTE English Language Learners Teacher (added during FY 20)
Reductions
• .5 FTE High School Special Education Teacher
• 1.0 FTE High School In-School Suspension Coordinator
$ 25,192,795

32
FY14
FY 15
FY 16
FY 17
FY 18
FY19
FY 20
Number of 
EL Students
33
49
53
55
58
72
75
% of Total 
School 
Population
1.29%
1.92%
2.11%
2.18%
2.31%
2.84%
3.06%
0
20
40
60
80
FY14
FY 15
FY 16
FY 17
FY 18
FY19
FY 20
# of EL Students

Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
112 - Salaries, Support
$ 253,593
119 – Student Worker – Vocational
$ 6,974
122 – Temporary Pay, Support
$ 33,567
132 – Overtime, Support
$ 20,115
TOTAL
$ 314,249
• Contractual Increase for All Support Staff
• Paraprofessionals based for Special Education (Added in FY 20 per IEPs)
• + 8.0 FTEs
Reduction
• 1.0 FTE Town Hall Custodian
$ 6,736,281

Year
Total PK-12
Students
Identified as 
Special Education
% Special 
Education
2010-11
2,837
289
10.2%
2011-12
2,711
293
10.8%
2012-13
2,646
310
11.7%
2013-14
2,567
389
15.2%
2014-15
2,555
413
16.2%
2015-16
2,529
410
16.2%
2016-17
2,537
417
16.4%
2017-18
2,535
424
16.7%
2018-19
2,531
437
17.3%
2019-20
2,450
457
18.7%
* Includes 18-21 year-old Transition students
34

Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
212 – Health Insurance 
$ 337,565
215 / 219 – Life Insurance & LTD
$ 513
220 – FICA, Employer’s Contribution
$ 37,971
240 – Reimbursements
( $ 2,700 )
250 – Unemployment Comp
( $ 6,224 )
260 – Workers’ Comp
$ 0
290 – Unused Sick Leave
$ 5,215
291 – Retirement Incentive
( $ 6,000 )
TOTAL $ 366,340
$ 7,975,868
• Health Increase based on Analysis of Claims Data and Fund Performance
• Life and Long Term Disability – Rate & Contractual
• Reimbursements – Contractual
• FICA – Reflects Additional Employees

Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
321 – Instructional Service – Contracted
( $ 54,667 )
322 – Professional Development
$ 3,000
323 – Curriculum Development
$ 0
330 – Other Prof/Technical Services
$ 95,763
331 – Legal Services
$ 15,935
TOTAL $ 60,031
$ 1,757,247
• 322 – Specialized HVAC Training for Maintenance Personnel
• 330 – Special Education Services at Magnet/Charter Schools
• 330 – NEASC Accreditation
• 331 – Legal – Teacher and Administrator Negotiations
Reduction 
• 321 – Elimination of Teacher of the Blind (Shared with Groton)
• Free Services through BESB

Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
510 – Transportation, Pupil
$ 106,841
627 – Transportation Supplies
( $ 9,513 )
TOTAL $ 97,328
$ 2,483,124 
• 2020-2021 is Year 4 of 5 for this Bus Contract
• 3% increase in transportation each year for 5 years
• Trend and Student Need
• Addition of Norwich Late Bus - $ 11,000
• Buses Permanently Housed at WHS – saving $30K a year
Reductions:
• Cut all Remaining Out-of-Town Magnet Transportation
• 627 - Diesel and Fuel – Decrease from FY 20

Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
520 – Fire/Property Insurance
( $ 3,747 )
521 – Liability Insurance
$ 2,676
529 – Other Insurance
( $ 2,627 )
TOTAL ( $ 3,698 )
$ 238,992
• Favorable Rates

Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
530 – Communications
( $ 157 )
531 – Postage
( $ 256 )
540 – Advertising
$ 0
TOTAL ( $ 413 )
$ 93,197
• Favorable Rates
• Continued Move to Electronic Methods

Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
560 – Tuition, Other Public
( $ 19,717 )
563 – Tuition, Private
( $ 253,401 )
TOTAL ( $ 273,118 )
$ 2,481,735
• Projecting Fewer Students Attending Magnet Schools in FY 21
• Special Education Placements at Private Programs Decreasing

25% REDUCTION IN MAGNET& VO-AG 
STUDENTS IN LAST FIVE YEARS K-12
• REAL $ BACK TO THE TOWN
• Direct contact with magnet families 
promoting Waterford Public Schools
• College and Career Pathways
• Marketing to Community
• Parents Nights
• Social Media & Web Presence
• The Connection Newsletter
• OUR RESULTS !!!

Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
580 – Travel and Conferences
( $ 6,088 )
590 – Contracted Services
$ 74,678
TOTAL
$ 68,590
$ 311,257
• 580 – Readjusted Field Trip Costs
• 580 – Rate Increase on Athletics Travel per Bus Contract
• 590 – MOU with Town to Pay for Town Hall Custodian

Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
440 – Rentals
$ 0
611 – Instructional Supplies
( $ 15,285 )
612 – Software
$ 32,073
TOTAL
$ 16,788
$ 807,930
• Software
• Network Security Remains High Priority
• Product Rate Increases ≈ $ 16,000
• New Instructional Software ≈ $ 30,000
Reductions:
• Instructional Supplies
• Reduced as a Result of Frugal Management
• Reduced $ 14,000 in Software Based on Usage Analysis

Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
410 – Water Service
$ 4,611
411 – Sewer Service
$ 6,875
430 – Maintenance & Repair
$ 23,341
613 – Maintenance Supplies
$ 21,856
620 – Fuel Oil
$ 3,153
621 – Electricity
$ 17,127
622 – Natural Gas
$ 24,853
623 – Propane
( $ 5,498 )
TOTAL
$ 96,318
$ 2,030,918
• Maintenance – Trend and Actuals
• Fuel & Utilities – Coming off of Historical Lows
• Per Comm Use MOU, $34K of Increases due to Reduction in Funding

Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
641 – Textbooks
( $ 1,300 )
642 – Library Books and Periodicals
$ 0
690 – Other Supplies/Materials
$ 9,409
TOTAL $ 8,109
$ 384,809
• Textbooks – Continue to Move Towards Digital Resources
• 690 – Increase in Contribution to Waterford Police for Services (MOU)

Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
730 – Equipment
$ 79,120
TOTAL
$ 79,120
$ 319,316
• Technology Funding
• Emergency Power in Data Closets
• Maintenance of Regional Printing Environment (Follow-Me)
• End of Life Replacements
• Replace (3) WHS Technology Labs
• Instructional Equipment
• Art – Adobe Photoshop and Computers (2)
• Music – Digital Piano for General Daily use in Music Classes
• Science – Microscopes (2), Physics Force Sensors (4), Lab Interface Tools (7)
Reductions:
• BOE Cut of Staff Laptop Replacement Cycle for QH
• BOE Cut of Student Laptop Replacement Cycle for WHS Science Department

Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
810 – Dues & Fees
$ 430
TOTAL $ 430
$ 28,846
• Rate-based

Visualize the Future
Your continued support will help us to provide exceptional programs for 
our students; preparing them for success in post-secondary experiences.
THANK YOU!