Board of Finance - Minutes - 03/20/2024

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
Board of Finance
Budget Hearing Minutes
Present:
Absent:
Elected:
Staff:
2.
3.
PHONE: 860-442-0553
wwnwawaterfordctorg
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
‘Town Hall Auditorium - 7:00 pm
Chairman Glenn Patterson, John Sheehan, Michael Rocchetti*, Ronald Fedor, Joe Filippetti, and
Robert Tuneski
*Michael Rocchetti (arrived 7:14pm), David Peabody
First Selectman Robert Brule; Patricia Fedor, Chair Board of Education; Paul Goldstein, RTM
Kimberly Allen, Director of Finance; Thomas Giard, Superintendent of Schools; Craig Powers,
Assistant Superintendent; Joseph Mancini, Director of Operations Board of Education; Mark Geer,
IT Board of Education; Kirk Samuelson, Waterford HS Principal; Amanda Batty, Waterford HS
Assistant Principal; Tracy Moore, Waterford HS Assistant Principal; James Sachs, Clark Lane
Middle Schoo! Principal; Chris Discordia, Quaker Hill Elementary Principal; Billie Shea, Great Neck
Elementary Principal; Rebecca Hall, Admin Assistant Finance Office/BOF Recording Secretary
Establishment of a quorum and call to order:
A quorum was established and the Budget Meeting of the Board of Finance was called to order at
7:00 pm on March 20, 2024.
Public Comment:
a. Narciss Greene, Great Neck Elementary School parent, questioned what department in town
would handle the drainage problem on the playground at the school. Chairman Patterson
explained that the meeting doesn’t allow discussion with the board and suggested a letter be
written to the Superintendent & 1* Selectman.
b. Laurie Wolfley, Board of Education member, recommended that the Board of Finance
approve the budget as presented.
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Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Ron Fedor to move forward tt Fy2495 Boat of
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Education budget request for discussion for the amount of $57,611,18 = BS
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Vote: 5-0-0 Motion: Passed 2 » ag
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Board of Education Budget: EN U Sa
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Patricia Fedor, Chair Board of Education (BOE), opened discussion by eXplainigaythe BE proposed
budget supports the district strategic plan and the BOE goals. The BOE Finanéé'committee met
several times to put the budget together in addition to two (2} public workshops to encourage
community input. Tom Giard, Superintendent of Waterford Public Schools (WPS), thanked all of
the professionals who contributed to the completion of the budget. He remarked about the

Board of Finance Budget Minutes ~ March 18, 2024
Page 2
bright future of Waterford schools. He then presented the budget with a slideshow detailing all
financial categories.
Bill Sheehan: Great Neck Elementary school an ingual program & new teacher. BOE
anticipates Oswegatchie Elementary School the next school to implement the program in
FY25/26. The program requires implementation if 20 or more students in one school speak the
same native language. Spanish is the language driving the program at Great Neck Elementary
School.
Robert Tuneski: How successful are the schools and how is success quantifiable? Mr. Giard:
School success/progress quantified in “Annual Year in Review” by BOE which highlights Waterford
education. Mark Greer, \T BOE, has assisted the BOE in creating a large database to help analyze
educational trends in the schools so progress can be measured more effectively. Each school also
has its own goals and strategies where metrics can be gathered.
Joseph Filippetti: UCFS School based health located at Clark Lane Middle School (CLMS) and
Waterford High School (WHS). Will funding remain for these locations? Mr. Giard: VNA pulling
out of the schools but several nurses have opted to stay. He stated five (5) nurses will be needed
(one for each school) — possibly six (6) due to student needs. Health Aide will assist at each
school. WPS will be splitting a Nursing Supervisor with East Lyme Public Schools who will manage
substitute coverage and among other duties.
Michael Rocchetti & Ron Fedor: Chronic absenteeism: why and what strategies are the schools
taking? Mr. Giard, with the assistance of the school principals and vice principals, answered that
every student's situation is different and each school may use different strategies to increase
attendance based on age and unique, individual situations. Mr. Rocchetti: Are teachers and
administrators given leeway to use more stringent measures with students if necessary? Mr.
Giard: Yes, where it seems fit. Strategies to address absenteeism include but are not limited to
the following:
© Home visits
‘+ Meetings with families
* Promotional campaigns (statewide)
* Activities before the school day begins
‘© Shorter school days to acclimate
‘Schoo! based psychological services
Bill Sheehan: Is there a possible projection of retirees in FY25/26 and budget allotment for the
replacement of retirees? Joe Mancini: Number of retirees using the health benefits data will be
supplied by the 8OE ata later date.
Bill Sheehan: Crossing guard removal at CLMS and replacement with Police Officer. Who pays for
this? Mr. Giard: The office is paid by the Police Department and legally is the only representative
who can direct traffic.
Robert Tuneski: Define paraprofessionals ~ their jobs in the classroom and is there a need for
more. Mr. Giard stated that all paraprofessionals are in place to support Special Education.

Board of Finance Budget Minutes ~ March 18, 2024
Page 3
4,
Michael Rocchetti mentioned that East Lyme Public Schools has one (1) paraprofessional assisting
in every classroom for regular education support. Is this something that WPS should implement?
Mr. Giard stated this has never been a topic for discussion during his tenure. When asked by Mr.
Tuneski if he would advocate for this in the future, the Superintendent stated he would need to
investigate the topic further before answering.
Bill Sheehan requested a list of organizations requiring fees and paid subscriptions that the BOE
belongs to or subscribes to. This list will be provided at a later date.
Mr. Giard stated, when asked by Bill Sheehan, that the next contracts to be reviewed in the fall
Michael Rocchetti: State funding for Education Cost Sharing (ECS) ~ WPS used to receive
$1.4million approximately ten years ago but now only receives $322,000. East Lyme Public
‘Schools receives $6.Smillion through ECS. Is anyone researching why the big difference between
‘two similar towns and is there a way for WPS to qualify for more money? Mr. Giard explained
that a town’s grand list is a primary factor in the state’s ECS formula. The presence of Millstone is
the primary driver for the lack of funding in Waterford and they may look into this for future
years.
Budget for the Board of Education is tentatively approved in the amount of $57,611,181.
Vote: 5-0-1 Abstained: Ron Fedor Motion: Passed
Adjournment:
Motion by Bill Sheehan and seconded by Joseph Filippetti to adjourn the Budget Meeting of the
Board of Finance at 9:12pm.
Vote: 6-0-0 Motion: Passed
Respectively Submitted,
V hcl,
Jolin Sheehan, Clerk Rebecca L. Hall, Secretary