FY21 Budget Issue – April 2020

Drummer F O R I M ME DIAT E DE LI V E RY

The Granby

*****************ECRWSS****

FY21 BUDGET ISSUE

Special Budget Issue • April 2020

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Board of Finance recommends no change in tax rate for FY21 given the notable assist from last year’s Grand List growth of 1.7 percent. The finance board declined to On March 30, the Board of Finance do that, given the economic impact met to receive the budget requests being felt right now until the apex for the upcoming fiscal year FY21 of the public health crisis passes and from the Boards of Selectmen life begins to return to normal increand Education. While mentally. It is of greater the initial requests and importance now to not Mill rate to Plus One budgets were increase the tax burden presented by the Town on families and busiremain at Manager and School nesses in town for the Superintendent to the upcoming fiscal year. boards back in JanuInitially the board ary, they have been looked to keep the mill reviewed and revised by the respecrate change under 2 percent while altive boards in and around the budget lowing the budget to set aside money workshops. Two months ago, the in reserve to help flatten the mill rate Board of Finance had called for opchanges in the coming years. While erating budgets of 3 percent or less that long-term view has great merit, which would allow an overall budget we felt that now it makes better sense change in the 2 percent range with to leave the value of any increase a mill rate change of under 2 perin the taxpayer’s hands rather than cent. Piecing together the operating to set it aside in reserve for a future components as well as Capital and known need. This we have done, Debt Service, and after considering drawing a modest amount from the revenue picture and reserves, the the General Fund to close the gap overall FY21 budget recommended instead. by the Board of Finance reflects an Granby stands strong financially increase of 1.83 percent in expenas we all prepare to weather this ditures with no increase in the mill storm. Just as we are individually rate, the tax rate. unsure how the next couple months The initial intent was to hold the will affect our personal finances, at mill rate in the mid-1 percent range

By Michael B. Guarco, Jr. Chair, Board of Finance

2020 - 2021 Town of Granby Budget

$47,622,341 REVENUES Local Rev. & Fund Transfers

change on page 4

Governor’s Executive Order No. 71, #13 Suspension of In-Person Budget Adoption Requirements for Municipalities

Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Connecticut General Statutes, including Title 7, or any special act, municipal charter or ordinance that conflicts with this order, the legislative body of a municipality or, in a municipality where the legislative body is a town meeting, the board of selectmen, shall authorize the budget-making authority within said municipality to adopt a budget for the July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021 fiscal year and to set a mill rate sufficient, in addition to the other estimated yearly income of such town and in addition to such revenue surplus, if any, as may be appropriated, not only to pay the expenses of the municipality for said fiscal year, but also to absorb the revenue deficit of such town, if any, at the beginning of said fiscal year without holding votes required by charter or without complying with any in-person budget adoption requirements, including but not limited to, annual town meetings requiring votes, referendum, and special town meetings. In so acting, the budget-making authority of the municipality shall comply with public meeting requirements consistent with requirements set forth in Executive Order 7B and shall thereby take all reasonable steps to publicize the draft municipal budget for said fiscal year and to receive public comment thereon, including but not limited to publishing draft budgets on the website and providing an email address or other means for the public to submit timely comments on the proposed budget.

100%

Intergovernmental

2.4%

Revenue 14.4%

Other Property Tax

Education Services 67.3%

1.4%

39.61

See No

EXPENDITURES 100%

Property Tax Levy 81.8%

Municipal Services 32.7%

0

0

0

0

Note: Revenue percentages are rounded, so totals may exceed 100%. See chart below for exact numbers.

By the Numbers REVENUE

Property Tax Levy Other Property Tax Intergovernmental Revenues Local Revenues and Fund Transfers

38,931,847

690,000

6,872,966 1,127,528

Total $47,622,341 Mill Rate

39.61 EXPENDITURES

Municipal Services Total Education Services Total

15,578,591 32,043,750

Budget Grand Total

$47,622,341

This budget and the long view

By Michael B. Guarco, Jr. Chair, Board of Finance

The FY21 budget, combining the operational requests from the Boards of Selectmen and Education as well as Capital and Debt Services, carries a 1.83 percent change in expenditures and a zero change in mill rate. It is another in a long series of budgets going back a decade that average about 1.75 percent in expenditure increase year to year

as well as a similar average annual change in mill rate over the same 10-year period (isolating any impact from the mandated every fifth year revaluation process). This falls in line with, if not less than, trends in inflation and wage growth over that same time period.

A decade ago, the FY10 and FY11 budgets reflected harsh times immediately after the fall of 2008 financial See Long

view on page 4

Page 2

The Granby Drummer

Special Budget Issue April 2020

Municipal Services FY21 municipal budget maintains service levels

By B. Scott Kuhnly, First Selectman

I am pleased to present to the Citizens of Granby, for their consideration a budget for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2020-21.

This budget is the culmination of months of preparation by the town staff, department heads, and board members. I would like to thank Town Manager John Ward, Administration Finance Officer Kimi Cheng and their staffs, as well as the volunteers of the Boards of Selectmen, Education, and Finance.

There have been no fewer than 10 formal opportunities to comment on the municipal and education budgets and I would like to thank all who came to the budget workshops and provided input. Please be aware that the time for input is not closed. The Board of Finance will host a closed public hearing on the budget on April 13, 2020, at 7 p.m., Town Hall Meeting Room.* The public can access the meeting through a virtual Zoom meeting, where you will be able to voice questions or comments.

Details of the virtual Zoom meeting will be posted on granby-ct. gov and in the April 13 agenda memo. I encourage the public to email questions and comments to budget20-21@granby-ct.gov before the public hearing. Of course, you may always call Town Hall,

me, or any of the Board members with questions or concerns.

The town budget, as adopted by the Boards of Selectmen and Finance is a responsible budget that continues to provide necessary services for the citizens of the Town of Granby. The total Municipal Operations Budget is $11,738,716, with Debt Service of $2,089,875, and a Capital Budget of $1,750,000 combining for a total Town Budget of $15,578,591.

This year town departments presented their budgets at the Board of Selectmen budget workshops.

This allowed departments to provide additional information about their activities and to answer questions for more transparency of how the different departments operate with a limited staff and budget.

The town is striving to maintain the proper levels of services, especially in the area of public safety, while maintaining a reasonable level of taxation. Both continue to be a challenge, due to, among other reasons, the declining and uncertain level of revenue from the State.

In the current Fiscal Year 201920, the level of funding of the largest grant, the Educational Cost Sharing Grant (ECS) received by the town was increased to $5,137,260 from $4,832,732

Board of Selectmen Expenditures: $15,578,591

which was $262,120 less than actually received of $5,399,380 in Fiscal Year 2018-19. After the state budget was adopted, the ECS grant was increased by $192,957 to $5,330,217. The Governor is proposing reductions to ECS funding of $51,903 for 2020-21 and further declines in future years.

The Elderly Tax Relief Grant of $71,000 (used to assist qualified elderly and disabled Granby citizens with taxes) was eliminated for FY 2017-18 and going forth. The Town nonetheless continues to offer the qualified tax assistance. The Mashantucket and Pequot Grant ($23,292) was eliminated in the Governor’s proposed budget for FY 2018-19 and going forth.

This year, the Granby Grand List went up by 1.71% to $1,022,038,770. This will be assisted by the new developments of Ridgewood and Copper Brook, as well as additions to some of our established businesses, such as Grass Roots Ice Cream.

The challenge of the unpredictable nature of the State revenue is compounded by increases in the costs of providing services. In January 2020, the estimated cost of maintaining current services, as noted in the Plus One budget, called for an increase of $546,900

or 5.22% over last year’s budget.

This level of increase was not included in the final budget. One example of the cost driver is the pension actuarial determined contribution (ADC). The cost, which is borne by the employees, town, and board is projected to increase by 20%. Other cost drivers include, wages, health insurance, tipping fees, and solid waste and recycling collection.

On behalf of the Board of Selectmen, I thank you for your participation and appreciate your consideration. If you have any questions or wish more information, please contact the town manager, myself or any of the selectmen. Lastly, it is appropriate for me to mention that pursuant to Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No 7I, paragraph 13, the budget approval process is modified. For the safety of the public, the public referendum is changed this year. The budget is to be finalized by the Board of Finance.

Therefore, your input, both now and at the time of the public hearing will be highly valued.

Be well. *Dates are subject to change due to COVID-19. Please check Town of Granby website at granby-ct.gov for updates.

Municipal Services Breakdown CATEGORY

ITEM COST SUBTOTALS

General Government (Operations)

Debt Service 13.4%

General Government Department (Operations) 75.4%

BOS & BOE Capital Equipment/Improvement Allotment 11.2% Please consult the tables accompanying the graphs for exact figures.

11,738,716

— Administration

4,703,439

— Personal and Property Protection

2,834,317

— Public Works and Environment

3,190,220

— Libraries, Recreation, Social Services 1,010,740 Board of Selectmen/Board of Education Capital Equipment/Improvement Allotment

1,750,000

Debt Service

2,089,875

TOTAL 15,578,591 Total is a 0.3% reduction from FY20

Special Budget Issue April 2020 The Granby Drummer Page 3

Education Services Education Services Breakdown CATEGORY

ITEM COST

SUBTOTALS

FY21 education budget continues goal of excellence but reflects fiscal restraints

Regular Education Salaries & Benefits 20,016,845

Administration 1,725,527

Regular Education Teachers

Substitute/Tutor/Support Salaries

Teaching Assistant Salaries

Administrative Assistant/Clerical Custodian/Maintenance Benefits

10,843,343 287,746 303,433 1,195,780 1,319,033 4,341,984

By Melissa Migliaccio Chair, Board of Education

I am pleased to submit the 20202021 (FY21) Board of Education Budget. This budget represents a commitment to excellence and

equity to continue to have the Special Education Salaries & Benefits 4,398,988 Granby Public Schools recog Special Education Teachers 1,817,977

Sped Support - P.T./O.T. 446,287 nized as one of the finest school

Tutors - Special Education 21,583 districts in the state. The proposed

Sp. Ed. Teaching Assistants 1,158,928 budget of $32,043,750 represents Benefits 954,213 an increase of 2.92% above the

2019-2020 budget. This budget Other Special Education Costs 2,201,827 is below the set budget guideline

Out of District Tuition 1,469,896 established by the Granby Board

Out of District Transportation 704,616

General Supplies 27,316 of Finance.

The budget was developed Utilities 565,401 around the following Granby

Electricity 409,049 Board of Education Budget Goals:

Fuel Oil 156,352

• Provides a rigorous and diverse Buses 996,661 996,661 21st Century Curriculum;

• Invests in the professional capiBldg. Maint., Legal, Insurance & Misc 1,018,131 tal of the staff;

Building Repairs & Maintenance 683,552 • Promotes positive engagement Legal 55,000

Insurance - Property & Liability 102,700 and communication with the Communications 91,781 community;

Adult Education 11,967 • Explores opportunities for alter Conference & Travel 73,131 native revenue sources;

• Influences local and state educaSupplies, Purchased Services & Activities 2,845,897 tional policy; and,

Instructional 944,188

Administrative 531,269 • Recognizes the economic cli Textbooks & Workbooks 140,217 mate, includes efficiencies and

Library/Media Center 63,336 is responsive to the financial Software 321,922 guidelines set by the Board of

Dues & Fees 50,446

Student Activities 794,519 Finance.

TOTAL

There are four major budget increase drivers: +1.77% Base +0.73% Special Education +0.25% Q&D to Operating Budget +0.17% All other line items The budget is a spending plan that is responsive to the needs of the district and will continue to move our incredible district forward. This budget will continue our commitment to student achievement and excellence, maintain a focus on teaching and learning, continue to extend opportunities to all students considering their social and emotional well-being, maintain class size according to Granby Board of Education guidelines, and provide a safe and healthy environment.

In closing, I want to thank the entire Granby Community for supporting our school system.

Our success would not be possible without all the support and ongoing commitment shown to our students. It is because of the collective efforts of the town that students within the Granby Public Schools are able to start their journey on fulfilling their dreams.

$32,043,750

Total is a 2.92% increase compared to FY20

Board of Education Expenditures: $32,043,750 Other Special Education Costs 6.9% Supplies, Purchased Services & Activities 8.9% Regular Salaries & Benefits 62.5%

Bldg. Maintenance, Legal, Insurance & Misc. 3.2% Buses 3.1% Utilities 1.8%

Special Education Salaries & Benefits

13.7%

Please consult the tables accompanying the graphs for exact figures.

+38 (+3.1%)

Projected change in student population FY20-FY25

Page 4

The Granby Drummer

Long view

cont’d. from page 1

collapse, with one year having a zero tax change and the other essentially a flat budget. They were harsh times, far different from the 80s when budgets, mill rates and individual wages cruised along at a clip of 4 - 5 percent or so annually.

The current public health crisis manifests itself in its own economic crisis, the length and depth of which will most likely have impacts on us all as we endure the next months and years. There are potential implications to local governments and budgets as well as those of the state.

Some revenues could go up, others down and the same holds true of expenses. It’s all a great unknown— pure speculation—how this situation may affect the next couple years and the planning for those near-term years.

That said, and all else held equal, we could reasonably project that we typically would be looking to maintain local government budgets overall with no more than about 3 percent with the outer year mill rate changes in the mid-2 percent range.

Our intent was to keep these next two or perhaps three years under 2 percent and then direct our focus to lessen the later ones to under 2 percent as well if we could. We would need significant reserves—General Fund and set-aside money—to do so; something like $2M would be needed in reserve in those years to flatten them down a bit. This led us to conclude that it would make sense to set aside money in those reserves whenever prudent to help buffer the mill rate in those nearterm upcoming years. That is why the original intent was to hold the mill rate change this year and next at less than 2 percent while feeding some money into reserves for those years immediately following.

We would like to hold all mill rate changes for the next half dozen years

at 2 percent or less.

Well, as the old adage goes: “Man plans, and God laughs.”

While the planning for the long view makes sense, the gravity of this moment in time led us to forgo setting aside anything directly into reserves and instead draw on our existing reserves to hold this mill rate flat. We fully recognize that doing so makes it harder to pursue the goal of flattening out the mill rate changes over time as it causes us to draw more from reserves over time or alternatively, let the mill rate edge higher. What one does in one year has consequences in the subsequent years.

Having weighed the consequences, we’ve chosen that the immediate need is greater so we have recommended holding the mill rate flat.

We know we are in a strong positional fiscally, having strengthened reserves in advance of approaching the bond markets for the capital projects approved last year at referendum. We know as well that the two operating boards, Education and Selectmen, typically do not spend all that has been authorized to be spent and instead return money to the General Fund. This fund is essentially the retained earnings checkbook, the accumulated sum of the operations of the town over time, of monies authorized but not spent and of unanticipated revenues. Over time, these monies will feed into the General Fund to help offset what we draw from it.

Despite the shift in stance due to current events, and even though it has made it harder to do so, it is our intent to maintain the financial strength of the town while keeping the year-to-year change in mill rate both reasoned and reasonable. We believe both to be in the public’s best interest.

Granby’s Elected Boards with Budgetary Responsibilities

BOARD OF EDUCATION Melissa Migliaccio, Chairman Mark Fiorentino, Vice-Chairman Rosemarie Weber, Secretary Jenny Emery David Peling Sarah Thrall Brandon Webster BOARD OF SELECTMEN B. Scott Kuhnly, First Selectman Sally King, Vice-Chairman Glenn Ballard Mark Neumann Edward Ohannessian BOARD OF FINANCE Michael Guarco, Jr., Chairman William Kennedy Frederick Moffa Kelly Rome James Tsaptsinos Alfred Wilke

Special Budget Issue April 2020

A look at Granby’s Debt Service Town of Granby Debt Service — 2018-2027 2018 - 2027 4,000,000 3,500,000 3,000,000 2,500,000 2,000,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 500,000 0

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Existing Debt Service

Estimated Debt Service

Numbers shown reflect the Debt Service schedule – principal and interest – for existing bonding, as well as for new debt to be issued.

GRANBY

BY THE NUMBERS

41

Square miles in area

96.56

1,785

Miles of road maintained

Enrolled in Granby schools 2019-20

1,350

Est. Tons of curbside recycling.

FY19-20

92%

5,100

Est. Library items added FY19-20

Granby taxes are raised from residential property taxes (8% is commercial)

16,000 Est. calls for

1,019

police service FY19-20

Dogs licensed FY19-20

No change cont’d. from page 1 the local government level we are equally unsure of its impact on local and state government finances.

As the future unfolds we are wise to pay attention to the potential need to recalibrate expenditure budgets as needs may decrease in some areas while increasing in others. The same

holds true as we see our way through the upcoming fiscal year, and a year from now are contemplating the following year’s budget. The state of the economy six months and a year from now will weigh heavily as we then consider that next fiscal year.

Follow us on Facebook: Granby Public Schools

and Twitter @GranbySchools and @GranbySuper

GRANBY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • Granby, CT • www.granby.k12.ct.us Our Mission All students will become powerful thinkers, effective collaborators and compassionate contributors in preparation for success in a dynamic, interdependent world.

Nationally and State-Recognized Schools

prepared for 21st Century Citizenship.

for more info, visit granby-ct.gov

TO W N M EE TI NG via Zoom APRIL 13 7 PM

VISION

Granby Public Schools will graduate on time,

Community Educational Supplement — Budget Issue April 2020

Student Enrollment & Class Size

PK-12

district enrollment of 1,800 in FY21 reflects an increase of 15 students from FY20. Enrollment in FY22 and FY23 is projected to decrease then steadily increase in FY24 and FY25. By FY25, enrollment is projected to increase by 23 students (+1.26%). Class sizes in most grades will be comparable to DRG and state averages.

YEAR 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025

419

433

394

427

378

425

347

417

356

402

3-5

PK-2

6-8 441 433 406 381 373

9-12

Every student educated in the

Granby Board of Education

TOTAL

601

1,800

591

1,788

566

1,775

608

1,810

598

1,823

David Peling pelingd@granby.k12.ct.us

Jenny Emery emeryj@granby.k12.ct.us

Mark Fiorentino Vice Chair fiorentinom@granby.k12.ct.us

Melissa Migliaccio Chair migliacciom@granby.k12.ct.us

Rosemarie Weber Secretary weberr@granby.k12.ct.us

Next year, the budget protects class sizes. BOE class guidelines will be met and class sizes will be compatible with State and DRG averages.

Granby State* DRG* Projected Granby Guidelines Averages Averages Averages

Kindergarten 18 Grade 2 21-22 Grade 5 23-25 Grade 7 23-25 High School 18-25

18.9 17.8 17.1 19.8 19.2 18.8 21.3 21.4 21.3 20.2 20.3 23.2 18.8 20.0 19.0

* Data from 2013-2014 CSDE School Profile and Performance Report (most recent state report that shows class sizes).

These statistics are no longer reported in the school profiles.

Sarah Thrall thralls@granby.k12.ct.us

FY21 Appropriation Request FY21 Operating Budget Request (2.92%) Quality and Diversity Fund Small Capital Fund Board of Education Appropriation Request

$32,043,750 $982,910 $950,000 $33,976,660

Brandon Webster websterb@granby.k12.ct.us

Dwaritha Ramesh Student Representative

Jack DeGray Student Representative

Operating Budget

Revenue Sources $2,201,827 6.9%

$1,018,131 3.2%

Buses $996,661 3.1% Utilities

Regular Education Salaries & Benefits $20,016,845 62.5%

$565,401 1.8%

Funds that are directly received by the school district for specific purposes outlined in a grant application.

These grant funds may not be spent to supplant existing programs. Information on FY21 grant amounts are not yet available and are always subject to funding.

Funds from several different sources are deposited into this revolving fund each year. A reserve balance is carried from year-to-year to meet multi-year obligations, particularly in the area of magnet school tuition and technology leases.

Entitlement funds received by the town into the general fund.

Projections are made by the town based on the Governor’s budget.

Excess Cost Grants reimburse the district for special education costs for high-cost students whose outof-district tuition and transportation exceed the total of four and one half times our per pupil expenditure. ‡

Special Education Salaries & Benefits $4,398,988 13.7%

The operating Budget is driven by salaries and benefits (76.2%). The operating budget is developed to meet the needs of all students attending Granby Public Schools. Classes are staffed with established class-size guidelines. The full budget is posted on Granby Public Schools’ website at www.granby.k12.ct.us.

Budgeted Salaries

The

FY21 budget includes the last year of compensation in the teacher’s threeyear contract (2018-2021). The increase this year is 0.047% including step. Administrators are in the second year of a three-year contract with an overall increase of 3.4% in FY21. Secretaries are in the second year of a three-year contract.

The increase for this group is 2.75% plus step. Custodians will begin the second year on a three-year contract in FY21. The negotiated increase is 2%. Teaching Assistants are budgeted for a 3% wage increase as are all other non-affiliated groups.

Group

FY20 Budget FY21 Budget ($) ($)

% Change

Teachers 12,461,927 12,661,320 1.60% Administrators 1,140,760 1,215,986 6.59%* Secretaries 1,148,417 1,195,780 4.12% Custodians & Maintenance 1,197,966 1,220,369 1.87% TAs, Tutors, Tech Support & Physical/Occupational Therapists 1,956,644 2,104,388 7.55%** Superintendent, Asst. Superintendent, Bus. Manager, Facilities & Technology Directors 732,012 721,794 -1.40% General Fund Total Salaries 18,637,726 19,119,636 2.59% * Administrators’ salaries reported without new contract info in FY20 ** Additional personnel included in FY21

Personnel Budgeted salaries reflect a net increase of 4.49 full time equivalents (FTE). Supporting the 174.8 FTE teachers and 66.2 instructional support personnel (teaching assistants, tutors, occupational and physical therapists) are 45.1 FTE custodians, maintenance staff, secretaries, technology support personnel, and 11.0 FTE administrators including the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principals, Assistant Principals, Director of Pupil Services, and Business Manager. * 1.0 FTE = 1 full-time equivalent staff member.

Small Cap Fund

The

District works closely with the Board of Finance (BOF) to address small capital needs of the school system in excess of $1K through the Capital Equipment/Improvement Fund. A 10-year capital plan guides the purchase of buses, furniture and equipment, technology, building maintenance, and improvement projects. The BOF finances small capital purchases over a five-year period through a low-interest finance package managed by the town.

The BOE Small Capital Improvement Fund appropriation request for FY21 is $950,000. As our buildings age, capital improvements become more substantial. Major small capital expenditures for FY21 include bathroom plumbing fixture replacement at the middle school ($75,000); replacement and upgrade of the generator at Central Service ($100K); water heater replacement at Wells Road Intermediate ($24,000); the purchase of four pre-owned school buses ($240,000);

and zero turn lawnmowers for each of the school campuses ($48,000).

Technology expenditures keep the District on a replacement cycle and ensures servers, wireless access points and computers are within an acceptable and effective useful life. New technology purchases include iPads for the AP Art Program at the high school and a replacement phone system at Wells Road Intermediate School.

Furniture, fixtures and equipment at each of the four schools are included in this budget and support the replacement of rugs and storage units at Kelly Lane, a study of outdoor spaces at Wells Road, replacement fitness equipment, desks and chairs at the middle school, and the replacement of desks and chairs at the high school.

The safety and upkeep of our facilities continues to be a high priority for both the town and the BOE. The flexibility and funding of the small capital fund enables the District to address these priorities according to the plan.

Tuition from other Towns Special Education Reimbursement from other Towns Pay for Participation Fees Building Use and Custodial Fees TOTAL

Grant Revenues

Supplies, Purchased Services & Activities $2,845,897 Bldg. Maint., Legal, 8.9% Insurance & Misc.

Revenue sources received by District initiatives offset education expenditures in the BOF budget.

Quality & Diversity

Other Special Education Costs

State Funds

District-Initiated Revenues

$32,043,750

IDEA – Part B, Section 611 (SPED) IDEA – Part B, Section 619 (SPED Pre-K) Title I: Improving Basic Programs Title II: Teacher Improvement Title III: English Language Acquisition Title IV: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant Open Choice Academic/ Social Support

$600,769 $413,079 $54,000 $14,745 $1,082,593

$366,403 $10,980 $56,978 $26,391 $521 $10,000 $87,125

Open Choice Early Beginnings/ Full Day $45,000 Open Choice Tuition $664,000 Open Choice Bonus $37,000 Tuition – Pre-K $55,986 Summer Drama Tuition $0 Tuition – Summer School $30,356 TOTAL $832,342

Education Cost Sharing (ECS) Adult Education

$5,278,314 $3,535

Special Education - Excess Cost Grants $503,911 TOTAL $5,785,760

‡The calculated excess cost is then reimbursed at a rate based on calculations by the State and usually varies from 70% to 82%. Given the volatility of the State budget, the FY21 projection for the Special Education Excess Cost Grant is based on this formulation and calculated using the latest per pupil information held by the District with a 72% reimbursement rate.

Quality & Diversity Fund

The

Quality & Diversity (Q&D) Fund was established to increase opportunities for all students to interact with teachers, community members and other students from diverse racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds. Funding for this grant is generated primarily by tuition received from the State of Connecticut for students enrolled in the Open Choice Program. The Town of Granby maintains and manages the revenues and expenditures for the Q&D Fund.

Granby has embraced the Open Choice Program since its inception over 40 years ago and has been one of the highest participating districts in the state. Our participation in the program also supports the district’s value that diversity of cultures, abilities and backgrounds is an asset to the district.

Eighty-three K-12 students residing in Hartford are projected to attend Granby schools next year through the Open Choice Program and the District is projected to receive $746K in Open Choice funding. The District receives $12,500 per kindergarten student and $8,000 for each student (Grades 1-12) who participates in the Open Choice Program. It also receives a small bonus allotment for its participation rate. Granby receives an additional $87K in funds from the Open Choice Academic and Social Support Grant. Other sources of Q&D revenues include preschool tuition as well as fees for both academic and enrichment summer school

programs. The Q&D program provides significant benefits to the entire community and Granby taxpayers do not contribute local tax revenues into this fund.

The $982,910 to be appropriated from the FY21 Q&D Fund includes the following spending: 2.8 FTE Social Workers; 4.0 FTE Kindergarten Teaching Assistants; tuition paid to magnet and vocational schools; enrichment club stipends; replacement of 7th and 10th Grade Chromebooks; five iPad Mini carts for Kelly Lane Primary School, summer school; enrichment programs; drama; and, robotics.

The continued work of the Granby Equity Team will be funded through Q&D as well. In order to maintain the balance in the fund, salaries for one Kindergarten Teacher and one Teaching Assistant which were previously funded with Q&D funds have been moved to the FY21 Operating Budget. Funding for at least two of the remaining Teaching Assistants and one of the social workers is forecasted to be transferred to the Operating Budget in upcoming budget cycles.

The Q&D Fund continues to be used to fund programming for all students that cannot be provided in the operating budget. Moving forward, it will be critical that the state continues to meet its legal and ethical responsibility to fund the Open Choice Program through its student participation reimbursement rates to towns.

Thinkers

Collaborators

Hollie Hecht and Jacky Paton on the Chemistry of Art Hollie Hecht (right, in photo) began her career in Granby in 1995 as an art educator. Jacky Paton(left, in photo) joined the faculty of Granby Memorial High School in 1997. Since 2012, these talented educators have collaborated to build the connection that exists between chemistry and art for Granby students, as well as spark curiosity and create lifelong learners.

What started as an enrichment program for upper-level art and chemistry students has morphed into a one-semester elective course, The Chemistry of Art.

instruction by engaging in professional learning opportunities with local artists and building relationships within the surrounding community.

Over the last two years, they have offered nine glass fusing workshops for various groups, made possible with in-depth instruction from Annukka Ritalahti and Mark Gottlieb of Silver Street Glass and funding from the Granby Education Foundation.

Other artists instrumental in the success of this program include Lori Catlin Garcia, Marty Boyer, Dennis Peabody, The Canton School of Jewelry Art, Vicente Garcia of Studio Garcia, Amy Howroyd of Space Dog Scientific/Bristol Technical Education Center, Dr. Richard Kirschbaum of Granby Dental, and Shelby Barnhart of Arc and Hammer.

With a specific focus on ceramics, glass fusion and metal, students discover that chemistry influences the outcome of many phenomena in art.

Depending on the topic instructed and/or the equipment required, students move between the art studio and the science laboratory. The use of visiting artists ensures an authentic learning experience and real-world connections. Hollie and Jacky are passionate about providing the best

In addition to their work with students, Hollie and Jacky bring their work to life for faculty and staff across the district. The Chemistry of Art team continues to offer workshops where faculty and staff can participate in hands-on workshops outside the school day. As dedicated educators and active members of the District STEAM Committee, Hollie and Jacky continue to make interdisciplinary practices a reality that benefit our entire community.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

This

Contributors Connecting Kelly Lane Families and Students with Seesaw

year, Kelly Lane Primary School introduced Seesaw, a social media tool designed to engage and connect students and their families with daily schoolbased learning. Through this tool, we have the ability to share student work, encourage positive peer-topeer feedback, provide teacher to student feedback, and increase daily parent-child communication.

Seesaw provides a safe and secure platform for teachers to easily integrate technology into the curriculum and support technology with rich, authentic experiences for students. It provides a private place to keep students’ assignments and projects. Additionally, students can create a digital learning portfolio that will travel with them from year-to-year. Upon completion of their time at Kelly Lane Primary School, they will have a record of

STEAM Day at Granby Middle School

On

Jan. 31, Granby Memorial Middle School held STEAM Day. Students were immersed in hands-on activities that showed how science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics connect to all subject areas within the school. STEAM education plays an important role at GMMS as we work to build innovative thinkers that are prepared to succeed in an ever-changing world.

While STEAM can be found every day throughout the school, STEAM Day is an opportunity for students to stop and reflect on the future implications of their school experience.

Some activities included using recy-

cled materials to engineer towers and platforms; investigating the chemistry of forensics; exploring the functions of the human lung; coding and programming various creative projects through Scratch and Hour of Code; visiting the WFSB weather van; learning about robotics from our very own Granby Grunts; and, participating in our third annual STEAM Career Fair.

Both high school and middle school robotics teams led different classes on how they work to code robots for competition and how those robotics skills transfer to the outside world.

Mentored by Don “Dr. Flush” Rethke, the GMMS Grunts modeled their two robots which they built and used in FIRST Tech Challenge competitions.

This team, with their robot ‘12123,’ placed ninth in the 2020 Connecticut FTC championship, the best of any middle school team in the competition.

This year’s STEAM Career Fair was the largest yet, drawing representatives from 15 local businesses and organizations. Junior Achievement continues to be an incredible partner to the middle school, providing significant organizational support in making the Career Fair possible. Students were able to see how all of the various opportunities for STEAM education within the Granby Public School system apply to a variety of in-demand jobs and career pathways.

STEAM Day has become a lynchpin event at GMMS and, with growing community engagement, it will continue to be one for years to come.

— By Chuck Hershon

all of their learning and growth.

Utilizing Seesaw engages students and helps them take ownership in their learning while simultaneously building relationships with teachers and peers.

With Seesaw, students can use a variety of digital annotation tools to capture what they know in their portfolio. Seesaw consolidates the best of many applications into one user-friendly tool for students, families and teachers. Whether enhancing instruction or promote learning, Seesaw provides insight into student learning that informs highquality instruction by teachers.

With the Seesaw Parent App, or through the web, parents can view only their own child’s portfolio and other classroom items that a teacher posts to “Everyone.” Families gain a window into their student’s learning and engage with school happenings. Seesaw thus provides a simple and quick way for a teacher to communicate and update each student’s progress with his or her parents. It is an easy way to inform parents of classroom activities and provide more opportunities to participate in their child’s education.

—By Amber Wyzik

Giving hearts at Kelly Lane

Kelly

Lane Primary School has been participating in the Kids Heart Challenge (formerly Jump Rope for Heart) since 2014.

Over the last six years, Kelly Lane has raised over $54,000 to benefit the American Heart Association (AHA).

Kids Heart Challenge is a program to bring awareness of heart health and to collect donations from the community to directly benefit the AHA. According to heart.org, the money raised for the AHA helps to fund lifesaving research, advocate for better health, improve patient care, and reach at-risk populations.

Students learned about the importance of their heart, heart healthy exercises such as jump rope and heart healthy food choices during their physical education classes throughout the month of February.

All K-2 students practiced jump rope skills and set jump rope goals. The students were also introduced to the food groups that make up “My Plate” and students sorted foods to create heart healthy meals.

To wrap up Heart Health month, the gym was transformed into “Heartsville” where students and staff rotated through stations

showing they are physically active and committing to heart health. The stations included an obstacle course, traverse rock-wall, mini trampolines, hopscotch, jump rope, balance activities, basketball, and throwing and catching activities. Kids Heart Challenge was a huge success due to our amazing students, staff and community!

— By Jill Kozieradzki

Superintendent’s Message I

am pleased to submit the FY21 Board of Education Budget. It repJordan E. Grossman, Ed.D. resents a commitment to exSuperintendent cellence and equity to continue to have the Granby Public Schools recognized as one of the finest school districts in the state.

The proposed budget of $32,043,750 represents an increase of 2.92% above the 2019-2020 budget and is below the set budget guideline established by the Granby Board of Finance.

ering their social and emotional wellbeing; maintain class size according to Granby Board of Education guidelines; and, provide a safe and healthy environment.

• Explores opportunities for alternative revenue sources; • Influences local and state educational policy; and, • Recognizes the economic climate, includes efficiencies and is responsive to the financial guidelines set by the Board of Finance.

There are four major budget increase drivers: + 1.77% Base + 0.73% Special Education + 0.25% Q&D to Operating Budget + 0.17% All other line items

The budget was developed around the following Granby Board of Education Budget Goals:

Dr. Grossman reads to Kelly Lane Primary students on Read Across America Day.

I want to thank the entire Granby Community for supporting our school system. Our success would not be possible without all the support and ongoing commitment shown to our students. It is because of the collective efforts of the town that students within the Granby Public Schools are able to start their journey on fulfilling their dreams.

Very truly yours,

The FY21 Budget is a spending plan that is responsive to the needs of the district and will continue to move our incredible district forward. This budget will also continue our commitment to student achievement and excellence; maintain a focus on teaching and learning; continue to extend opportunities to all students consid-

• Provides a rigorous and diverse 21st Century Curriculum; • Invests in the professional capital of the staff; • Promotes positive engagement and communication with the community; GMHS Unified Sports Team

Return on Investment Granby

Comparison of Per Pupil Expenditure (PPE) and Comparison of Per Pupil Expenditure (PPE) and 2019 Students’ SAT Combined Score (Math & ELA) 2019 Students’ SAT Combined Score (Math & ELA) for all CT school districts Lower PPE

Higher PPE

Higher Score

Higher Score

GMHS Girls’ Field Hockey and Soccer teams won the 2019 State Championships.

Highlights of 2019 Student Performance

is receiving an extremely high return on its educational investment with a low cost-per-student expenditure and exemplary student performance.

Rank DRG B Districts NCEP Historically, Granby’s per pupil ex 1 Greenwich 22,222 penditure (PPE) spending has been 2 Madison

20,413 significantly lower than other districts 3 New Fairfield 18,611 in the DRG and in districts across 4 District #5 18,593 5 Fairfield

18,526 Connecticut. This trend continues 6 District #15 18,357 in FY21. In the annual Connecticut 7 Orange

18,063 Public Schools Expenditure Report, 8 Monroe

17,894 9 Guilford

17,872 the Connecticut State Department 10 Newtown

17,789 ranks 166 towns from the highest to 11 Woodbridge 17,784 the lowest Net Current Expenditure 12 Avon

17,516 13 Simsbury

17,450 per Pupil (NCEP). The most recent 14 Glastonbury 17,244 data from FY19 ranks Granby 127 15 Farmington 17,185 out of 166 districts, meaning the Dis 16 West Hartford 17,001 17 Trumbull

16,660 trict spent less on education per pu 18 South Windsor 16,628 pil than 126 (76.51%) other school 19 Cheshire

16,502 districts. For FY19, Granby was the 20 Granby

16,237 21 Brookfield 15,635 second lowest district in the DRG for

Average 17,818 student spending.

R e t u r n o n E d u c a t io n a l In v e s t m e n t

84.8%

76%

GMMS’s Sydney Henry won first place for the 7th grade essay in the DAR’s annual history contest.

State Accountability Index

Graduates with passing scores on AP tests

1123

Combined SAT Reading & Math Average

74

Students were designated AP scholars

The Connecticut Seal of Biliteracy

This Lower PPE Lower Score

0 DRG ® All other CT districts

Higher PPE Lower Score

The graph above plots each of the school districts inAccountability Index Connecticut using the perComparison of Per Pupil Expenditure (PPE) and 2019 centage of students’ SAT combined scores in Math and English Language Arts (vertical axis) and the Net Expenditure Per Pupil for each district (horizontal Lower PPE axis). Shaded circles represent districts in DRG B. Districts plotted higher verHigher PPE tically represent those districts where students performed higher.

Those closer to Higher Score Higher Score the left side of the graph are districts spending less money per student. Granby’s position on the graph is depicted by the large circle. Granby’s per pupil expenditure in 2017-2018 was $15,455. Only two districts in the state had both a lower per pupil expenditure and higher scores (upper-left quadrant) than Granby.

year, GMHS seniors enrolled in Level IV or Advanced Placement French, Spanish or Chinese took the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Language (AAPPL) to earn the Connecticut Seal of Biliteracy. In this first year of its implementation in Granby, 29 students met the eligibility for the Seal, which will be affixed to their diplomas in June. The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes attainment of proficiency in two or more languages before graduation, including English. It encourages students to pursue biliteracy, honors the skills our students attain and can be evi-

dence of skills that are attractive to future employers and college admissions offices. By earning the Seal, students demonstrate their readiness to be 21st Century citizens able to communicate in a multilingual, multicultural world.

The program began in California in 2008 as a way of showing students the tangible benefits of being bilingual and biliterate. Since its inception in 2008, 37 states have adopted the Seal of Biliteracy, although not all districts offer this opportunity. Connecticut adopted the Seal in 2017, and now Granby joins 32 other districts across the state in the program.