Granby Public Schools Vision | Budget Issue April 2023

Operating Budget

$36,155,291

Revenue Sources

District-Initiated Revenues

Grant Revenues

The FY24 Operating Budget is driven by salaries and benefits (73.9%). 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 at www.granbyschools.org

Budgeted Salaries

The FY24 Budget includes the second year’s compensation of a three-year contract for administrators (2023-2025); a third year’s compensation in the teachers’ three-year contract (2021-2024); the second year’s compensation in the secretarial three-year contract (2022-2025); and, a second year’s compensation in the custodial and maintenance four-year contract (2022-2026). The projected increases for all unaffiliated contracts are budgeted in the Salary Contingency account.

Quality & Diversity State Funds

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

Personnel

Budgeted salaries reflect a net increase of 6.97 full-time equivalents (FTE). This includes +3.6 FTEs moved from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) grants; +4.0 FTEs to support the new Post-Secondary Transition Program; and, a reduction of -0.63 FTEs realized through the reduction, addition and redeployment of staff. Supporting the 182.5 FTE teachers and 75.7 instructional support personnel (teaching assistants, tutors, occupational and physical therapists) are 48.4 FTE custodians, maintenance staff, secretaries, technology support personnel, and 11.0 FTE administrators including the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principals, Assistant Principals, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, and Business Manager.

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 10year capital plan guides the purchase of buses, furniture and equipment, technology, building maintenance, and improvement projects.

The BOE Small Capital Improvement Fund appropriation request for FY24 is $1,000,000. This year, the District will retire four 77-passenger buses and purchase one pre-owned replacement vehicle, bringing our active fleet to 16 buses. In addition, the plan calls for the purchase of one trailer as well as custodial equipment including floor scrubbers, burnishers, buffers, and a commercial washer.

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. Additional replacement technology purchases include interactive

digital display at the middle school and high school and districtwide security cameras.

Furniture, fixtures and equipment at each of the four schools are included in this budget; as well as support for the athletic program, musical instruments, and replacement of classroom equipment.

Building maintenance and improvement funding includes the opportunity to complete the Culinary Arts Classroom at the high school, replacement of fire doors, middle school kitchen refurbishing and an expansion of the badging system at Kelly Lane.

The Small Capital Fund also allows the District to address emergency repairs, roof repairs, district-wide painting, and systematic repair and replacement of catch basins.

The safety and upkeep of our facilities continues to be a high priority for 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.

Federal and State grant awards 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 expenditures. Information on FY24 grant amounts is not yet available and is subject to change based on State and Federal budgets.

Entitlement funds received by the town go 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. ‡

‡The calculated excess cost is then reimbursed at a rate based on calculations by the State.The rate for FY24 has been budgeted at 88% reimbursement, although the amount will vary depending on appropriation levels, reimbursements throughout the State, and the amount of actual qualifying expenditures.

Student Enrollment & Class Size

istrict enrollment is projected to decline steadily over the next 5 years. By FY28, enrollment is projected to decrease by 101 students(5.8%). PK-12 district enrollment of 1,733 in FY24 reflects an increase of 8 students from FY23.

Projects Around the District

Granby Public Schools is happy to provide an update to the building projects around the district. The District is happy to report that the updated space at the high school is complete. It included a new kitchen and instrumental classroom, an updated choral classroom, and a vocational technology classroom. Practice rooms and storage areas have also been reconfigured and modernized as part of this project.

The Culinary Arts classroom is almost ready for occupancy with the hope of completion, through small capital funding, in the next year. A ribbon cutting event was held in December 2022 and was well attended.

Next up at the high school is the longawaited roof replacement project. The District hopes to go out to bid for a contractor by the end of March. Because the project will need to be completed during the summer months

while students are not on campus or in the buildings, the District hopes to begin work on June 15, 2023 and be substantially complete by August 18, 2023. All of the high school buildings will be closed to the public during this time.

Many thanks to the School Projects Building Committee as well as Town of Granby staff and Town leaders for working so closely with the Board of Education to see these projects through to completion. The success of these projects relies heavily on teamwork and collaboration!

The Facilities Department continues to work diligently to continue keeping our campuses safe and improving the facilities as required. Summer planning is in full swing! Granby Public Schools will continue to communicate regarding any projects that may affect the availability of the buildings and grounds in the near future.

GMHS is proud of the work students are doing this year to help live out our Vision of the Graduate and make positive contributions to our wider community, especially through two special new programs. Last year, the Connecticut State Department of Education sponsored a state-wide contest for student initiatives to improve schools and communities called Voice4Change. Granby Memorial High School was very proud to have

not just one but two initiatives selected by the State for this grant! This year both initiatives are being implemented.

The first initiative was proposed by current GMHS senior Kylie Coxon and is called “High School, Here We Come!” Kylie designed her proposal to establish a better way to connect 8th graders with high school student mentors in order to ease the transition to high school. The pro-

Kindness Matters @ Wells Road

Kindness Matters has been a Wells Road Intermediate School motto for more than a decade. Kindness is promoted in everything done at Wells Road. Students and staff even have t-shirts! Recently, a wall was transformed into a huge mural that says, “Kindness Matters!”

This is the second mural completed by Christopher Gann. Mr. Gann is part of the creative team for an organization called RiseUP for Arts. RiseUP for Arts is a nonprofit aimed at creating public art that is inclusive and accessible to anyone.

Initially, RiseUP was founded in 2012 as a youth development and mentoring program. Its goal was aimed to help youth develop the skills needed to uplift communities. Since 2015, RiseUP for Arts has created public art throughout Connecticut. At this time, RiseUP for Arts is Connecticut’s only state-wide public art nonprofit.

Our first mural, completed by Mr. Gann last April, focused the four tenants at Wells Road. Every day, students are reminded to make “responsible, respectful, safe, and kind” choices. This mural also includes a nod to our students who do not reside in Granby and this painting brings the school community together. This year, staff and students at Wells Road were excited that Christopher Gann was able to return. The school community wanted to have a welcoming visual of how they want to feel as well as how they want others to feel when entering the building; therefore, the mural not only represents the motto of Wells Road Intermediate School but also spotlights community and diversity.

GMMS Promotes Digital Literacy

At Granby Memorial Middle School, students in Grades 6 and 7 are offered lessons in computer and digital literacy using practical soft skills for life and work. For the past 3 years, a course called Digital Media has been offered to Sixth Graders, and new this year for Seventh Grade is a course called Innovative Technologies. GMMS believes their students deserve to have access to the tools and digital skills that will set them up for success today and in the future. Digital literacy, problem-solving and creativity are often cited as essential skills for jobs of the future which is what these classes offer.

In Digital Media, students complete fun creative projects as an effective way to learn advanced app features

gram launched with a first meeting at Granby Memorial Middle School last month, and is gearing up to plan transition activities for this spring and fall. Thanks to Kylie and to high school Science Teacher Mr. Steven Roes who is serving as the advisor to both Voice4Change initiatives.

The second initiative, called “Food for Thought,” was the brainchild of 2022 GMHS graduate Maeve Dingley, who had worked with high school teachers on ways to address, often under the radar, food insecurity among students and families. The program includes

several steps, including a weekend backpack program, and meals and healthy snacks for students who have to stay late at school. Thanks again to Mr. Roes, who has also been working with the staff of Fresh Picks, our food service provider, and Gifts of Love, a nonprofit which aims, in part, to fight childhood hunger throughout the greater Hartford region.

Unified Sports @ Kelly Lane

In the fall of 2022, a team of teachers came together to bring Unified Sports to Kelly Lane. Unified Sports provides opportunities for children with disabilities to access sports and sportsmanship by providing opportunities to develop physical fitness, develop skills and courage and, most importantly, experience joy as every participant shares their own special gifts with the community. Fifteen teacher volunteers meet monthly with a group of 41 students from Grades K-2. Players and Partners engage in experiences and activities that build collaboration and teamwork through the focus on a monthly goal. These

mote teamwork, turn taking, cheering one another on, and celebrations. With the support of adults to model conversations, the hope is that the peer relationships continue to grow outside of the hour and transfer into the classroom, onto the playground and throughout the school day. In May 2023, the Players, Partners and Coaches will come together in a culminating event in which families will be invited to participate. We hope

and digital skills. These lessons include creating interactive presenta-

tions, stories and maps using Google Slides; creating pixel art projects and a battleship-type game using conditional formatting in Google Sheets; and, designing a website with Google Sites.This course also offers students the opportunity to try block coding and learn basic computer science skills, as well as beginner video creation and editing skills.

The Innovative Technologies course builds on the skills learned in Digital Media and adds the components of STEAM into lessons. Students in this course are learning important skills like how to design, plan, build, test, and improve. Currently, students are using the newly acquired Minecraft EDU in combination with various screen recording and video editing programs to create a “YouTube” type video tutorial.

goals embrace sportsmanship and support for one another, which builds upon the Kelly Lane school values. The activities provide opportunities that grow peer relationships and pro-

On Stage

to continue to expand the Unified Sports Program to encourage even more participation. At Kelly Lane Primary School, we take care of each other and the initiation and continuation of the Unified Sports Program is a true emulation of this value.

Scenes from Little Shop of Horrors, the GMHS Dramatic Arts spring musical. The show featured a cast and crew of more than 40 students and filled the house at each of the three shows performed.

I am pleased to submit the revised Granby Board of Education Budget.

The budget was developed to support the Granby Public Schools Moving Forward Together Strategic Plan: 20212025 with the following goals:

FY24 Appropriation Request

This budget represents a commitment to excellence for the continued recognition of the Granby Public Schools as one of the finest school districts in the state. The proposed budget of $36,155,291 represents an increase of 5.08% above the FY22-23 budget. In FY24, our financial challenges include the rising cost of utilities, the transfer of costs from the ESSER Grant to the Operating Budget, as well as the increase in expenses for special education; however, the District staff has worked diligently to realize efficiencies wherever possible while continuing to move the District toward the achievement of the vision of a Granby Public School graduate for every student. New in FY24, Granby Public Schools will offer a Post-Secondary Transition Program for 18- to 22-year-old students at a projected cost savings of $127K to the district.

Jordan E. Grossman, Ed.D. Superintendent

Student Learning and Achievement: Improve student achievement, academic performance and opportunity at all grade levels and for all ability levels and decrease achievement gaps on the path to college and career readiness.

Community Engagement: Enhance communication and build trusting relationships with all stakeholders.

Safety and Social Emotional Well-Being: Foster a safe and positive social emotional environment for everyone.

Budget Development and Fiscal Management: Practice responsible budget development and management through transparency and maximize available financial resources through a balance of fiscal discipline and innovative educational investments.

Embracing Diversity: Adopt and promote strong instructional, curricular and leadership practices that embrace and advance knowledge and acceptance of human diversity and that eliminate bias.

Return on Investment

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

Historically, Granby’s per pupil expenditure (PPE) spending is significantly lower than other districts in the DRG and in districts across the state. In the annual Connecticut Public Schools Expenditure Report, the Connecticut State Department ranks 166 towns from the highest to the lowest Net Current Expenditure per Pupil (NCEP). The most recent data from FY22 ranks Granby 47 out of 166 districts, meaning the District spent less on education per pupil than 119

Wells Road students recognized for Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Essay Contest at a ceremony in Simsbury.

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Professional Learning: Develop the instructional skills and strategies of our teaching staff through ongoing, meaningful and systemic professional learning opportunities. There are five major budget drivers:

+2.66% Base

+2.11% Special Education

+0.50% All other line items

-0.21% Retirement Savings

+0.02% ESSER Grants

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 for all students;

• 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;

• continue to focus on our Anti-Bias and Anti-Racism Action Plan;

• recruit and retain the most effective staff that is representative of our school community;

• 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 of 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 to fulfilling their dreams.

Sincerely,

Jordan E. Grossman, Ed.D. Superintendent

The graph above plots each of the school districts in Connecticut using the percentage of students’ SAT average total scores in Math and English Language Arts (vertical axis) and the Net Expenditure Per Pupil for each district (horizontal axis). Square plots on the graph represent districts in DRG B. Districts plotted higher vertically represent those districts where students performed higher. Those closer to 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 2021-2022 was $18,897. There are eight (8) districts in the state that had both a lower per pupil expenditure and higher scores (upper-left quadrant) than Granby. Granby continues to receive an extremely high return on its educational investment.

Granby B.E.A.R Post-Secondary Transition Academy

ew in FY24, Granby Public Schools will offer a post-secondary transition program for 18- to 22-year-old students to maximize student potential by focusing on student strengths, interests and preferences. The Granby B.E.A.R. (Bringing Emerging Adults Resources) Transition Academy will support individuals with developmental disabilities in preparation for a successful and fulfilling life after high school. Granby Public Schools will maintain partnerships with community resources,

Nbusinesses and community colleges to promote local and community-based experiences, positive social relationships and independent living skills. Programming will include functional academic instruction, related services, vocational/employment skills, community experiences, and daily living skills.

This program will be located at the Farmington Valley YMCA which will allow students to be fully immersed in their local community. An anticipated savings of $127K is projected by providing this valuable program to our students and will offer an alternative to outof-district placements for 18- to 22-year-old students.

Comparison of Per Pupil Expenditure (PPE) and 2021 Students’ SAT Combined Score (Math & ELA) for all CT school districts

(72%) other school districts. In FY22, Granby was just below the average of DRG (B) for student spending.

to R: Joy Cloukey (ELA Teacher); Avery Pradhan (moving on to the National DAR Competition); Michaela Ashe (3rd place winner); and Kristen LaFlamme (ELA Teacher).

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Students tested in a total of 351 AP exams