May 5, 2025 - Board of Education Budget Presentation to the RTM

Ignite new Learning.

WATERFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Engage in the FY 26 Board of Education Approved Budget

possibilities.

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.

Rigorous Academic Program

Comprehensive SocialEmotional Learning Approach

Expansive Arts, Co-Curricular & Athletics Programs

High Quality Professional Learning for Staff

CT Best Places to Live

Ignite new Learning.

The town's overall Niche grade was listed as "A-" and it also received an "A-" level grade for its public schools and being good for families. https://patch.com/connecticut/waterford/waterford-named-one-top-100-places-live-ct-2025-rankings

Engage in the possibilities.

WPS – On the Map! • Focus on Youth Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (YMPI) at WHS. • 33 WHS Students passed the Seal of Biliteracy test: representing the languages of French, Latin, and Spanish.

• 16 WHS students auditioned and were selected to perform in the CT Eastern Region Music Festival.

• QH custodian was named a top 3 finalist for the CINTAS National Custodian of the Year contest.

• GN fourth grade student selected as a County Winner of Fire Prevention Poster Contest with artwork included in the Fire Prevention State Calendar.

Ignite new Learning.

• OSW visited by UCONN’s NEAG Early Childhood Leadership Cohort as an example of effective early childhood practices.

• QH STEAM Lab (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, and Math) provided students weekly, assured experiences in STEAM.

• 54 WHS students were recognized as College Board Advanced Placement Scholars: 30 AP Scholars, 9 AP Scholars with Honor and 15 AP Scholars with Distinction.

• 32 CLMS students were accepted into the Junior World Language Honor Societies for French, Spanish, and Latin.

• 1 WHS teacher received Fund for Teachers Fellowship Grant.

Engage in the possibilities.

Core Concept of Continuous Improvement Theory of Action

Assess Current Conditions

Develop a Vision of Success

Close the Gap: Strategic Plan With Specific Actions

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

Student Performance Results

Ignite new Learning. Engage in the possibilities.

Spring 2024 State Assessments ➢ High School SAT Math Performance – Level (Up 10+% last year) ➢ High School Math Average Score – Up (11 Points) ➢ High School SAT ELA Performance – Up Slightly (~ 2%) ➢ High School ELA Average Score – Up (8 Points) ➢ Grades 3-8 Math Performance – Up (~ 3%) ➢ Grades 3-8 Math Growth - Up in Growth Rate and % of Target Achieved ➢ Grades 3-8 ELA Performance – Level ➢ Grades 3-8 ELA Growth – Up in Growth Rate and % of Target Achieved ➢ District (Gr. 5, 8, 11) Science Performance – Slight Dip (2.75% = ~15 Students)

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

Next Generation Accountability Index THE DISTRICT REPORT CARD 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 Performance in Math, Language Arts, Science ➢State Assessments Growth in Math, Language Arts, Science ➢English Proficiency for Non-English Speaking Students ➢Chronic Absenteeism ➢College and Career Readiness as measured by AP & ECE courses ➢On-track to Graduation Rates ➢Graduation Rates – 4-year and 6-year ➢Postsecondary Entrance ➢Physical Fitness ➢Arts

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

Next Generation Index Spring 2024 Indicator 1a. ELA Performance Index - All Students 1b. ELA Performance Index - High Needs Students 1c. Math Performance Index - All Students 1d. Math Performance Index - High Needs Students 1e. Science Performance Index - All Students 1f. Science Performance Index - High Needs Students 2a. ELA Academic Growth - All Students 2b. ELA Academic Growth - High Needs Students 2c. Math Academic Growth - All Students 2d. Math Academic Growth - High Needs Students 2e. Progress Toward English Proficiency - Literacy 2f. Progress Toward English Proficiency - Oral 4a. Chronic Absenteeism - All Students 4b. Chronic Absenteeism - High Needs Students 5. Preparation for CCR - Percent Taking Courses 6. Preparation for CCR - Percent Passing Exams 7. On-track to High School Graduation 8. 4-year Graduation: All Students 9. 6-year Graduation: High Needs Students 10. Postsecondary Entrance 11. Physical Fitness (estimated participation rate = 93.6%) 12. Arts Access Accountability Index

Spring 23 68.1 59.2 65.9 56.6 68.1 59.3 50.3% 43.5% 59.1% 52.6% 66.1% 60.1% 13.9% 21.2% 95.9% 52.7% 94.1% 93.9% 82.0% 71.1% 48.4% 51.1% 73.2

Spring 24 68.1 59.8 67.3 58.5 67.5 57.5 55.7% 54.6% 61.5% 58.5% 81.4% 63.4% 9.4% 14.2% 97.8% 59.4% 91.8% 89.4% 89.9% 74.3% 57.4% 50.6% 78.4

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

Return on Investment (ROI) Student Performance vs. $ Spend

Ignite new Learning. Engage in the possibilities.

ROI – Waterford Excels…

• Above the State-Average Accountability Index Performance • Below State-Average Spending

Waterford – Top 25% of all Districts in CT Dollars Spent per Pupil VS. Each Point on the Accountability Index

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

Districts 79th to 119th on Spending 100

Waterford – 99th

Average PPE

95

90

Ignite new Learning.

85

80

Average Index Score

75

70

65

60

Engage in the possibilities.

55

50 15000

17000

19000

21000

23000

25000

27000

29000

31000

33000

35000

Districts 28%-38% Free/Reduced Meals 100

95

Waterford – 33%

Average PPE

90

Ignite new Learning.

85

80

Average Index Score

75

70

65

60

Engage in the possibilities.

55

50 15000

17000

19000

21000

23000

25000

27000

29000

31000

33000

35000

New London County 100

95

Average PPE

Waterford

90

Ignite new Learning.

85

80

Average Index Score

75

70

65

60

Engage in the possibilities.

55

50 15000

17000

19000

21000

23000

25000

27000

29000

31000

33000

35000

2023 CT School Finance Groups • Income - Median Household Income • Education - Percentage of parents with a bachelor’s degree or higher • Occupation - Percentage of students with parents aged 16 or older, employed, and holding jobs in executive, managerial, and professional specialty occupations • Family Structure - Percentage of students living with families without a wife or husband present or in nonfamily households • Poverty - Percentage of students from families with incomes eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals • Home Language - Percentage of students whose families speak a language other than English at home • District Enrollment - Gross enrollment for the local public school district

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

District Group D – 26 Districts • Berlin • Bethel • Branford • Clinton • Coventry • Cromwell • East Haddam • Enfield • Hamden • Ledyard • Mansfield • Milford • New Milford

• Newington • North Branford • Old Saybrook • Region 4 • Region 12 • Region 16 • Region 19 • Seymour • Shelton • Wallingford • Waterford • Watertown • Windsor

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

Group D Districts 100

Average PPE

Waterford 95

90

Ignite new Learning.

85

80

Average Index Score

75

70

65

60

Engage in the possibilities.

55

50 15000

17000

19000

21000

23000

25000

27000

29000

31000

33000

35000

ROI – Waterford Excels…

• Above the State-Average Accountability Index Performance • Below State-Average Spending

Waterford – Top 25% of all Districts in CT Dollars Spent per Pupil VS. Each Point on the Accountability Index

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

WPS responds…

This budget continues our investment in meeting the needs of our students in 2025-2026…

AND TO KEEP EXCELLING! Ignite new Learning. Engage in the possibilities.

Trends IN THE WPS

We continue to change.

Ignite new Learning. Engage in the possibilities.

Total Enrollment 2535

2519

2469 2367

2348

2366

2358

2295

2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

Ten-Year Trend by Race & Ethnicity

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

Multilingual Learners (ML) 130

139

113

Ignite new Learning.

87 75 62

64

37

2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25

Engage in the possibilities.

Languages in our Schools – 2024-2025 23 different languages

Albanian Arabic Bulgarian Burmese Cantonese Greek Gujarati Hindi

Japanese Khmer Korean Lao Mandarin - #3 Nepali Polish Portuguese - #4

Russian Spanish - #1 Tagalog Thai Tibetan Ukrainian Urdu - #2

Over 11% of our families have a primary home language other than English.

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

New Bilingual Programs Great Neck 24-25 & Oswegatchie in 25-26 20 or more students with same native language There are 60 districts in CT that have bilingual programs.

What this means for WPS: • Instruction in English as well as student’s native language • Enable students to achieve English proficiency and academic mastery • Use of English should continuously increase • Annual plan submitted to CSDE • Additional professional development for all teachers • Potential staffing implications

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

Special Education Students

440

438

430

426 413

Ignite new Learning.

400 389

394

2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25

Engage in the possibilities.

Free / Reduced Meals

734

769 648

639

663

707

745

Ignite new Learning.

502

2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25

Engage in the possibilities.

ABSENTEEISM TREND DATA 13.9% 12.1% 10.8%

9.4%

9.1%

Ignite new Learning.

6.1%

Chronic Absenteeism %

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

Source: CSDE, EdSight Public

Chronic = more than 10% absent

Engage in the possibilities.

WPS School-Based Health Clinics 1562 visits through 3/31/25

13% increase in visits over last year

2024-2025 Year to Date Totals Clark Lane Behavioral 527 Clark Lane Medical Waterford Behavioral

334

Waterford Medical

167

Ignite new Learning.

534

1872 visits all of last year.

Engage in the possibilities.

Why is this data important?

Board Goals: Be a district for all students…

Ignite new Learning.

It takes resources to do this.

Engage in the possibilities.

THE

BUDGET Ignite new Learning. Engage in the possibilities.

GRANTS Grant

$214,000 Total in FY25

Amount

Grant

Amount

Grant

Amount

$8,000

Flanagan Grant (OSW)

$750

Pfizer Grant (WHS)

$1,500

$5,500

Fulbright Hayes (WHS)

$10,000

Chelsea Savings Grant (Avery Point)

$500

Fund for Teachers (WHS)

$5,000

CT Donors Choose (GN)

$5,000

CT Donors Choose (OSW)

$15,000

CT Donors Choose (QH)

$13,000

E-Rate Program (IT Department)

$73,638

Every Child Art Experience (WHS)

$2,500

FAFSA Grant (WHS)

$2,530

ARPA - Para Educational Professional Development (District) ARPA FAFSA Grant (District)

Global Partners Grant (WHS) Mohegan Challenge Grant (GN) Mohegan Sun Grant (CLMS) National Endowment for Humanities (WHS) Navy STEM SeaPerch program (WHS) Perkins (WHS/CLMS)

$500 $500 $1,500 $1,300 $1,015 $27,673

PTA Technology Grant (QH) Ready, Tech, Go AT&T Grant (QH) Sea Grant Program (WHS) SERC Grant (WHS)

State Bilingual Grant (District) Teachers on the Estuary TOTE (WHS) Title IV (District)

$4,231 $1,250

Ignite new Learning.

$5,000 $500 $2,216 $400 $24,817

Engage in the possibilities.

COMPETITIVE GRANTS $875K in Grants in Last 6 Years FISCAL YEAR

$ GRANTS OBTAINED

FY 20

$ 170,466

FY 21*

$ 82,493

FY 22 *

$ 72,564

FY 23

$160,000

FY 24

$175,000

FY 25

$214,000

REDUCES OUR BUDGET REQUEST * DECREASE DUE TO COVID-19

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

COST CONTAINMENT ➢ CONTINUE TO PURSUE COMPETITIVE GRANTS - $214,000 IN FY25 ➢ AGGRESSIVE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING – TOTAL RESTRUCTURE OF WFCT WAGE SCALE – CONSISTENTLY BELOW TREND IN SETTLEMENTS ➢ ELIMINATED OUT-OF-TOWN MAGNET TRANSPORTATION ➢ REDUCED IN-TOWN BUS RUNS ➢ TERMINATED TFS AGREEMENT & CREATED OUR OWN IN-DISTRICT PREK PROGRAM

Ignite new Learning.

➢ 38% REDUCTION IN STUDENTS ATTENDING MAGNET SCHOOLS (FY16 TO FY24) ➢ ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS ➢ REDUCTION OF STAFF WITH ENROLLMENT TRENDS ➢ REDEPLOYMENT OF STAFF TO AREAS OF HIGHER NEED ➢ REDUCED SERVICES / PROGRAMS – I.E. - TAG PROGRAM; INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES ➢ UTILIZE OUR OWN VAN FLEET TO REDUCE TRANSPORTATION COSTS ➢ IMPLEMENTED PARTNERSHIPS WITH K-8 DISTRICTS TO ATTEND WHS ➢ INCREASED IN-DISTRICT SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO REDUCE COSTS

Engage in the possibilities.

MILL RATE FOR EDUCATION

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

The Last Decade Waterford 2015 - 2025 40% 35% 30%

Ignite new Learning.

25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% -5%

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

-10%

CPI

Certified Wages

Budget

Headcount

Engage in the possibilities.

Proposed Budget

99% of the increase for next year is:

Ignite new Learning.

➢ Salary Increases ➢ Health Insurance ➢ Chromebook Replacements 1% of the increase is everything else in the budget.

Engage in the possibilities.

Main Budget Drivers $ Increase

% Increase to Overall Budget

Chromebooks Replacement Cycle Total

$ 1.82M $ 716K $ 197K $ 2.96M

3.16 % 1.26 % 0.34 % 4.76 %

Everything Else

$ 12K

0.02 %

Salary & Compensation Benefits (Health Insurance)

4.78%

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES Accounts

$ Increase/Decrease

111 – Salaries, Certified

$ 992,553

121 – Temporary Pay, Certified

$ 333,266 TOTAL $ 1,325,819

• 111 - Contractual Increases for Certified Staff • Reduction of 2 FTEs at WHS to fund 2 Multilingual FTEs • Additional .25 FTE in World Language CLMS ($25K) • replacement higher than retirement - in place in FY25 • $75K – 2 x Multilingual Tutors • 121 - Align Substitute Teacher Line to Actuals / Trend - $183K

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

SUPPORT SERVICES Accounts

$ Increase/Decrease

112 – Salaries, Support

$ 473,695

119 – Salaries, Other

( $ 22,892 )

122 – Temporary Pay, Support

$ 40,355

132 – Overtime, Support

$ 5,145 TOTAL $ 496,303

• • • •

Ignite new Learning.

No New Staff 112 - Contractual Increases for all Support Staff 119 – Less Student Vocational Workers next year 122 & 132 – Based on trend / actuals Engage in the possibilities.

Salary Increase Breakdown Total FY25 Budget

32,793,128

GWI

1,053,215

Step / Lane / Degree Changes Turnover

359,502 64,500

New Positions

100,000

Change in Grants

( 50,968 )

FY26 Budget

34,319,377

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS $ Increase/Decrease

Accounts

212 – Health Insurance

$ 671,467

215 / 219 – Life Insurance & LTD

$ 2,300

220 – FICA, Employer’s Contribution

$ 138,223

240 – Reimbursements

$ 600

250 – Unemployment Comp

$0

260 – Workers’ Comp

$ 19,461

290 – Unused Sick Leave

( $ 93,200 )

291 – Retirement Incentive

( $ 15,000 )

Ignite new Learning.

TOTAL $ 723,851

• • • •

212 - Health Increase based on Rates Workers’ Comp, Life and Long-Term Disability – Rate & Contractual 220 - FICA – Reflects Employee Headcount 290 & 291 – Contractual – Reflects Lower Number of Retirees

Engage in the possibilities.

CONTRACTED SERVICES Accounts

$ Increase/Decrease

321 – Instructional Service – Contracted

$ 2,741

322 – Professional Development

( $ 50 )

323 – Curriculum Development

$ 5,000

330 – Other Prof/Technical Services 331 – Legal Services

( $ 192,141 ) $ 15,000

Ignite new Learning.

TOTAL ( $ 169,450 ) • 330 – Savings due to shift in Health Services brought in-house • 331 – Three (3) union negotiations in FY26

Engage in the possibilities.

TRANSPORTATION Accounts

$ Increase/Decrease

510 – Transportation, Pupil

$ 137,182

627 – Transportation Supplies

( $ 16,426 ) TOTAL $ 120,756

Ignite new Learning.

• 510 – New Bus Contract in FY26 (Year 1 of 5) • 627 - Diesel and Fuel – Market Rates

Engage in the possibilities.

INSURANCE Accounts

$ Increase/Decrease

520 – Fire/Property Insurance

$ 50,079

521 – Liability Insurance

$ 25,309

529 – Other Insurance

$ 915 TOTAL $ 76,303

Ignite new Learning.

• Rate Driven

Engage in the possibilities.

COMMUNICATIONS Accounts

$ Increase/Decrease

530 – Communications

$ 2,640

531 – Postage

( $ 1,189 )

540 – Advertising

( $ 3,000 )

TOTAL ( $ 1,549 )

Ignite new Learning.

• 530 – Rate Driven • 531 & 540 – Aligned to Trend

Engage in the possibilities.

TUITION Accounts

$ Increase/Decrease

560 – Tuition, Other Public

( $ 39,688 )

563 – Tuition, Private

( $ 245,271 ) TOTAL ( $ 284,959 )

Ignite new Learning.

• 560 & 563 – Based on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

Engage in the possibilities.

OTHER PURCHASED SERVICES Accounts

$ Increase/Decrease

580 – Travel and Conferences

$ 17,749

590 – Contracted Services

$ 2,082 TOTAL $ 19,831

Ignite new Learning.

• 580 – Contractual Rate Increase on Athletics Travel • 580 – Trend on Usage and Increased Costs to Attend Workshops • 590 – Rate Increases

Engage in the possibilities.

INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPLIES Accounts

$ Increase/Decrease

440 – Rentals

( $ 2,500 )

611 – Instructional Supplies

$ 31,198

612 – Software

$ 69,241 TOTAL $ 97,939

• 611 – Instructional Supplies – Cut Many Requests o Inflation o Food Costs for Culinary Program - $12K o TAG Testing Materials - $4K • 612 – Software – Primarily Product Rate Increases & Long-term Renewals o Reduced – ( $34K ) o Long-term Renewals – ( $6K ) o Rate Increases on Existing Products - $61K o New / Replacement Products - $49K

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

OPERATION & MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS Accounts

$ Increase/Decrease

410 – Water Service

$ 3,130

411 – Sewer Service

$ 6,271

430 – Maintenance & Repair

( $ 1,023 )

613 – Maintenance Supplies

$ 109,350

620 – Fuel Oil

( $ 373 )

621 – Electricity

$ 82,361

622 – Natural Gas

( $ 45,900 )

623 – Propane

Ignite new Learning.

$0 TOTAL $ 153,816

• • • •

410 & 411 – Water / Sewer – Usage & Rate 613 – Maintenance – Trend, Actuals & Inflation 621, & 623 – Electricity and Propane – Primarily Rate 622 – Natural Gas – Usage and Rate

Engage in the possibilities.

TEXTBOOKS/LIBRARY BOOKS/OTHER SUPPLIES Accounts

$ Increase/Decrease

641 – Textbooks

$ 500

642 – Library Books and Periodicals

$ 6,569

690 – Other Supplies/Materials

( $ 13,855 ) TOTAL ( $ 6,786 )

Ignite new Learning.

• 642 – Minor Increases to Support Non-Fiction and Multilingual Collection o Requests for more denied due to budget constraints • 690 – Increase in Athletic Officials / Referees Fees • 690 – Approx. $10K Budgeted for Vape Detection Pilot at WHS & CLMS

Engage in the possibilities.

EQUIPMENT Accounts 730 – Equipment

$ Increase/Decrease $ 208,062 TOTAL $ 208,062

• Asked to move Chromebooks from Capital back to Operating - $197K • Replacement for End-of-Life Diving Board - $42K • WHS CTE Program - $26K • Begin Replacing Cooking Equipment • Moving from Residential to Commercial Model • Materials to support Manufacturing Program • Part of Career Pathways work at WHS

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

DUES & FEES Accounts 810 – Dues & Fees

$ Increase/Decrease ( $ 4,778 )

TOTAL ( $ 4,778 )

Ignite new Learning.

• Rate Driven • Eliminated one item

Engage in the possibilities.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

PRIDE IN OUR STUDENTS,TEAM & COMMUNITY

Ignite new Learning.

Engage in the possibilities.

THANK YOU! Thank you for believing in our staff, students and families of Waterford.

Ignite new Learning.

Your continued support will help us to provide exceptional programs for our students, preparing them for success and the best opportunity at a better life.

Engage in the possibilities.