Following the initial presentation of the Superintendent’s Requested Operational Budget Plan for 2022-23 to the Board of Education on January 18, board members heard from all of Newtown’s public school principals on their individual budget requests.

The school presentations continued at a January 20 meeting, with Newtown High School Principal Dr Kimberly Longobucco offering an overview of her budget proposal.

As presented by Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue the proposed total 2022-23 spending package is $83,161,076, which represents a 4.35% increase from 2021-22.

Newtown’s elementary school principals offered insight into their school budgets following Rodrigue’s presentation.

Hawley Elementary School Principal Christopher Moretti said that while each of the elementary schools are unique, the principals work collaboratively and value every Newtown student having a similar experience.

Combined, according to the Superintendent’s Requested Operational Budget Plan 2022-23, the four elementary schools requested budget is $12,522,186, a 7.4% increase from the current budget.

Elementary Schools

While the Hawley building is planned to be under construction for the 2022-23 school year, the school’s students and staff are anticipated to be housed at both Sandy Hook Elementary School and Reed Intermediate School during the project.

Hawley’s requested budget is $2,849,204, a 7.41% increase from the current spending year. Moretti said plans for next year include using assessment data to create targeted instruction and intervention for students. Hawley has 301 students this year and is projected to have 314 students enrolled next year.

At Sandy Hook Elementary School, as Principal Dr Kathy Gombos explained, some updates include support for bullying lessons and professional development for educators. The school has 372 students enrolled this year and is expected to have 399 students next year. Sandy Hook’s requested budget is $3,340,243, a 6.24% increase from the current budget.

Middle Gate Elementary is projected to have 420 students next school year, an increase of just over 30 students from this year. Middle Gate Principal Christopher Geissler spoke about how the entire school community works together to educate students. Middle Gate’s requested 2022-23 budget is $3,308.025, a 7.43% increase from this year.

Head O’ Meadow Elementary School has 313 students enrolled this year and is projected to have 317 students next year. Principal Tim Napolitano reflected that teachers have been doing “an amazing job throughout the pandemic.” The school’s PTA has also helped with many activities, as has the Safe School Climate Committee. He said his school community is looking forward to more opportunities next year and to “bringing joy to classrooms.” Head O’ Meadow’s requested budget is $3,024,227, an 8.68% increase from this year.

Intermediate And Middle Schools

Reed Intermediate School currently has 578 students enrolled and it is projected to have 568 students next year. Principal Dr Matt Correia said he asked his school’s staff to think about what is best for students when drafting budget requests and plans for the next year.

“We really strive to do the best for kids,” said Correia.

Reed’s requested budget is $4,710,780, a 3.05% increase from this year.

Newtown Middle School (NMS) Principal Thomas Einhorn shared an overview of how the master schedule, from last year, has worked and he spoke about how a student survey helped inform the school for some course decisions for next year.

NMS has 582 students this year and is projected to have 600 students next year. The school’s requested budget is $5,126,588, a 3.91% increase.

At the following BOE meeting, NHS (Newtown High School) Principal Dr Kimberly Longobucco offered an overview of her school’s budget and NHS Athletic Director Matt Memoli shared insight into his portion of the budget.

“I think it is an amazing place, and I’d like to invite you to learn about some of the things we have to offer,” Longobucco said of NHS near the start of discussing the budget.

She highlighted that having all students complete Capstone Projects is a point of pride at NHS this year.

NHS has 1,399 students currently enrolled, and it is projected to have 1,331 students next year. The requested budget is $12,468,027, a .96% increase.

The Board of Education continued inspecting other areas of the requested budget at its January 20 and 25 meetings. A public hearing on the budget was held on January 27.

Education Reporter Eliza Hallabeck can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.