While the Board of Education’s 2020-21 budget projection “improved,” a negative balance is still projected.

As presented by Director of Business & Finance Tanja Vadas at the school board’s virtual April 20 meeting, the monthly report shared, “The overall projected year-end balance has improved by $74,294, now showing a balance of (negative) $13,128.”

While sharing an overview of the monthly report, Vadas spoke about the salaries and other purchased services accounts and offered fund updates on special education, the anticipated excess cost grant, and the district’s food service.

Vadas pointed to the salary account as being the primary impactor for the improved projected year-end balance.

“We had anticipated hiring three temporary teaching positions that have now been removed, as we don’t anticipate filling these positions before year-end,” Vadas said, regarding some of the changes in the projected balance.

The March financial report is the ninth report of the year.

Regarding the excess cost grant, which reimburses some special education-related costs, Vadas shared projected estimates for lost revenue, depending on the state’s calculations for the grant.

“We could see some large changes,” Vadas said, with a slide indicating lost revenue could be between $27,359 and $156,759. “...It will definitely be in my report for next month.”

Later, she said COVID-19 related expenses remain at just over $2.6 million for the year and might increase by the end of the year.

The school board also approved sending the potential annual non-renewal notifications to district staff who might be affected by staffing adjustments. Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue noted the staff members who receive the notifications receive them out of “protocol,” and she expects there to be changes and other open position opportunities in the district.

Projected Last Days Of The School Year

The final days for the 2020-21 school calendar were also announced at the meeting. The last three days of the school year will be June 11, 14, and 15.

“We’re just here to share those dates with you and we would like to communicate with families that the last three days of school will be early release [days],” Dr Rodrigue said.

Also at the meeting, the school board heard presentations on curricula for the Applied Robotics Technology and Accounting I Newtown High School courses, and those are expected to be voted on for approval at an upcoming meeting.

While sharing her COVID-19 update with the board, Dr Rodrigue emphasized the importance of the vaccines being made available to staff and older students and she thanked everyone — specifically Newtown Health District Director Donna Culbert and Newtown School Nursing Supervisor Anne Dalton, RN — for helping in that process.

“This is important because we want to be able to hold as many end of the year events... as safely as possible, especially as we get closer to graduation,” said Dr Rodrigue.

The superintendent also said she anticipates more details about how the events can be held safely to be shared.

“This is really going to give everyone, I think, some peace of mind as we get closer to those events,” said Dr Rodrigue.