The Board of Education continued its review of the superintendent’s proposed 2019-20 spending plan at its meeting on January 17, focusing on the Newtown High School, special education, pupil personnel, and health budgets.

As presented, the superintendent’s proposed 2019-20 budget of $78,108,940 is a 2.7 percent increase from the current year’s budget. The Board of Education will continue to review the spending proposal before voting on its budget, which will then go before the Board of Finance and Legislative Council for review. Principals from Hawley Elementary School, Sandy Hook Elementary School, Middle Gate Elementary School, Head O’ Meadow Elementary School, Reed Intermediate School, and Newtown Middle School spoke to the board at its January 15 meeting regarding their school budgets.

Newtown High School Principal Dr Kimberly Longobucco spoke about her school’s proposed budget near the start of the January 17 meeting.

“When determining our budget, we always want to keep in mind some driving factors which help to guide our decision-making,” said Dr Longobucco. “The consideration of school improvements, changes in state mandates, graduation requirements, adequate resources, overall school enrollment, and the enrollment in individual classes were at the forefront of our decision-making for this budget, as well as unavoidable increases in staff contracts, transportation, and insurance.”

According to the Superintendent’s Requested Operational Plan, NHS has 1,512 students this year, and it is anticipated to have 1,575 students next year. The school’s proposed budget is $12,227,088, a 2.46 percent increase over the current budget.

Through the deletion of classes, retirements, and more, Dr Longobucco said the high school was able to “reduce” a total of two full-time equivalent teaching positions while maintaining current staff. The reductions were made based on course enrollment.

Other changes proposed for the high school include “leveling” pay-to-participate costs, according to Dr Longobucco. The recommendation for all sports, with the exception of ice hockey, is a fee of $160 and a family cap of $450. Ice hockey, due to the higher costs associated with the sport, would have a $250 pay to participate fee and the same family cap of $450.

Costs associated with participating in clubs and activities at the high school also have proposed changes. To help offset costs for parents of students in the NHS Marching Band & Guard program, Winter Guard, and Percussion, Dr Longobucco said $14,800 was added to the budget.

Special Education, Pupil Personnel, And Health Budgets

Director of Pupil Services Deborah Petersen later spoke about the proposed special education and pupil personnel budgets for 2019-20.

The proposed special education budget, according to the Superintendent’s Requested Operational Plan, is $4,258,623, an 8.52 percent increase from this year.

While she said she was “recognizing this is a critical time for the Special Education Department,” Ms Petersen shared changes implemented for the 2018-19 school year and 2019-20 proposals. This school year, a special education teacher was hired for Newtown Middle School to allow for a “reduction in case management for special education teachers within that building.” A .4 social worker position, funded through at NoVo Foundation grant, was added at Reed Intermediate School this year, and an addition of a .4 school psychologist is also proposed for next year at Reed.

Ms Petersen also spoke about district efforts to create a “more robust and unique behavioral program,” which would be housed at NHS. Positions are proposed to support the program in next year’s budget, and current staff would also be utilized. Later, Ms Petersen said there is interest in assessing the potential for an enhanced program and the possibility of a regional program being housed in Newtown.

Training and professional development is also budgeted for next year.

A recent review of special education practices conducted by consultants “will continue to be an integral part” of her job, Ms Petersen said.

The proposed pupil personnel budget is $3,873,454, a two percent increase over the current budget, according to the Superintendent’s Requested Operational Plan. It covers student supports.

Board of Education members asked a range of questions of Ms Petersen, including the possibility of any surprises that may happen over the course of the year. Ms Petersen said there are always “surprises,” and later added that the creation of a special education contingency fund has helped resolve worries around those surprises.

District Nurse Supervisor Anne Dalton spoke about the proposed health budget, saying, “The nurses’ offices continue to be busy places.”

The district is seeing an increase in the number of children with medical needs, and Ms Dalton said two nurses were added to NHS to allow her time to supervise nurses across the district. Overall, Ms Dalton said she is happy with “where we are.” The health budget is requested to be $46,697, which is the same amount that was budgeted for in the 2018-19 budget.

The school board postponed inspecting the proposed curriculum budget to its next meeting, scheduled for January 22, at 7 pm, at Reed Intermediate School.