Sally E. Bahner Photo
Back to school preparations, the state budget, technology costs, and the renaming of school facilities were on the docket for the Board of Education (pictured) last Wednesday.
Schools Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez reported that Aug. 23 is the first school day for teachers, while students will return on Monday, Aug. 28, the second year that students are starting school on a Monday. “It’s good to have a full week without interruption,” he said.
Hernandez said that bus routes are in place and drivers are doing dry runs. Bus routes and schedules can be accessed here.
State Budget Impact
In terms of finances, Board member John Prins commented that, unlike many towns, Branford was not experiencing the financial problems stemming from the state budget stalemate. Hernandez said that was due to good planning, while board member John O’Connor commented, “Not that we get a lot of money….”
Branford received $2,211,848 in Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) payments in FY2017, which ran from June 30, 2016 to July 1, 2017. Payments are doled out in October, April, and August; the next ECS payments to cities and towns would be in October as part of the FY2018 budget – which has not yet been passed by the state legislature. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has been controlling the state’s purse strings under executive order, and says he will reorder the distribution of funds in favor of cities and towns with the most need.
State Funding for Branford Schools?
The CT. Mirror
That would leave Branford (and Guilford) with zero ECS funding for October and possibly no funding for FY2018. Click here to read an interactive CT. Mirror story on the impact on the state’s towns and cities.
Senate Republican leader Len Fasano recently asked Attorney General George Jepsen for a legal opinion on the Governor’s executive order to realign municipal aid in the absence of a new state budget. Malloy would eliminate ECS funding entirely for 85 school districts, including Branford and Guilford. Click here to read the Mirror story.
Commenting on his Facebook page, State Rep. Sean Scanlon (D‑Branford, Guilford) said, “I want to be crystal clear: this plan would be a disaster for Branford and Guilford and I will never support a plan that zeros out our education funding. Democrats and Republicans need to work together and pass a budget as soon as possible so that the Governor cannot make these cuts on his own in October.”
State Rep Lonnie Reed (D‑Branford) has been in touch with Hernandez about the state budget and its impact on the district, writing emphatically, “The Governor’s proposed numbers — or lack thereof – scream, ‘unfair in the extreme,’ and, as you know, our legislative delegation has been battling on all fronts to craft a budget that recognizes and respects Branford’s diversity and protects our schools. The Governor is understandably frustrated and wants to blow up the legislative logjam. It’s reminiscent of President Ford’s response to NYC when the city reached out for help in the 1970s. This time it’s, ‘Malloy to Branford: Drop Dead.’ Of course, 138 other towns have been told to drop dead too.”
Reed said that she has been working with other states that have successfully solved budget problems.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time researching these issues – communicating with financial and legislative professionals who have successful track records for solving budget problems – folks from New York, California, Virginia, Washington state, and Washington DC. From my perspective, Connecticut’s short-term budget must be accompanied by a long-term game plan that includes innovative, top-tier financial input to help us restructure the whole way we do business. Without a transformational fiscal overhaul, our state’s future is unsustainable.”
Reflecting Hernandez’s statement, Reed said that Branford has been proactive in cushioning itself against the state’s budget problems. “Luckily, anticipating that this might be a drawn out battle, the Town, the Board of Finance and the Board of Ed took smart steps to make sure Branford’s school budget this year could weather the storm.” She said. “Our delegation stays in constant touch with Town and BOE officials and we are working hard to find solutions – not just for now, but for years to come.”
Is the Walsh Renovation Grant in Trouble?
Regarding the $88.2 million renovation of Walsh Intermediate School, Hernandez said the town is still waiting to hear from state, which has yet to vote on a budget, about the $33 million grant. He said approvals have been received from the Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Inland-Wetlands Commission, and that air quality testing is underway. He added that a display of the interior design for the school will be installed during the first week of school at Murphy, Sliney, and Tisko School, and at the Blackstone Library.
Construction documents are being prepared, he said, and a public outreach is being planned for September.
The $88.2 million Walsh Intermediate School project is the most expensive project ever undertaken in the town. However, the proposed $33 million state grant may well be in trouble.
Earlier this month, there was bad news about potential state school construction grants. The news was delivered at a building commission meeting.
Charles Warrington, Jr., senior project manager for Colliers International, owner’s representative, reported that the cap of the bonding used for school projects statewide through the Office of School Construction Grants and Review (OSCGR) may be halved, from $700 million-$800 million to $400 million.
“We’re on the priority list,” said Warrington (pictured), adding that they’re looking at “shovel-ready projects.”
However, Warrington said that the Walsh project would total about 10 percent of the available bonding if it were halved. The town is expecting some $33 million toward the project, which has been budgeted at a total of $88.2 million. If the cuts go forward the amount to be received by the town for the school is unclear.
If the state grants are reduced the Board of Finance and the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) will have to revisit the bonding process for the Walsh school.
Both Scanlon and Reed said they were keeping close tabs on the bonding for Walsh.
How to Handle Damaged Devices
An insurance fee of $40 to $50 per student for the Chromebooks used in grades 5 through 8 was discussed by the board. There’s a “one to one model” for such devices, totaling about 900. Damage does occur throughout the year. The fees would cover the costs to repair them, plus ensure that some extra devices would be available.
Tom Pisani, technology coordinator, said that seven devices a week were damaged and required repair. He repaired most of the devices himself, at a cost of $16,000 in parts. A spike in damaged equipment was seen at the end of the year, some due to irresponsible handling. Pisani said he can tell whether the damage is deliberate.
The insurance fee could result in $45,000 in income: $16,000 to $20,000 for repairs and the balance to offset cost for families in need. Indeed, there was discussed about the cost to families. “It’s a heavy load, a lot to ask,” said Prins. Hernandez responded, “We will work with families.”
Board chair Michael Krause suggested that they start with $25 a year, “a reasonable fee for a piece of equipment.” The devices typically cost $240 and last three to six years. Krause recommended to the administration that charges go to kids who intentionally damage the devices.
The importance of technology literacy for students was stressed during the discussion.
Naming of Facilities
The board discussed establishing a Naming Advisory Committee to honor two retired staff members.
It was suggested that the Branford High School auditorium be named in honor of longtime musical director Cathyann Rodding, who recently retired, and that Cathy McGuirk, girls’ field hockey coach, also be recognized.
Board member John Prins suggested that the action regarding the naming of the auditorium be taken that night with the board as advisory, but Hernandez demurred, saying, “We need to be sensitive about rushing… open heart, open mind.”
Krause recommended setting up separate committees, one for the auditorium renaming and one for the field renaming.
Hernandez designated Prins as chair to set up a committee.
Sally E. Bahner Photo
Toni Cartisano (pictured), who also retired after 47 years in the district and has assisted Roding in producing high school musicals, spoke in favor of renaming the auditorium. “There’s no one who would not recognize her achievements,” she said.
Other Business
Sally E. Bahner Photo
Hernandez introduced two new candidates who will be working with him in becoming certified school superintendents. Janet Brown Clayton (L)has 35 years experience in education and had taught at the Lincoln-Bassett School in New Haven. Rachel Sexton has worked with ACES in various positions and has 22 years teaching experience.
Lions club representative Marcie Ward addressed the board, advocating for spot vision screening in schools, libraries, parks and recs. She said the group has tested 484 kids, with 10 percent referred for further testing. She wants to extend the service to all first graders at no cost, adding that problems discovered on the spot.
Hernandez responded that kids are typically screened within the school system, “We will seriously consider the program.”
Hernandez reported that the district’s meals program is a model for the state. It’s a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) program offered to students regardless of financial need. He added that, separately, 20,000 meals were served on the green this summer, the fourth year of the program; just 6,000 were served the first year, he said.
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