File Photo
Just ahead of the opening of school today, the Board of Education (BOE) met to set the stage for the upcoming year, a year in which the overall school population has declined to under 3,000 students for the first time in its history.
The district’s enrollment has been on a steady decline since June 2009 when there were 3,506 students enrolled in the town’s public schools. The enrollment was 3,495 in June 2010; 3,438 in June 2011; 3,275 in June 2012; 3,271 in June 2013, 3,108 in October, 2014. This year, as the 2016 academic year begins, the overall population fell to 2,994 students across five schools and one family resource center.
Hamlet Hernandez, the schools superintendent, reported on the new statistics at last week’s Board of Education meeting. Going into the new school year, he said enrollment was as follows: Branford High School, 969; Walsh Intermediate, 876; Murphy Elementary, 403; Tisko Elementary, 382; Sliney Elementary, 338; Indian Neck Family Resource Center, 26.
“Of course, that’s subject to change,” he said.
Sally E. Bahner Photo
He also updated the board on the Walsh Intermediate School project, describing it as an “alteration extension.” At more than $80 million, the project is the most expensive in the town’s history and it’s expected that state reimbursement will bring the cost down to approximately $58 million to the town.
The Walsh school expansion project comes as Walsh student enrollment continues to drop. In 2009, the intermediate school enrolled 1,113 students. Today, as school opens, it will admit 876 students, an overall decline of 237 students. The town’s three elementary schools are also showing a drop in enrollment as the school year begins.
Walsh Expansion and Funding Issue
Hernandez also brought the BOE up-to-date on the outcome of the meeting with the state Department of Education concerning the anticipated 35 percent reimbursement, which may be in jeopardy due to the state’s student/building square footage requirements. Because of the balance between the existing and new construction, the project will require a space waiver.
State reimbursement is based on an eight-year enrollment average of 944 students in 154,000 square feet; square footage at the Walsh project is expected to be “north” of 170,000 square feet “in reality,” said Hernandez.
The details of the reimbursement and the space waiver were laid out at the recent Public Building Commission meeting.
The structure will be renovated to three stories. The first floor will include the cafetorium (auditorium) and pool as well as administrative offices and the central office for the school district. The second and third floors will be for academics.
Hernandez added that in September, the staff will meet with the Board of Education, noting that two positions are open.
Robin Comey, coordinator of the Branford Early Childhood Collaborative (BECC), told the BOE that the organization has received the anticipated $16,000 from the state despite budget concerns and will be transitioning to a non-profit status; it has been under the fiscal sponsorship of the United Way of Greater New Haven.
A new board of directors has been appointed and a strategic plan is being developed by non-profit consultant Rita Berkson with a $5,000 grant from the Branford Community Foundation.
The new board of directors includes Bruce E. Storm, chair; Ellen Michaels, treasurer; Andy Campbell, secretary; Sarah Cohen; Alice-Anne Harwood Sherrill; Catherine Jackson; Michele Krumenacker; Laura Noe; Diane Pappacoda; Mario Sabatini; and Alison Tylisczak. The new board includes former members of the Board of Education. Storm is a former superintendent of Branford schools.
###
