Ignite new Learning.
WATERFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Engage in the FY 26 Board of Education Approved Budget
possibilities.
Mission Statement Waterford Public Schools is a community of learners that fosters and supports high aspirations, ensuring every student acquires the skills and knowledge necessary to be a responsible citizen, prepared to contribute and succeed in an ever-changing world.
Rigorous Academic Program
Comprehensive SocialEmotional Learning Approach
Expansive Arts, Co-Curricular & Athletics Programs
High Quality Professional Learning for Staff
CT Best Places to Live
Ignite new Learning.
The town's overall Niche grade was listed as "A-" and it also received an "A-" level grade for its public schools and being good for families. https://patch.com/connecticut/waterford/waterford-named-one-top-100-places-live-ct-2025-rankings
Engage in the possibilities.
WPS – On the Map! • Focus on Youth Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (YMPI) at WHS. • 33 WHS Students passed the Seal of Biliteracy test: representing the languages of French, Latin, and Spanish.
• 16 WHS students auditioned and were selected to perform in the CT Eastern Region Music Festival. • QH custodian was named a top 3 finalist for the CINTAS National Custodian of the Year contest. • GN fourth grade student selected as a County Winner of Fire Prevention Poster Contest with artwork included in the Fire Prevention State Calendar.
Ignite new Learning.
• OSW visited by UCONN’s NEAG Early Childhood Leadership Cohort as an example of effective early childhood practices. • QH STEAM Lab (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, and Math) provided students weekly, assured experiences in STEAM.
• 54 WHS students were recognized as College Board Advanced Placement Scholars: 30 AP Scholars, 9 AP Scholars with Honor and 15 AP Scholars with Distinction. • 32 CLMS students were accepted into the Junior World Language Honor Societies for French, Spanish, and Latin. • 1 WHS teacher received Fund for Teachers Fellowship Grant.
Engage in the possibilities.
Core Concept of Continuous Improvement Theory of Action
Assess Current Conditions
Develop a Vision of Success
Close the Gap: Strategic Plan With Specific Actions
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
Student Performance Results
Ignite new Learning. Engage in the possibilities.
Spring 2024 State Assessments ➢ High School SAT Math Performance – Level (Up 10+% last year) ➢ High School Math Average Score – Up (11 Points) ➢ High School SAT ELA Performance – Up Slightly (~ 2%) ➢ High School ELA Average Score – Up (8 Points) ➢ Grades 3-8 Math Performance – Up (~ 3%) ➢ Grades 3-8 Math Growth - Up in Growth Rate and % of Target Achieved ➢ Grades 3-8 ELA Performance – Level ➢ Grades 3-8 ELA Growth – Up in Growth Rate and % of Target Achieved ➢ District (Gr. 5, 8, 11) Science Performance – Slight Dip (2.75% = ~15 Students)
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
Next Generation Accountability Index THE DISTRICT REPORT CARD ACROSS 22 INDICATORS OF DISTRICT PROGRESS “Connecticut’s Next Generation Accountability System… (indicates) how well a school is preparing its students for success in college, careers and life.” ➢State Assessments Performance in Math, Language Arts, Science ➢State Assessments Growth in Math, Language Arts, Science ➢English Proficiency for Non-English Speaking Students ➢Chronic Absenteeism ➢College and Career Readiness as measured by AP & ECE courses ➢On-track to Graduation Rates ➢Graduation Rates – 4-year and 6-year ➢Postsecondary Entrance ➢Physical Fitness ➢Arts
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
Next Generation Index Spring 2024 Indicator 1a. ELA Performance Index - All Students 1b. ELA Performance Index - High Needs Students 1c. Math Performance Index - All Students 1d. Math Performance Index - High Needs Students 1e. Science Performance Index - All Students 1f. Science Performance Index - High Needs Students 2a. ELA Academic Growth - All Students 2b. ELA Academic Growth - High Needs Students 2c. Math Academic Growth - All Students 2d. Math Academic Growth - High Needs Students 2e. Progress Toward English Proficiency - Literacy 2f. Progress Toward English Proficiency - Oral 4a. Chronic Absenteeism - All Students 4b. Chronic Absenteeism - High Needs Students 5. Preparation for CCR - Percent Taking Courses 6. Preparation for CCR - Percent Passing Exams 7. On-track to High School Graduation 8. 4-year Graduation: All Students 9. 6-year Graduation: High Needs Students 10. Postsecondary Entrance 11. Physical Fitness (estimated participation rate = 93.6%) 12. Arts Access Accountability Index
Spring 23 68.1 59.2 65.9 56.6 68.1 59.3 50.3% 43.5% 59.1% 52.6% 66.1% 60.1% 13.9% 21.2% 95.9% 52.7% 94.1% 93.9% 82.0% 71.1% 48.4% 51.1% 73.2
Spring 24 68.1 59.8 67.3 58.5 67.5 57.5 55.7% 54.6% 61.5% 58.5% 81.4% 63.4% 9.4% 14.2% 97.8% 59.4% 91.8% 89.4% 89.9% 74.3% 57.4% 50.6% 78.4
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
Return on Investment (ROI) Student Performance vs. $ Spend
Ignite new Learning. Engage in the possibilities.
ROI – Waterford Excels… • Above the State-Average Accountability Index Performance • Below State-Average Spending
Waterford – Top 25% of all Districts in CT Dollars Spent per Pupil VS. Each Point on the Accountability Index
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
Districts 79th to 119th on Spending 100
Waterford – 99th
Average PPE
95
90
Ignite new Learning.
85
80
Average Index Score
75
70
65
60
Engage in the possibilities.
55
50 15000
17000
19000
21000
23000
25000
27000
29000
31000
33000
35000
Districts 28%-38% Free/Reduced Meals 100
95
Waterford – 33%
Average PPE
90
Ignite new Learning.
85
80
Average Index Score
75
70
65
60
Engage in the possibilities.
55
50 15000
17000
19000
21000
23000
25000
27000
29000
31000
33000
35000
New London County 100
95
Average PPE
Waterford
90
Ignite new Learning.
85
80
Average Index Score
75
70
65
60
Engage in the possibilities.
55
50 15000
17000
19000
21000
23000
25000
27000
29000
31000
33000
35000
2023 CT School Finance Groups • Income - Median Household Income • Education - Percentage of parents with a bachelor’s degree or higher • Occupation - Percentage of students with parents aged 16 or older, employed, and holding jobs in executive, managerial, and professional specialty occupations • Family Structure - Percentage of students living with families without a wife or husband present or in nonfamily households • Poverty - Percentage of students from families with incomes eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals • Home Language - Percentage of students whose families speak a language other than English at home • District Enrollment - Gross enrollment for the local public school district
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
District Group D – 26 Districts • Berlin • Bethel • Branford • Clinton • Coventry • Cromwell • East Haddam • Enfield • Hamden • Ledyard • Mansfield • Milford • New Milford
• Newington • North Branford • Old Saybrook • Region 4 • Region 12 • Region 16 • Region 19 • Seymour • Shelton • Wallingford • Waterford • Watertown • Windsor
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
Group D Districts 100
Average PPE
Waterford 95
90
Ignite new Learning.
85
80
Average Index Score
75
70
65
60
Engage in the possibilities.
55
50 15000
17000
19000
21000
23000
25000
27000
29000
31000
33000
35000
ROI – Waterford Excels… • Above the State-Average Accountability Index Performance • Below State-Average Spending
Waterford – Top 25% of all Districts in CT Dollars Spent per Pupil VS. Each Point on the Accountability Index
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
WPS responds… This budget continues our investment in meeting the needs of our students in 2025-2026… AND TO KEEP EXCELLING! Ignite new Learning. Engage in the possibilities.
Trends IN THE WPS
We continue to change.
Ignite new Learning. Engage in the possibilities.
Total Enrollment 2535
2519
2469 2367
2348
2366
2358
2295
2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
Ten-Year Trend by Race & Ethnicity
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
Multilingual Learners (ML) 130
139
113
Ignite new Learning.
87 75 62
64
37
2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Engage in the possibilities.
Languages in our Schools – 2024-2025 23 different languages
Albanian Arabic Bulgarian Burmese Cantonese Greek Gujarati Hindi
Japanese Khmer Korean Lao Mandarin - #3 Nepali Polish Portuguese - #4
Russian Spanish - #1 Tagalog Thai Tibetan Ukrainian Urdu - #2
Over 11% of our families have a primary home language other than English.
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
New Bilingual Programs Great Neck 24-25 & Oswegatchie in 25-26 20 or more students with same native language There are 60 districts in CT that have bilingual programs. What this means for WPS: • Instruction in English as well as student’s native language • Enable students to achieve English proficiency and academic mastery • Use of English should continuously increase • Annual plan submitted to CSDE • Additional professional development for all teachers • Potential staffing implications
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
Special Education Students
440
438
430
426 413
Ignite new Learning.
400 389
394
2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Engage in the possibilities.
Free / Reduced Meals
734
769 648
639
663
707
745
Ignite new Learning.
502
2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Engage in the possibilities.
ABSENTEEISM TREND DATA 13.9% 12.1% 10.8%
9.4%
9.1%
Ignite new Learning.
6.1%
Chronic Absenteeism %
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
Source: CSDE, EdSight Public
Chronic = more than 10% absent
Engage in the possibilities.
WPS School-Based Health Clinics 1562 visits through 3/31/25
13% increase in visits over last year
2024-2025 Year to Date Totals Clark Lane Behavioral 527 Clark Lane Medical Waterford Behavioral
334
Waterford Medical
167
Ignite new Learning.
534
1872 visits all of last year.
Engage in the possibilities.
Why is this data important?
Board Goals: Be a district for all students…
Ignite new Learning.
It takes resources to do this. Engage in the possibilities.
THE
BUDGET Ignite new Learning. Engage in the possibilities.
GRANTS Grant
$214,000 Total in FY25
Amount
Grant
Amount
Grant
Amount
$8,000
Flanagan Grant (OSW)
$750
Pfizer Grant (WHS)
$1,500
$5,500
Fulbright Hayes (WHS)
$10,000
Chelsea Savings Grant (Avery Point)
$500
Fund for Teachers (WHS)
$5,000
CT Donors Choose (GN)
$5,000
CT Donors Choose (OSW)
$15,000
CT Donors Choose (QH)
$13,000
E-Rate Program (IT Department)
$73,638
Every Child Art Experience (WHS)
$2,500
FAFSA Grant (WHS)
$2,530
ARPA - Para Educational Professional Development (District) ARPA FAFSA Grant (District)
Global Partners Grant (WHS) Mohegan Challenge Grant (GN) Mohegan Sun Grant (CLMS) National Endowment for Humanities (WHS) Navy STEM SeaPerch program (WHS) Perkins (WHS/CLMS)
$500 $500 $1,500 $1,300 $1,015 $27,673
PTA Technology Grant (QH) Ready, Tech, Go AT&T Grant (QH) Sea Grant Program (WHS) SERC Grant (WHS)
State Bilingual Grant (District) Teachers on the Estuary TOTE (WHS) Title IV (District)
$4,231 $1,250
Ignite new Learning.
$5,000 $500 $2,216 $400 $24,817
Engage in the possibilities.
COMPETITIVE GRANTS $875K in Grants in Last 6 Years FISCAL YEAR
$ GRANTS OBTAINED
FY 20
$ 170,466
FY 21*
$ 82,493
FY 22 *
$ 72,564
FY 23
$160,000
FY 24
$175,000
FY 25
$214,000
REDUCES OUR BUDGET REQUEST * DECREASE DUE TO COVID-19
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
COST CONTAINMENT ➢ CONTINUE TO PURSUE COMPETITIVE GRANTS - $214,000 IN FY25 ➢ AGGRESSIVE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING – TOTAL RESTRUCTURE OF WFCT WAGE SCALE – CONSISTENTLY BELOW TREND IN SETTLEMENTS ➢ ELIMINATED OUT-OF-TOWN MAGNET TRANSPORTATION ➢ REDUCED IN-TOWN BUS RUNS ➢ TERMINATED TFS AGREEMENT & CREATED OUR OWN IN-DISTRICT PREK PROGRAM
Ignite new Learning.
➢ 38% REDUCTION IN STUDENTS ATTENDING MAGNET SCHOOLS (FY16 TO FY24) ➢ ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS ➢ REDUCTION OF STAFF WITH ENROLLMENT TRENDS ➢ REDEPLOYMENT OF STAFF TO AREAS OF HIGHER NEED ➢ REDUCED SERVICES / PROGRAMS – I.E. - TAG PROGRAM; INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES ➢ UTILIZE OUR OWN VAN FLEET TO REDUCE TRANSPORTATION COSTS ➢ IMPLEMENTED PARTNERSHIPS WITH K-8 DISTRICTS TO ATTEND WHS ➢ INCREASED IN-DISTRICT SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO REDUCE COSTS
Engage in the possibilities.
MILL RATE FOR EDUCATION
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
The Last Decade Waterford 2015 - 2025 40% 35% 30%
Ignite new Learning.
25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% -5%
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
-10%
CPI
Certified Wages
Budget
Headcount
Engage in the possibilities.
Proposed Budget
99% of the increase for next year is:
Ignite new Learning.
➢ Salary Increases ➢ Health Insurance ➢ Chromebook Replacements 1% of the increase is everything else in the budget.
Engage in the possibilities.
Main Budget Drivers $ Increase
% Increase to Overall Budget
Chromebooks Replacement Cycle Total
$ 1.82M $ 716K $ 197K $ 2.96M
3.16 % 1.26 % 0.34 % 4.76 %
Everything Else
$ 12K
0.02 %
Salary & Compensation Benefits (Health Insurance)
4.78%
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
111 – Salaries, Certified
$ 992,553
121 – Temporary Pay, Certified
$ 333,266 TOTAL $ 1,325,819
• 111 - Contractual Increases for Certified Staff • Reduction of 2 FTEs at WHS to fund 2 Multilingual FTEs • Additional .25 FTE in World Language CLMS ($25K) • replacement higher than retirement - in place in FY25 • $75K – 2 x Multilingual Tutors • 121 - Align Substitute Teacher Line to Actuals / Trend - $183K
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
SUPPORT SERVICES Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
112 – Salaries, Support
$ 473,695
119 – Salaries, Other
( $ 22,892 )
122 – Temporary Pay, Support
$ 40,355
132 – Overtime, Support
$ 5,145 TOTAL $ 496,303
• • • •
Ignite new Learning.
No New Staff 112 - Contractual Increases for all Support Staff 119 – Less Student Vocational Workers next year 122 & 132 – Based on trend / actuals Engage in the possibilities.
Salary Increase Breakdown Total FY25 Budget
32,793,128
GWI
1,053,215
Step / Lane / Degree Changes Turnover
359,502 64,500
New Positions
100,000
Change in Grants
( 50,968 )
FY26 Budget
34,319,377
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS $ Increase/Decrease
Accounts
212 – Health Insurance
$ 671,467
215 / 219 – Life Insurance & LTD
$ 2,300
220 – FICA, Employer’s Contribution
$ 138,223
240 – Reimbursements
$ 600
250 – Unemployment Comp
$0
260 – Workers’ Comp
$ 19,461
290 – Unused Sick Leave
( $ 93,200 )
291 – Retirement Incentive
( $ 15,000 )
Ignite new Learning.
TOTAL $ 723,851
• • • •
212 - Health Increase based on Rates Workers’ Comp, Life and Long-Term Disability – Rate & Contractual 220 - FICA – Reflects Employee Headcount 290 & 291 – Contractual – Reflects Lower Number of Retirees
Engage in the possibilities.
CONTRACTED SERVICES Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
321 – Instructional Service – Contracted
$ 2,741
322 – Professional Development
( $ 50 )
323 – Curriculum Development
$ 5,000
330 – Other Prof/Technical Services 331 – Legal Services
( $ 192,141 ) $ 15,000
Ignite new Learning.
TOTAL ( $ 169,450 ) • 330 – Savings due to shift in Health Services brought in-house • 331 – Three (3) union negotiations in FY26
Engage in the possibilities.
TRANSPORTATION Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
510 – Transportation, Pupil
$ 137,182
627 – Transportation Supplies
( $ 16,426 ) TOTAL $ 120,756
Ignite new Learning.
• 510 – New Bus Contract in FY26 (Year 1 of 5) • 627 - Diesel and Fuel – Market Rates
Engage in the possibilities.
INSURANCE Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
520 – Fire/Property Insurance
$ 50,079
521 – Liability Insurance
$ 25,309
529 – Other Insurance
$ 915 TOTAL $ 76,303
Ignite new Learning.
• Rate Driven
Engage in the possibilities.
COMMUNICATIONS Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
530 – Communications
$ 2,640
531 – Postage
( $ 1,189 )
540 – Advertising
( $ 3,000 )
TOTAL ( $ 1,549 )
Ignite new Learning.
• 530 – Rate Driven • 531 & 540 – Aligned to Trend
Engage in the possibilities.
TUITION Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
560 – Tuition, Other Public
( $ 39,688 )
563 – Tuition, Private
( $ 245,271 ) TOTAL ( $ 284,959 )
Ignite new Learning.
• 560 & 563 – Based on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
Engage in the possibilities.
OTHER PURCHASED SERVICES Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
580 – Travel and Conferences
$ 17,749
590 – Contracted Services
$ 2,082 TOTAL $ 19,831
Ignite new Learning.
• 580 – Contractual Rate Increase on Athletics Travel • 580 – Trend on Usage and Increased Costs to Attend Workshops • 590 – Rate Increases
Engage in the possibilities.
INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPLIES Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
440 – Rentals
( $ 2,500 )
611 – Instructional Supplies
$ 31,198
612 – Software
$ 69,241 TOTAL $ 97,939
• 611 – Instructional Supplies – Cut Many Requests o Inflation o Food Costs for Culinary Program - $12K o TAG Testing Materials - $4K • 612 – Software – Primarily Product Rate Increases & Long-term Renewals o Reduced – ( $34K ) o Long-term Renewals – ( $6K ) o Rate Increases on Existing Products - $61K o New / Replacement Products - $49K
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
OPERATION & MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
410 – Water Service
$ 3,130
411 – Sewer Service
$ 6,271
430 – Maintenance & Repair
( $ 1,023 )
613 – Maintenance Supplies
$ 109,350
620 – Fuel Oil
( $ 373 )
621 – Electricity
$ 82,361
622 – Natural Gas
( $ 45,900 )
623 – Propane
Ignite new Learning.
$0 TOTAL $ 153,816
• • • •
410 & 411 – Water / Sewer – Usage & Rate 613 – Maintenance – Trend, Actuals & Inflation 621, & 623 – Electricity and Propane – Primarily Rate 622 – Natural Gas – Usage and Rate
Engage in the possibilities.
TEXTBOOKS/LIBRARY BOOKS/OTHER SUPPLIES Accounts
$ Increase/Decrease
641 – Textbooks
$ 500
642 – Library Books and Periodicals
$ 6,569
690 – Other Supplies/Materials
( $ 13,855 ) TOTAL ( $ 6,786 )
Ignite new Learning.
• 642 – Minor Increases to Support Non-Fiction and Multilingual Collection o Requests for more denied due to budget constraints • 690 – Increase in Athletic Officials / Referees Fees • 690 – Approx. $10K Budgeted for Vape Detection Pilot at WHS & CLMS
Engage in the possibilities.
EQUIPMENT Accounts 730 – Equipment
$ Increase/Decrease $ 208,062 TOTAL $ 208,062
• Asked to move Chromebooks from Capital back to Operating - $197K • Replacement for End-of-Life Diving Board - $42K • WHS CTE Program - $26K • Begin Replacing Cooking Equipment • Moving from Residential to Commercial Model • Materials to support Manufacturing Program • Part of Career Pathways work at WHS
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
DUES & FEES Accounts 810 – Dues & Fees
$ Increase/Decrease ( $ 4,778 )
TOTAL ( $ 4,778 )
Ignite new Learning.
• Rate Driven • Eliminated one item
Engage in the possibilities.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
PRIDE IN OUR STUDENTS,TEAM & COMMUNITY
Ignite new Learning.
Engage in the possibilities.
THANK YOU! Thank you for believing in our staff, students and families of Waterford. Ignite new Learning.
Your continued support will help us to provide exceptional programs for our students, preparing them for success and the best opportunity at a better life.
Engage in the possibilities.