By Tom Williamson
Earlier this week the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) Budget Committee heard from the Board of Educational about their budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025. The presentation was made by Karen Kowalski, the chair of the Board of Education, the superintendent of schools, Dr. Toni Jones, and Blaize Levitan, the school district’s Chief Operating Officer,
Ms. Kowalski, the Board’s chair, provided insights into the extensive 12-month process leading to the budget’s presentation. The thorough examination involved strategic planning, careful consideration of previous budgets, enrollment projections, staffing adjustments, and continuous fixed cost evaluation. “It never ends for the budgeting process,” Kowalski remarked, acknowledging the perpetual cycle of financial scrutiny.
The budget presentation emphasized key drivers, such as meeting legal mandates like pre-K and SPED legislation, implementing the special education action plan, and ensuring professional development for teachers. Dr. Toni Jones expanded on the Board’s commitment to addressing chronic structural budget gaps and reiterated the importance of professional development for educators. “It’s part of our obligation to make sure that our teachers are on the cutting edge of new teaching tools,” Jones emphasized.
The proposed operating budget for 2024-2025, is $192,624,020. While the increase over the previous year stood at 5.6%, adjustments for special education resulted in a refined year-to-year increase of 4.2%. The figure surpassed the BET guidance of 4.3%, prompting the school board to provide insights into the factors influencing the budget.
Dr. Toni Jones, delved into the core elements driving educational excellence and shed light on the evolving landscape of student demographics and enrollment.
She initiated her segment by highlighting the district’s brand-new strategic plan, a roadmap forged to guide the educational journey of Greenwich students. The plan, passed last April, encompasses a spectrum of initiatives, including the special education action plan and a literacy program grounded in the science of reading.
“We have a systemic implementation for math across all of our schools, and that goes all the way into high school,” Dr. Jones articulated, underscoring the district’s commitment to a cohesive educational approach. Beyond academics, the strategic plan emphasizes strengthening the home-to-school connection, fostering a sense of student belonging, and nurturing a positive working environment for all staff.
Slides accompanying the presentation, showcased the district’s achievements in STAR early literacy results, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and Advanced Placement (AP) results. Dr. Jones emphasized the transformative impact of enhanced reading programs, illustrated through the impressive growth in literacy results since the implementation of a robust phonics program.
“Our Advanced Placement results continue to increase year-over-year, and this didn’t change during COVID,” Dr. Jones declared, dispelling any concerns about a dip in academic performance during challenging times. The district achieved a 91% college readiness score, a testament to students’ resilience and dedication even in the face of adversities.
Transitioning to the home-school connection, Dr. Jones shared survey data reflecting a significant increase in satisfaction levels among parents, a positive trend observed over the last four years. The district’s focus on fostering strong partnerships with parents yielded tangible results, with satisfaction levels reaching 87% in the latest survey.
Addressing the critical aspect of student belonging, Dr. Jones highlighted the district’s efforts to ensure that students genuinely enjoy being at school. Post-COVID, the district observed a commendable rise from 55% to 72% in students’ sense of belonging, a reflection of the collective commitment to creating a positive school environment.
While acknowledging growth, Dr. Jones also stressed the need for continuous improvement in staff and school climate. Despite commendable statistics, she expressed a desire to see the 68% satisfaction level for staff and school climate rise further. The superintendent affirmed the district’s commitment to providing an environment that not only excels in standardized test scores but also celebrates achievements and positive contributions daily.
A moment of pride emerged as Dr. Jones highlighted the recent accolade of seven Greenwich schools being named schools of distinction in the state of Connecticut. The distinction not only recognized academic performance but also underscored the notable achievement of high growth across all recognized schools.
As the presentation discussed student demographics and enrollment trends, Dr. Jones provided a comprehensive overview of the current landscape. With an enrollment of 8,611 as of October 1st, the district remains vigilant about fluctuations, especially in kindergarten numbers driven by birth rates.
Kindergarten enrollment in the current year surpassed projections by 101 students, attributed to both in-migration and legislative changes. Dr. Jones presented insightful data on birth rates in Greenwich, highlighting the unique aspect of in-migration significantly influencing kindergarten numbers, creating an intriguing trend linked to the housing market.
Dispelling concerns about declining enrollment, Dr. Jones showcased a historical perspective, indicating a leveling out of enrollment trends. However, the real surge was witnessed in preschool, doubling in the past decade, necessitating 16 classrooms to accommodate the growing demand.
The English language program exhibited a steady increase, with 472 students across elementary, middle, and high schools. Dr. Jones addressed the impact of Covid-related disruptions on free and reduced lunch numbers and emphasized the importance of accurate data collection for grant allocations tied to student demographics.
A pivotal point of discussion centered on the growth in the special education population, a 189-student increase from 2019 to 2023. Dr. Jones highlighted the need for more specialized staff, including special education teachers, speech services, and psychological services, emphasizing the impact of federal mandates on caseloads.
Blaize Levitan, the school’s Chief Operating Office, then took to the podium to discuss budgetary matters. His portion of the presentation analyzed historical budget trends, emphasizing the Board of Education’s fiscal responsibility. Levitan outlined how the operating budget consistently remained below the inflation rate for five consecutive years. The challenge of managing labor contracts and allocating funds to supplies and services was apparent when the operating budget fell below contractual obligations.
The focus on school-level budgeting was emphasized, with a breakdown of spending categories. The presentation delved into cost containment efforts, highlighting a 4% in administrative and business functions. The budget presentation detailed a 5.6% increase, addressing chronic budget pressures, including special education services, day substitutes, retirement savings, utilities, and per pupil allocation.
Key challenges were further addressed, such as the end of American Rescue Plan funding and its impact on the budget. Reductions in teaching positions and adjustments to curriculum investments were notable strategies to absorb the changes. The intricacies of managing special education populations, their associated costs, and the district’s commitment to maintaining high-quality services were emphasized.
The presentation highlighted ongoing projects, including renovations to Central Middle School and crucial infrastructure improvements at Julian Curtis. Plans for addressing critical issues, like cellular service at the high school and ADA compliance throughout the district, were discussed.
In conclusion, Levitan summarized the district’s coordinated efforts with town partners on capital planning. The focus on HVAC, security, life safety, and ADA compliance showcased a commitment to enhancing the overall learning environment. The district’s proposed budget, encompassing both operating and capital aspects, reflects a comprehensive approach to meet the evolving needs of Greenwich Public Schools.
As Greenwich Public Schools navigate challenges and celebrate successes, their strategic initiatives and budgetary decisions align with its vision to provide a high-quality education that prepares students for success in an ever-changing world.
