By Stephen Janis
The Superintendent of Greenwich Schools proposed a budget that would increase spending, allocate funds for contractually required raises for teachers, and adjust for reductions in funding from several federal programs.
The plan, which calls for roughly $203 million in operational spending next year—a 5.4% increase—highlights expanded capabilities for educating special needs students, adapting to a rise in students for whom English is a second language, and a notable reduction in administrative costs.
This increase amounts to an additional $10 million over last year.
Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones noted that a significant portion of spending, 76%, goes toward employee salaries, with 92% of that total earmarked for teachers and classroom instruction.
She also pointed out that administrative costs have been reduced since 2017, from approximately 4% to 2.6% of the total budget.
During that time student enrollment has dropped by 650 students but is expected to remain relatively steady in the foreseeable future, with 8,354 students attending public schools across all grades.
However, along with the increase in spending, the presentation highlighted enrollment changes.
The number of pre-kindergarten students identified as having special needs has more than doubled since 2012, rising from 48 to 123 children. Additionally, the population of English language learners has increased by 103 students since 2019. The number of special needs students has also grown, with 233 added since 2019.
Due to additional teachers and support staff working with special needs students, the percentage of those requiring education outside the district dropped from 7.2% to 2.5% of all pupils. This reduction saves the town nearly $168,000 per student, totaling approximately $10 million.
BOE member Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony said he was pleased with progress made keeping special education students in the town school system.
“By developing more programs in house, we have been able to keep more students in the district. This not only better meets students’ needs, but is a major cost savings for the district,” he told The Sentinel.
Interestingly, about 19% of enrolled students qualify for reduced-price or free school lunches. To enroll in this federally funded program, a student’s family must meet income guidelines set by the federal government. This percentage contrasts sharply with nearby communities: only 1% of Darien students qualify, and New Canaan has no students in the program.
Jones criticized the recently released guidelines from the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET), which she said did not allocate sufficient funds to cover the increase in expenses in her budget. The non-binding guidelines, approved on October 29, recommend a 2.9% increase.
“The increase does not cover contractual needs and student needs,” Jones said, saying that required salary increases alone amount to $5.5 million.
To meet the BET guidelines, the proposed budget would need to be revised down by $4.6 million.
“That would be a tremendous hurdle for us,” she said.
The Greenwich Sentinel previously reported that the BET adopted guidelines setting parameters for all town departments. The parameters they set already include a property tax increase of roughly 3.9%.
The tax increase would raise the town’s mill rate—the amount of tax levied on every one thousand dollars of property value—from 11.712 to 12.175.
Conflicts Over Appointments Continue
The meeting was not without conflict, as tensions over the appointment of a replacement Board of Education member continued as an issue at the beginning of the meeting.
Last month, Democrats called an emergency meeting to appoint Jennifer Behette to a vacant Republican seat on the BOE after a meeting of the Board of Selectman (BOS) had already been scheduled to make an appointment to the same seat. Because of the emergency nature of the meeting, it did not require normal noticing procedures and was held without all the Republican members present. The BOS appointed Paul Cappiali to the vacant seat.
The BOS subsequently questioned the emergency nature of the meeting and voted to consider it a violation of state transparency laws, filing a complaint with the Freedom of Information Commission, which has yet to rule.
Just before Jones gave her presentation, board member Wendy Vizzo Walsh asked for a point of order and requested a roll call.
“I just wanted to take a quick roll call,” Walsh said, proceeding to take attendance at the virtual meeting.
She noted that Paul Cappiali was not present and had not been sent a link to the virtual meeting. She also challenged the presence of Behette.
“I will record that you are here, but unless you can provide certification from the town…”
Her challenge prompted an interruption from Chair Karen Hirsch.
“This is not the place to adjudicate this,” Hirsch replied. “There are legal proceedings.”
SCHOOL BUDGET HEARING SCHEDULE
BOE Budget Meeting: December 5, 7 PM at Central Middle
BOE Budget Meeting: December 12, 7 PM at Central Middle
BET Presentation: January 23, 7 PM at Town Hall
BET Budget Meeting: February 1, 7 PM at Town Hall
Updated 11/19/2024 at 1pm to reflect print edition.
