[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6358051,"mediaKeyId","2212879-aa971e6e66f2f5008a482a5d6555f0cf","parentId",2212879,"title","Board briefed on aging buildings, maintenance needs and capital priorities","audioSeconds",429,"startMs",5205000,"endMs",5634000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212879-aa971e6e66f2f5008a482a5d6555f0cf&start=5205&end=5634","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212879-aa971e6e66f2f5008a482a5d6555f0cf/thumbnail_5205000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6358051/Connecticut/Board-briefed-on-aging-buildings-maintenance-needs-and-capital-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358051-56746640f906fdc102095cfe0e674c92/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197367&Signature=RhU6pCMdDA2bum4iMoKZyMH8U4Gs6-DSo7q7gNCT6PVJZcgU8pFJuornq82NvLAWoMexnch01t4POa7wM3cDShmYLHKwQ1ptFnwxjjV41gfUodni7RsdML-pEZYBtTCZ2oP~Y5~-JRO2jJctjC8VRgX1MmaJ4Hlz9~28VEql2Pxb0a06ztE5VlyZIsxL9FspwUxe9J1UOkImFfHkBit9LC6UnFVN0NmgNqaaYcRhNGsh9JSAfq~Y7pM36et3CzISMyzt7Yq-Tr019Et1IPoMV7EKRfoiQdjB9-Lgmp9esT60HbqVqghwIvt55i0k1GFY3Gdg0BQG5BKhzpobG8Jcfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cheshire School District","date","2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","article","Operations staff and business officials told the Cheshire Board of Education that the district’s aging facilities require continued operating and capital investment, even as two new elementary schools are built.

Administration said maintenance and operations represents about 5.4% of the operating budget and that utilities (electricity, heating) account for roughly 36% of that total. Cleaning services (outsourced nightly custodial contracts) account for about 17% and maintenance repair and supplies make up the remaining portion.

Officials said a number of large maintenance‑level costs are recurring. The district continues to pay energy performance contract installments; Massiana said the energy‑contract payments will continue for about four more years, after which that specific payment obligation ends. The administration also proposed continuing to fund preventive maintenance and repairs and flagged an increase in cleaning costs tied to labor and minimum‑wage/union considerations.

Nut graf: While two new elementary schools (Norton and an unnamed North End replacement) are expected to reduce long‑term repair needs for those buildings, the district will still need to invest in the remaining facilities and the capital program; administration said the planning committee will prioritize roof, HVAC, window, paving and mechanical needs for the coming capital cycle.

Operations staff told the board the night custodial contract initially bid as non‑union was taken over during the contract period and employees are now unionized; the vendor honored the original bid for two years but the district should expect higher costs going forward. The administration said it will present a recommendation to extend the existing cleaning contract for a year and asked the board to expect a modest increase in that line.

Capital requests: administration said it will not recommend large capital investments for the three buildings slated to be taken offline when the two new elementary schools open (Chapman, Norton, Darcy). The district’s historical capital requests average about $2.7 million a year and approved capital has tended to be around $2.1 million; last year’s capital appropriation was lower as the town prioritized new‑school debt service. Officials urged the board to recognize the long‑term cost of deferring capital needs, and noted several recent projects completed with capital funds (locker replacements, kitchen refrigeration, Dodd boiler).

Ending: The planning committee will schedule capital deliberations and the administration said it will return with prioritized project lists and cost estimates during the next rounds of budget discussions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cheshire School District Board of Education 1-21-25","oneSentenceSummary","Administration said utilities, cleaning contracts and routine repairs drive the maintenance and operations request; capital requests will be prioritized at the planning committee while the new Norton and North End schools reduce some future repair burdens.","taxTitle","Cheshire School District\t, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",57162,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358056,"Transportation and technology services push support‑services budget higher",1211,4721000,5932000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212879-aa971e6e66f2f5008a482a5d6555f0cf&start=4721&end=5932","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212879-aa971e6e66f2f5008a482a5d6555f0cf/thumbnail_4721000.jpg","/articles/6358056/Connecticut/Transportation-and-technology-services-push-supportservices-budget-higher","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358056-cec7af2d3f92888ad7069717717452eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197367&Signature=oe5KyaFT3VxLnGvltq0qU1Kew6fmsbmFJmNaqYq2OnEjALNvavNySKtJ~hNrZe1OKPQSPjaJcOD2licBtivKAzBenNOKOstZQ6zYqRPOmqEPVgAnv4UYNWyws1~bAbcGeDxfrzhVcndRrMgEEHRGZVHptmnRChQhzeTMzP0urLkuq0AHqZPVsz1BG~T8vls~0X-NdfKTSzYFqlKERo~hrwqPKJn4g22gm0l~8-hsuT~VR-9eTM-h5msYVv0~9l-A7Bmykli5A6xwqTToQqeksQLyvZjnKHeMBEknSk7Uzp0EbD4lJek96rMu0feCkNO5q3ZikOFoFKFLmTd33z6vqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Business officer Vinny Massiana told the Cheshire Board of Education that the support‑services section of the operating budget is growing primarily because pupil‑transportation expenses, technology contracts and student‑accident insurance are increasing.

Massiana said support services account for about 8.5% of the operating budget and that transportation (regular and special‑education routes, fuel and insurance) is the largest single component. He said the administration expects an overall transportation increase of about $331,000 driven by a contractual 4% increase with the vendor, the addition of general‑education routes as enrollment grows (each route costs roughly $80,000 a year), and more special‑education door‑to‑door runs that add route time and cost.

On insurance and other services, Massiana reported a roughly $20,000 increase in the district’s student accident policy, citing higher recent claims (primarily from athletics). That drove a 43% rise in that premium line item. He also pointed to recurring technology costs as an 11% portion of the support‑services increase, naming PowerSchool, Munis and an outsourced technology‑services contract as major, multi‑year expenses.

Massiana said the district has replaced 1,360 PC devices with current‑generation units mounted behind monitors and continues gradual upgrades of SMART boards to flat panels; about 30 SMART boards remain to be upgraded at the high school. He said work‑order and building‑use software has been upgraded this year and that the district continues to invest in network and device management.

Nut graf: The administration described transportation and rising insurance and technology subscription costs as the primary drivers of the support‑services increase, and it asked the board to consider those structural cost pressures when reviewing the budget.

Board members asked for details about private‑school transportation and trends in non‑public enrollment; Massiana said the transportation line for private schools (Saint Bridget) and other specific runs is budgeted separately. The board also asked about composting and garbage costs; Massiana said composting costs are currently covered by town‑level funds and that composting provides only a modest offset to hauling costs.

Ending: The administration will provide additional line‑item detail to board members before the next budget session and noted that some multi‑year contracts (e.g., energy performance payments) will expire in coming years, potentially reducing recurring costs.","District staff told the board that pupil‑transportation costs are the main driver behind an increase in support services, citing contract increases, added routes and more special‑education transport time; technology and student‑accident insurance costs also rose.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358061,"District asks for 9–12 science and math coordinator as high‑school workloads grow",1734,4751000,6485000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212879-aa971e6e66f2f5008a482a5d6555f0cf&start=4751&end=6485","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212879-aa971e6e66f2f5008a482a5d6555f0cf/thumbnail_4751000.jpg","/articles/6358061/Connecticut/District-asks-for-912-science-and-math-coordinator-as-highschool-workloads-grow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358061-e65c3ed5f5bc926ce2381da446a4fe29/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197367&Signature=azgbJhgt-ABmIEL6Ml1e~CxSPGGmfr5YmR8ohqhc8SR-0HYsSLRbvDVO8HlPYmgFEID~UBS4Mg4e8xgVWChrbR18qajIc8I2TwhoeEpzGsAqDVFHduaecsqkIiKzgCeWmMZEo08IrqSwl7TNvl-0~KKW52kjb~PfFk-bS~9EkDNvCOBNw2pEYFJDkYQqUxr7QUuy6ygZGq1bvHqUh~M-h9aBR-NJJI-5Nqar92CAGrqcpUzrDLfaNYV4~IHSY~Dyvwapj2uge3PzYVfYDQZYEEYBuwHrnvoD-v2GIolfTJJIN7a~8~FEXqrf0iAAI6jIR-Qs9fxaZMDDon7BgHLK6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assistant Superintendent Marlene Solano outlined the Cheshire School District’s curriculum and instruction budget, describing textbook and subscription spending, curriculum‑writing work, professional development and the district’s request for a new high‑school science and math curriculum coordinator.

Solano said the district maintains a curriculum library for lesson plans, pacing guides and standards and that major recurring resource costs include Eureka Math (elementary math program) and I‑Ready (middle‑school diagnostic and instruction platform). She listed other subscriptions and platforms in use across the district, including PowerSchool (student information system), Performance Matters (data warehouse for assessments), School Links (college/career and common‑app support), WeVideo, Destiny (library management), and single‑sign‑on service Clever.

Solano described the current coaching and curriculum leadership structure: a K–8 coordinator (Kevin Hanlon), one elementary reading consultant and one elementary math consultant, six elementary curriculum coaches (one per elementary school, two at Highland), and content leaders and department chairs at the secondary level. She said elementary staff do not have daily classroom responsibilities and so can provide frequent coaching, while many secondary curriculum leaders teach full schedules and are released only one or two periods for coordination work.

The administration proposed adding a 9–12 science and math coordinator as a central‑office administrative position. Solano and Superintendent Dr. Solon said the role would be similar to the K–8 coordinator’s responsibilities: curriculum oversight, coaching, textbook selection, professional development planning, attending data team meetings, and supporting multilingual learners. They said the new position would also reduce the evaluation and administrative load on high‑school principals and department chairs, who currently evaluate large numbers of teachers.

Board members asked whether consultants could continue to fill the role. Solano said external consultants had produced gains (noting a strong year after Connecticut Science Center coaches supported high‑school science instruction) but that consultants are not a long‑term substitute for an in‑district coordinator who can run curriculum adoption processes, stay on site year‑round, and attend frequent PLC/data‑team meetings.

Nut graf: The request for a 9–12 science and math coordinator is presented as an operational, instructional investment: district leaders argued the position would expand coaching and curriculum implementation at the high school and reduce unsustainable evaluation burdens on existing administrators and department chairs.

Solano said the requested funds would support a new U.S. history textbook, vetting/replacing an Algebra 1 resource, a universal reading screener, and additional science supplies tied to recently created science coaching positions. She said district staffing already includes a mix of central office and building‑based curriculum coaches and that surrounding districts (e.g., Southington, Glastonbury, West Hartford) have analogous administrative curriculum roles.

Ending: The board asked for documentation on evaluation loads and other comparative data; Solano said she would provide further detail and that the planning and budget committees would review the staffing proposal as part of the ongoing budget process.","Curriculum leaders described the district’s curriculum library, resource subscriptions and teacher‑coaching structure and requested a new 9–12 science and math coordinator to relieve administrative evaluation loads and expand coaching at the secondary level.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358065,"Cheshire board hears rising special-education costs, requests for counselors and speech assistants",1242,1022000,2264000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212879-aa971e6e66f2f5008a482a5d6555f0cf&start=1022&end=2264","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212879-aa971e6e66f2f5008a482a5d6555f0cf/thumbnail_1022000.jpg","/articles/6358065/Connecticut/Cheshire-board-hears-rising-special-education-costs-requests-for-counselors-and-speech-assistants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358065-ec4b55043575422e6cb7a076f7ef47c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197367&Signature=S6QGEJJ~34IORUtjhN90LDzl5N9T~nNiPexVK3lnfgYjCkDNeYTj9CaIMaGB0-yKqvDdM6A9nIK-6Z81w90sQLZ8~C8Ij79d5lQYO16nd3q6en-vshywfYvXv-cgMbaDvI76KFzfanWvmiuFO767zvXgQkGoev~RlpoZMENVEP3RelFognyQMzBCpfn0~FGTCj8ZZ-BfMZOqJs-ap4qUIGLpwKXn-B3uEPUsruEa0IliExpYdHBKbIE9u-6PcHHwJq8IogOqJb9bNHQ0I2j3YKXGNSesV4xRJjf552lMZtHJnFgXv5ccqyEwr7eaJQvRka6dnpqDRXLRcDKcGCclPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Solon and special-education presenter Robin Ann Carey told the Cheshire Board of Education during a public budget review that rising special-education enrollment and higher per‑student costs are driving an increase in next year’s special‑education budget.

Carey said the district’s total special‑education costs this year are about $22.3 million and the administration is projecting roughly $23.3 million for the coming year. She said special‑education students will make up an estimated 16.1% of enrollment next year and that about 0.4% of students are placed out of district, with average out‑of‑district tuition and services averaging roughly $122,705 per student plus about $37,503 for transportation.

The district plans to request several personnel additions to keep more services in‑district and ease caseload pressures: a 0.5 full‑time equivalent (FTE) school counselor (currently funded in part by expiring ARP mental‑health grant money) and two part‑time speech‑language pathology assistants (SLPAs). Carey said the SLPA hires would allow speech‑language pathologists to focus on assessments, Individualized Education Program (IEP) writing and meetings while assistants provide small‑group and push‑in supports.

Carey also described program expansions made since 2020: two new intensive education classrooms at Norton, additional intensive classrooms at Highland, a high‑school Aspire program for students affected by anxiety or trauma, expanded transition programming for 18‑ to 22‑year‑old students, and a transition coordinator position required by state regulation. She said the district added a speech pathologist in 2022 (largely funded by IDEA) and a half‑time board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) in 2020, and that most IDEA grant funds are dedicated to salaries.

Board members asked for clarifications on federal funding and IDEA. Jeff (district staff) pointed to the budget book’s grant section for total federal grants and identified IDEA funding at roughly $1,000,000 in the grant table as an estimated figure; Carey said IDEA funding is a substantial source and that elimination would significantly affect school systems statewide.

Carey described staffing shortages affecting both paraeducators and certified staff and said some positions have remained open since September; she called the current candidate pool “a puddle” and said districts are competing for the same limited applicants. She also described increased demand for AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) devices and services for students with hearing impairments and cochlear implants, which she said adds time requirements for speech and technical support.

Carey asked the board to consider a replacement 12–15 passenger van for the Community Life and Bridge to Life transition programs; she said the current vehicle is a 2016 Ford that no longer meets program needs. She noted the van purchase was not included in the current operating budget request but said she would like the board to consider it when numbers are finalized.

The board asked follow‑up questions about program exits vs. new identifications, the district’s percentage of students spending time with non‑disabled peers, and potential inter‑district collaborations for specialized programs. Carey said the district is recognized as increasing time with non‑disabled peers and that about 65.9% of students (most recent public reporting) spent 79% or more of the day with non‑disabled peers; she said she would try to locate updated figures.

Nut graf: The presentation framed the increase in special‑education spending as driven by rising enrollment and higher per‑student costs for specialized placements and services, and it included specific staffing requests (0.5 counselor, two SLPAs) and program needs (replacement van, AAC support) the administration says are necessary to serve students and contain out‑of‑district placements.

Carey repeatedly stressed that keeping students in district when appropriate both improves students’ experience and is often less expensive than long‑term out‑of‑district placements. She said the district continues to prepare families for adult services and that the transition coordinator holds parent information nights and agency fairs to help families access state services such as the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS).

The board did not vote on any staffing requests at the meeting; members asked for further breakdowns and historical data (e.g., numbers of students exiting versus entering special education year to year, more detail on per‑student out‑placement costs) before formal decisions. Administration said those data points and grant line‑item totals appear in the budget book and will be shared again for the next session.

Ending: Administrators said they will return with the requested details at a future budget session this week; Carey emphasized the district’s goal to increase students’ time with non‑disabled peers while addressing staffing and equipment shortages that she said limit the district’s capacity to keep all students in district.","Presenters told the Board of Education that special-education spending will rise next year because enrollment and student needs are increasing; administrators requested a half-time counselor and two speech‑language assistant positions and outlined out‑of‑district costs and reliance on IDEA grant funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board briefed on aging buildings, maintenance needs and capital priorities

Transportation and technology services push support‑services budget higher

District asks for 9–12 science and math coordinator as high‑school workloads grow

Cheshire board hears rising special-education costs, requests for counselors and speech assistants