[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6072980,"mediaKeyId","3000701-fd65485b1bcad592bcc77d5473a02f5d","parentId",3000701,"title","Board approves 2025–26 budgets, capital request and accepts teacher resignation","audioSeconds",3242,"startMs",8574000,"endMs",11816000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000701-fd65485b1bcad592bcc77d5473a02f5d&start=8574&end=11816","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000701-fd65485b1bcad592bcc77d5473a02f5d/thumbnail_8574000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6072980/Connecticut/Board-approves-202526-budgets-capital-request-and-accepts-teacher-resignation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072980-986930d2a7a5fec72398a0b8ab0a3f9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775217022&Signature=RryxiSoNNGIhT7UYIAaJSwiPDadku4fExn~e4d094H4S40IZO4tlAVT7l45bvtlLNbMPc6IvS7o6WtOS-b65VkfcVml0XaiHPw8d5lPzCOvekmlxegEktJ4-GCdw35vyEMdtTydXi7xIVCJBjpieaGcB6ifuaXZwoa2QNqtubdNDiOewZ3ffb7gKB~VqBZAwGLEWsNnC1KsZGXEAGbttWVbov0QYh91clGLk7qs10TtanTvVedguW4lpZzvk6MJBkOj4j0ZTxRNbT0q2ct80n10dvo29ajAXM3xKpq0qoFr9fAqwQscuyuQLjg-Qn9bhl3sn8Ai49yqhutFOj7PbXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wallingford Public Schools","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Wallingford Board of Education on Feb. 24 approved multiple routine and capital items for the 2025–26 fiscal year and accepted a teacher resignation.

Budget approvals
- Operating budget: The board approved the proposed 2025–26 operating budget of $122,572,174, a 3.86% increase over the prior year. The vote was taken by roll call; Board Member Missus Reyes voted no, and the motion carried on the remaining recorded votes.
- Food services: The board approved the 2025–26 food‑services budget, with expenditures of $2,632,553. The motion passed on roll call with recorded yes votes.
- Capital request: The board approved the 2025–26 capital request totaling $33,985,601 to be submitted to the town as part of the municipal capital planning process. The motion carried on roll call.

Personnel
- Resignation accepted: The board accepted the resignation of Sarah Bambaka, an elementary art teacher, effective March 12, 2025. The board was told the position will be posted and filled; staff confirmed the vacancy is currently posted for applicants.

Other routine business
- Consent agenda: The board approved consent agenda items 7.1 through 7.7 by motion and voice vote earlier in the meeting. No items were removed from the consent agenda.

Votes at a glance
- Operating budget (2025–26): $122,572,174 — approved (roll call; Missus Reyes voted no).
- Food‑services budget (2025–26): $2,632,553 — approved (roll call; unanimous per recorded vote).
- Capital request (2025–26): $33,985,601 — approved (roll call; unanimous per recorded vote).
- Resignation of Sarah Bambaka (elementary art teacher), effective 2025‑03‑12 — accepted (voice vote).
- Motion requiring two community outreach sessions prior to a vote on educational specifications — approved (roll call).

Officials said the budgets will proceed through the town’s budget review process and that the capital request will be included in the district’s submission to municipal leaders. The board’s acceptance of the teacher resignation included confirmation the district is recruiting to fill the vacancy.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wallingford Public Schools Board of Education Meeting - February 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its Feb. 24 meeting the Wallingford Board of Education approved the district operating and food‑services budgets for 2025–26, approved the capital request list and accepted the resignation of an elementary art teacher. One board member voted against the operating budget.","taxTitle","Wallingford School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",38279,"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},6072985,"Board mandates two community outreach sessions before voting on single‑high‑school educational specs",4186,3574000,7760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000701-fd65485b1bcad592bcc77d5473a02f5d&start=3574&end=7760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000701-fd65485b1bcad592bcc77d5473a02f5d/thumbnail_3574000.jpg","/articles/6072985/Connecticut/Board-mandates-two-community-outreach-sessions-before-voting-on-singlehighschool-educational-specs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072985-fa37489c9b4f1f535288aa6ac766c3fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775217022&Signature=CUV-s9IjSigC~PMrt2iTk917j6dDkDZozsg2507KpJYP~M5x1Fj98PwJTJD2tL4AZx52Ihwxu~GSzIVRRJUAa~W1YaLPqDRY2mMp2V5U6if2llMXUhB24-H03RsMYExAFAVa5ALgoJ0Dj0bPpHsT-kWvBTSS4YGl~JAxyp1N7QpOgJOHstrtBWRq4NY0H5AlsxR8SeL1yGmq3bnqc~WGnjdluK5BENg~x~frLFRmxB15y7HmaBnhlRF7rb0G8gGi7VioxpKfxdEhF5fd6WjlMrx4drNtonAZChsByuwz4k~I~luu8iGyGGcbX7fAyDv0WZID9ExfI2sy-1idPyMREA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wallingford Board of Education on Feb. 24 voted to require at least two community outreach sessions before the board will vote on educational specifications for a proposed single high school.

The motion, made by Board member Versace and seconded from the floor, passed by roll call after several board members said community engagement must precede final action on the education specifications prepared by SLAM Architects and Colliers. The superintendent and staff said the consultants have provided draft documents and offered to support forums; Colliers representative Chuck Warrington was named as a contact but the firm advised additional hours and fees would likely be required if it attends every outreach meeting.

Board discussion spanned the process, the timeline and dependencies that affect site selection and cost estimates. Administrators and consultants cautioned that approving final educational specifications is typically needed to produce a reliable construction cost estimate; superintendent Belizzi explained that the specifications drive building size and therefore the project’s estimated cost and allowable state reimbursement levels. Colliers and SLAM have already gathered input from staff via 19 topical meetings the district ran with department leaders; several board members said they want broader public engagement and suggested a mix of in‑person and virtual sessions, plus outreach to PTOs, Rotary and community organizations.

Board members also discussed whether consultants should facilitate the forums. Some board members argued the consultants’ expertise in community engagement makes their presence desirable and worth paying for; others argued district staff could run sessions using consultant guidance. Versace asked Colliers to provide an exact accounting of hours already used in their contract and any additional cost for further outreach, and the superintendent said staff would obtain that breakdown.

On dates for outreach, the superintendent proposed several Wednesday evenings (March 12, March 26, April 9 and April 23) and suggested a combination of Sheehan and Lyman Hall auditoriums with virtual options. The board passed the motion that outreach sessions must occur before a vote on the ed specs; members said they expect staff to schedule and advertise the sessions and to seek timely consultant participation where possible.

Board members also reiterated that site selection is a related but distinct process: potential property negotiations will be handled in executive session to avoid compromising purchase price and because public disclosure of a prospective site can prompt competing bids. The board agreed to receive an executive‑session update on the sites considered when staff have a briefing to share.

No final decisions about pools, planetariums, or other add‑ons were made at the meeting; board members noted those choices affect the reimbursement rate and overall price and said such tradeoffs will be part of later deliberations after community feedback and site analysis.","After months of discussion, the Wallingford Board of Education voted to hold at least two community outreach sessions before it will vote on educational specifications for a proposed single high school. Board members and the superintendent debated timing, consultant roles and site selection during a prolonged discussion.",{"_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},6072990,"Wallingford board hears widespread public opposition after plan to reduce middle‑school art staff",1255,1003000,2258000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000701-fd65485b1bcad592bcc77d5473a02f5d&start=1003&end=2258","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000701-fd65485b1bcad592bcc77d5473a02f5d/thumbnail_1003000.jpg","/articles/6072990/Connecticut/Wallingford-board-hears-widespread-public-opposition-after-plan-to-reduce-middleschool-art-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072990-e946aaff0327fe75dd51afc49dac4fba/orig.mp4?Expires=1775217022&Signature=k4tMPO5WwkhSFfvSBu9wIFRJOzFuSYCTwUV-e1U2e0rrMp4TuixBZVppvV5iPWdiY3E33YpxXHH1tSra6Cuq49su0qRkVh6NMV8yVXFHb7nsUDjszVqQqAYBZM1yFE6zE~Z5u~5GqbQKPe4vzX8RWolHA~~UvWXArsJpTlW3b2xhlsO8Pkty5zOR7yChYd7MhbEuTGBVMFV4BPIXMo~kdF5~0Qb6Y0O7LRtoROBqZlBJh9gABvBO1VFrQsFT-88sl55EuFpwArttXb2tFWw-P~fTVolEKxM2qhHFihyWOXm6SozSvbhPy7mRYM0PDonF9tohc185GM5e2W5rBjwzPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of parents, middle‑school students and the Wallingford Education Association pressed the Wallingford Board of Education on Feb. 24 to reverse a staffing decision they said will reduce access to art instruction at the district’s two middle schools. The most repeated plea: keep the current number of art teachers in place.

The public comment session began with Anne Veron Letterly, president of the Wallingford Education Association, who described teacher volunteers visiting board meetings to “talk about what's going on in our classes” and highlighted student achievements and extracurricular learning tied to arts instruction. Several students and parents followed with first‑hand accounts of how art courses influenced academic performance, career interests and extracurricular success.

The comments came in response to a central office staffing decision explained that evening by Superintendent Belizzi: one middle‑school art teacher is retiring and the district will not replace that position, so an art teacher will now travel between the two middle schools. “We are not looking to cut any of the programs,” Belizzi told the board, adding that the district plans to maintain current offerings while consolidating the staffed positions.

Belizzi and district administrators said the change is an attrition decision tied to enrollment and budget planning. They told the board there are currently four middle‑school art teachers; after retirement, three will remain and the average class size is expected to rise from about nine students to roughly 13. District staff emphasized that course offerings and program access are not being eliminated and that the schedule change was made with administrators after reviewing student numbers.

Concerned parents and students pressed several follow‑ups at the meeting. Students said combining classes has already affected course content and the variety of instruction available; one student said an AP and a drawing/painting class were combined and “we are losing valuable parts of each curriculum.” Parents asked whether the change would mean some students might never get art if they select band or chorus, and administrators explained how the middle‑school quarter system and encore block affect students who choose year‑long music programs.

Central office staff and building administrators described how the new quarter‑based schedule provides 16 encore opportunities over middle school and said most students who do not take band or chorus are able to access every encore offering. Mrs. Latour, a district staff member who explained the schedule details, said band and chorus are full‑year encore selections that occupy several encore slots and that administrators normally ask music students to prioritize art among their remaining choices.

Board members who spoke acknowledged the public concerns and promised follow‑up: the superintendent said the district will not cut programs, the central office will confirm scheduling impacts with building principals, and the open art position created by the resignation of elementary art teacher Sarah Bambaka will be posted and filled. Board members also encouraged families to stay engaged and asked staff to provide clearer communications about which classes students could expect to find under the revised staffing.

The board did not vote on any change to programming at the meeting. The administration said it will continue to monitor course enrollment and adjust scheduling where feasible, and that the retained three‑teacher staffing model is intended to preserve program breadth despite higher class averages.

Community members left the meeting urging the board to revisit the staffing decision if enrollment or scheduling changes make the consolidation of teacher time a barrier to student participation in art classes.","Dozens of parents and students urged the Wallingford Board of Education to keep middle‑school art staffing intact after district officials said one art teacher will retire and not be replaced, leaving three teachers to cover both middle schools. The superintendent said programming will be maintained but class sizes will rise.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves 2025–26 budgets, capital request and accepts teacher resignation

Board mandates two community outreach sessions before voting on single‑high‑school educational specs

Wallingford board hears widespread public opposition after plan to reduce middle‑school art staff