[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6072971,"mediaKeyId","3000704-c6757527a5cea511a3174fddc49e5b13","parentId",3000704,"title","Superintendent shares draft educational specifications for one consolidated high school; timeline targets grant filing June 30, 2026","audioSeconds",2323,"startMs",2863000,"endMs",5186000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000704-c6757527a5cea511a3174fddc49e5b13&start=2863&end=5186","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000704-c6757527a5cea511a3174fddc49e5b13/thumbnail_2863000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6072971/Connecticut/Superintendent-shares-draft-educational-specifications-for-one-consolidated-high-school-timeline-targets-grant-filing-June-30-2026","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072971-10c297525ddb07d20ef8d83670f48f4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175564&Signature=U4GQKeIVUVxu2oG5frgyDbnQI5pQkQ0SbkTJEpccoONp4gC69BKD~gzx6emYftpQZ532mKEZbDZEpahlReo7Ju1jNkmo8jZt5v3yY0S8iMuks4s6XuOlQkXeqgH9juyrHWOVjirJJM9RAO~lxTRO55y8W0BFXtj0xlTvBgMbczSGPB2xHT4GXCpt-quUtql3c5RiES2cQ5p9fmOAchhxlVTHSHf2BXfRDjKcYOZJq8GqbrWknhR-UyQI2g4vSMmE8dXBhF56H6upoARBPoJSpLyqaCOcwy9AD1A7whg0UrVKSdlMeiHP44P5-eAt4q3sHQpDZnvIARvGF0qd2Z8Cwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wallingford Public Schools","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","Superintendent Belizzi presented the draft educational specifications and stakeholder feedback for a proposed single consolidated high school and outlined next steps and timing toward a grant application.

Belizzi said the district received feedback from roughly 62 stakeholders (some provided multiple comments). Consultants Colliers and SLAM helped draft the specifications and run staff focus groups. The draft specifications are intended to define programmatic spaces, capacities and square footage for an approximately 1,600-student high school; items under discussion include auditorium size (about 800 seats in the draft), gym configuration (a main and auxiliary gym with a retractable divider), science labs, CTE spaces, counseling and file-storage strategies and potential community-use areas such as an optional pool.

Belizzi emphasized that class-size guidelines remain unchanged (board guideline of 25 students standard) and that programming decisions informed the space and equipment assumptions. She said the planetarium currently at Mark T. Sheehan High School is not included in the draft specifications; the district may retain access to an off-site planetarium if Sheehan’s facility remains available.

On schedule, Belizzi said the district is aiming to secure town funding authorization, refine site selection and submit a state grant application by June 30, 2026. If awarded and all phases proceed on Colliers’ timeline, the district estimates a tentative opening date for a consolidated high school in fall 2031. Colliers’ next tasks after a successful grant application would include final schematic design, permitting and bidding; the superintendent cautioned the timeline requires site identification and several studies (transportation, traffic, geotechnical, environmental) before town funding is requested.

Belizzi also noted the ASTE program (a separate, higher-reimbursement grant, currently estimated at about an 80% reimbursement rate) would require a separate application and ed-spec review.

Board members asked about community engagement, site updates and tours. Board member Regan asked that Colliers attend the Feb. 24 Board meeting to present a community-engagement timeline; Belizzi said she will attempt to schedule that and will distribute the stakeholder comments and presentation materials to the public the following day. Regarding site selection, Belizzi said preliminary conversations have occurred with town officials, including the mayor and planning staff, but no site is yet viable to present publicly; she said executive-session conversations are expected as part of the site process. The district plans public walk-throughs and virtual options for the two existing high schools, with a Sheehan walkthrough scheduled for the last week of February.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wallingford Public Schools Operations Committee Meeting - February 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Belizzi reviewed stakeholder feedback on draft educational specifications for a proposed single consolidated high school, described the timeline to seek state reimbursement and noted ASTE remains a separate grant process.","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},6072976,"Facilities update: site study for Sheehan athletic complex, boilers arriving at Lyman Hall, concerns raised about Cook Hill portables",894,1714000,2608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000704-c6757527a5cea511a3174fddc49e5b13&start=1714&end=2608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000704-c6757527a5cea511a3174fddc49e5b13/thumbnail_1714000.jpg","/articles/6072976/Connecticut/Facilities-update-site-study-for-Sheehan-athletic-complex-boilers-arriving-at-Lyman-Hall-concerns-raised-about-Cook-Hill-portables","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072976-9fc01cc2a7de94f60e560dd8a109cf6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175564&Signature=ENARLyzOgpoarlsanrUYnlgTCEkf1qwN6o6XDA4OfiTrxkc2dONvUwVUV7TrLI9p7Q4c6mVhLX~y3lSynrrX02LKL9Y8GvatEONkOcOXaMksUU4R-poZARTu6ND-CXled191qgS0mGM1T7Z5gu01kp4iJzlthEUVpwsR6nVVHXJ7PhFXsUnLsTLFQXfbvyIsFj0mH0xVQZe001FQVv1dc0vUyJXoFTWP18FeUpFeDkcd9~scTotQL~dod1LaKJkq2UZnPsUag3m83KvJOVvVxIIMTZjxyI6qjKyebjEN8GdAY3WPhHPPKU1HAgbfE7vEWaMhrXqDOHQ0dEOp-K6pfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Facilities staff reported multiple project updates at the Feb. 10 operations meeting, including a civil-engineering study for the Mark T. Sheehan athletic complex, a pending boiler feed-tank installation at Lyman Hall, and continuing concerns about portable classrooms at Cook Hill.

Mark Deptula (facilities) said Titan Environmental’s civil-engineering report for the northern end of the Mark T. Sheehan athletic complex reached conclusions similar to District staff’s prior findings and recommended work to separate field drainage from the site wetlands — including excavation of wetland areas and rerouting the seasonal (dry) stream to flow directly to the wetlands rather than mingling with field drainage. Deptula said he will research whether state agencies (DEP) have performed similar work in other communities and whether state assistance would be available; if necessary the district will go out to bid.

On building systems, Deptula reported Lyman Hall’s third boiler is piped and ready but that the boiler-feed system requires a new feed tank and three pumps; staff expect delivery and installation of the feed tank by the end of the month after which the third boiler will be fully operational.

Board members raised alarm over Cook Hill portable classrooms. One board member recounted a parent’s report that an adult stepped through a classroom floor recently; Deptula said past problems have been caused by dry rot and shell leaks that allow water intrusion into plywood subfloors and that staff repair individual issues as they are found. Board members asked for a more proactive inspection program. Deptula said the town building department is not charged with that inspection type and that an engineering study would be required; the superintendent and staff agreed to investigate, verify recent repair records and provide an update to the Board within the week.

Other updates: the school sign shipment was damaged and is on hold, lockboxes were installed but additional key sets are still outstanding at police request, and the district received a preliminary plan from Silver Petrucelli & Associates for the 444 Fayetteville Boulevard project (adult education, Wallingford Transition Academy and central office) with an aggressive schedule aimed at fall 2025 occupancy for those programs. Staff noted the district’s lease for current offices runs through April 2026 and that the district is discussing potential earlier lease termination with town attorneys and the landlord.

Committee members requested that staff follow up with the town building inspector or commission an engineering inspection of the portables and report findings back to the Board.","Facilities staff summarized small-project statuses, a civil-engineering study for the Mark T. Sheehan athletic complex that recommends wetland work and rerouting a seasonal stream, boiler feed-system work at Lyman Hall due at month-end, and board members pressed for inspections of aging portable classrooms at Cook Hill.",{"_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},6072982,"School meals: January surplus, 68,524 meals served; state reimburses free breakfasts and reduced-price lunches",206,1187000,1393000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000704-c6757527a5cea511a3174fddc49e5b13&start=1187&end=1393","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000704-c6757527a5cea511a3174fddc49e5b13/thumbnail_1187000.jpg","/articles/6072982/Connecticut/School-meals-January-surplus-68524-meals-served-state-reimburses-free-breakfasts-and-reduced-price-lunches","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072982-32ef28005452501b582cff4ef2653dbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175564&Signature=cht0vOr~rGJ7G0IGVnSE5M~T13v8kD446gaDsxlnRQoEcfAy4d7xb-r3LJjoY4bNbsWXf2add-WGX9hvybeZPcFFHLn9-7mXaNYudTLj0y1eETxENFh3wmg71969-vm-ZTy~JDmqwUbbDDMTzei0C-ep8hcuaFPNdHdvR0sEbT~21co1e6x3rknzvJBUInbFHFABu6~~mIG7KRu5WRY-yGO~QmQAKxzcLR8BYKVs9p9xySZdVMmwJ~rPFHXShfShgDaVmRDcou7kEcVpZoiqTwkcHlwKuIA69ePqbvSFwXXQEUv2pnMt~PLVY5iMbkeM1-Q~C33EXeYA9B9NBuudHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Food-service staff told the Operations Committee the district ran a $62,666 operational surplus in January and has a year-to-date surplus of $17,310.

The presenter reported the department served 68,524 meals in January and expects approximately $152,739 in combined federal and state reimbursements for the month. The presenter noted the state will reimburse the district about $2,072 for free breakfasts and for providing free lunch to students previously eligible for reduced-price lunch.

Board member questions focused on whether federal reimbursements covered those free breakfasts and reduced-price conversions. Food-service staff clarified the state reimbursement noted in the presentation covers the free breakfast program and provides funding so that students eligible for reduced-price lunch receive lunch at no charge; federal reimbursements continue to flow for eligible free lunches that are actually served, while the state supplement covers the reduced-to-free difference.

Daniel Barone added the district also receives operating grants (Title I and others) and several million dollars in grant funding on the operating side; staff said they will monitor potential federal budget changes that could affect those grants.

The presenter summarized participation rates: elementary breakfast participation 23.5%, middle school breakfast 9.2%, high school breakfast 8.0%; lunch participation rates were 48.3% (elementary), 53.5% (middle) and 45.5% (high school). The committee took consensus to forward the food-service report to the full Board for Feb. 24.","District food-service staff reported a $62,666 surplus for January, year-to-date surplus of $17,310, 68,524 meals served in the month and expected state and federal reimbursements.",{"_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},6072986,"District explains 2% fund split; state security grant to cover radios and cameras at some schools",458,688000,1146000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000704-c6757527a5cea511a3174fddc49e5b13&start=688&end=1146","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000704-c6757527a5cea511a3174fddc49e5b13/thumbnail_688000.jpg","/articles/6072986/Connecticut/District-explains-2-fund-split-state-security-grant-to-cover-radios-and-cameras-at-some-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072986-11234cf0764d7aa04ceffbe60311bc68/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175564&Signature=fjzYDsgUjAomrld~L82U9D9BbfFX7kRBhw8DHJ6QV6pT3w--czvpj-CcyuMbv33J6V5rkJmWBJYHbXiYuLQyvXQ2eF9fZ3-DogYgMv1k4Ev4TKQsjTwwxpkxuXPhtJWaV7J-DLgtsM9tDZZAvhtWueX7uhv2747QnM~E26EIdZAuq~kfj1fOfbfLZJNbTHDTV-I~lARQAqNp7WSR1RY-ApwhCPptoy-H8aPbl-dq9smZzhbSWLxdBD1w22eJqbtwPMXA7VCklyCnCPhmiElJPXoqiXpZ3WEBPgjqJAZYVZtbOo2Es~KDc9JU2l7jyQEfaqSYIgMJq7fJR-TKkghCJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The district finance and operations staff explained changes to the 2% capital fund accounting and described how a recent state security grant will be used.

Daniel Barone told the committee he reorganized project 19007 to separate long-term camera and server items from a state security grant and moved the grant items into project 25103. Barone said the split is intended to give clearer transparency between ongoing capital equipment and grant-funded security purchases that had been bundled together in prior years.

Barone and facilities staff said the current state security grant covers multimodal radios (described in the presentation as the heavy-duty radios that can communicate with police and fire) and related components — chargers, batteries and base stations — for all 12 schools. The grant also funded cameras for two schools; staff said much of that work already was completed and that leftover grant money is earmarked for the school to which it was originally awarded and cannot be moved to another building.

Operations staff added that grant reimbursement is not always 100%: for this security grant the district expects a roughly 56% state share and a 44% local share. The group said security grants are tightly specified, and purchases must match the grant’s approved line items. Facilities staff said they plan to create a separate project for each future state security grant to avoid mixing grant items with long-lived capital purchases.

The committee discussed walkie-talkie replacement cycles (some radios are refreshed periodically and some are heavy-duty multimodal units) and that batteries and chargers are recurring costs. Staff noted cameras for the DAG vestibule remain a planned expense under the grant and that the grant’s match and procurement processes (bid requirements) govern how that money is spent.","District staff told the committee they reallocated items from an older project into a new 2% project code and that a state security grant will fund multimodal radios for all 12 schools and cameras at two schools, with local match required.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6072991,"Wallingford projects roughly $191,000 budget surplus; special-education deficit narrows",931,274000,1205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000704-c6757527a5cea511a3174fddc49e5b13&start=274&end=1205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000704-c6757527a5cea511a3174fddc49e5b13/thumbnail_274000.jpg","/articles/6072991/Connecticut/Wallingford-projects-roughly-191000-budget-surplus-special-education-deficit-narrows","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072991-e40daf306b357e668210acb2729bae5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175564&Signature=ING5Q2P~COJS52KHnN9pysJ3wXuBd-wNYj08P4YzL2R9UKkd8mNSlASAemUj~MOii9UjB8tyoHCgnVcSStx-PUNimbRxvWnMAcTH7pcIFe6lPY-P89mFEmEE7aK~LCNbg4BPz-lFp4GvO-f0FpcmQ78-JZg-g886kNAsRbrhgS9GLqh4HlV4FdLODaoNO2v3ivtc235Pli2Oi7H5C-8K3RHjHBuYmD5~DeDGkY24GAwz47zzCwSjhrXuOvBZ~Bc9tMfE0CoUxJQOX~DP47ErWQGHocJyOlFthS57OJx~YLhmdKK2yfPGnuoVMdc4O0RlViA6dHRODPNl5-sctDPS4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wallingford School District presented a January 2025 financial projection showing an improved position, with a roughly $191,000 projected surplus and several line-item shifts explained by district finance staff.

Daniel Barone, speaking as the district finance presenter, told the Operations Committee the $191,000 projection reflects savings in multiple accounts and that the district is not using its 2% set-aside for special education this month. Barone said benefits show a $73,000 increase in surplus, including about $25,000 tied to HSA contributions and additional savings from vacancies and employees declining coverage.

Barone reported the largest single change was an overall salaries increase of about $145,000. He broke that into three components: an increase in certified salaries tied to a large leave of absence, a roughly $63,000 reduction in noncertified payroll driven by vacancies, and projected surplus in substitute and seasonal accounts of about $60,000–$70,000.

On special education, Barone said the district reduced the special-education tuition shortfall by $169,000; he reported that tuition remains a deficit of $1,340,000. He also said the excess-cost grant projection was reduced by $109,000; combining the two items reduced the overall special-education projection by nearly $60,000 compared with the prior month.

Transportation showed a $16,000 decrease in surplus; Barone noted frequent month-to-month movement in that account as vehicle purchases and vehicle-use days change. Utilities moved in mixed directions: an $18,000 decrease in overall utilities surplus after the power company’s power-cost-adjustment for electricity more than doubled from December to January, while the district expects some natural gas and oil savings. Unemployment changes were minor.

Barone closed by saying contingency and the district’s waterfall plan remain unchanged at this time and invited questions. No formal budget action was taken at the Operations meeting; the committee later took consensus to forward the financial and food-service reports (agenda items 4.1 and 4.2) to the full Board for the Feb. 24 meeting.

Barone’s full projection materials remain in the district’s Munis year-to-date report and linked handouts for the Board.","Finance staff reported a projected $191,000 surplus for the school district through January 2025 while special-education tuition remains a significant deficit though the projection improved this month.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent shares draft educational specifications for one consolidated high school; timeline targets grant filing June 30, 2026

Facilities update: site study for Sheehan athletic complex, boilers arriving at Lyman Hall, concerns raised about Cook Hill portables

School meals: January surplus, 68,524 meals served; state reimburses free breakfasts and reduced-price lunches

District explains 2% fund split; state security grant to cover radios and cameras at some schools

Wallingford projects roughly $191,000 budget surplus; special-education deficit narrows