[{"_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",6047590,"mediaKeyId","3531819-5c9145b4430ba7f3786fa62cdcbc4685","parentId",3531819,"title","Middletown budget committee projects roughly $200,000 surplus; contracted substitutes and professional services drive several line deficits","audioSeconds",1177,"startMs",110000,"endMs",1287000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3531819-5c9145b4430ba7f3786fa62cdcbc4685&start=110&end=1287","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3531819-5c9145b4430ba7f3786fa62cdcbc4685/thumbnail_110000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6047590/Connecticut/Middletown-budget-committee-projects-roughly-200000-surplus-contracted-substitutes-and-professional-services-drive-several-line-deficits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6047590-81880977f66619418217f769c7063670/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141531&Signature=bkqm2frBTdg409VzKFwrhnhR9aI8G4IinE3V7vTudKExDe-kISXB7UEMdf4CsPcvjTmSG1ob7XCxk9CUjwVVAj6PjL2H-sLWxWT1-hK-MIlIrvB0eu2Ru4C3exVEnlpsYMExqHZD~MdF8MwKOm1HH0XA-3T7Ctal26yCf3S0RxQd18c5ZCoUSav4-BkMELbNWFBUn4rYpr3XfboGA-Ifyh3d2Hml7uNe-k069ihvFIsR1eYGcg-U99nKHu7y4DNJdV8BdccvYZJOIWN326Np~EKVcKm~KyPyipADEngqh-1-jT259du6iKWEAaNY0Vz4bn4aIQT2rKrmFvLmvKKwqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Middletown School District","date","2025-05-13T00:00:00Z","article","During a meeting of the Middletown Board of Education budget committee, district finance staff said the district currently projects a surplus of about $200,000 for the fiscal year but identified several line items that will likely require appropriation adjustments for 2025–26.

Natalie, district finance staff, told the committee, “at this time, we're anticipating $200,000 as a surplus,” and said the figure is conservative because multiple purchase orders remain open as schools and departments finalize invoices.

The committee heard that a projected $226,000 deficit appears on the professional education services line, which reflects spending on contracted providers such as ESS and Soliant for services including speech and language and occupational therapy. Natalie said many of those services are provided by outside vendors and that “the rate is significantly higher” than the equivalent cost of hiring district staff.

Board members discussed a $68,000 projected deficit in long-term substitute pay, and Natalie attributed that shortfall to expenses charged through vendor-provided substitute services. Committee members asked whether the district should consider hiring in‑house “floaters” instead of repeatedly paying higher vendor rates; Natalie and Dr. Matos said the idea should be examined in next year’s budgeting process.

Other line-item highlights presented by Natalie included a roughly $95,000 surplus on lunch and duty aids (line 51713) and a nearly $800,000 projected savings on pupil transportation. Natalie cautioned that the transportation savings reflect a one-time credit stemming from a previously approved contract extension and “will not be in next year's budget.”

The packet also shows transfers: a $20,697 transfer to create match funds for a Department of Administrative Services grant to install a handrail at Kegwin School, and a set of facilities and athletics transfers that together total $54,872. Natalie described the transfers as line-to-line adjustments to address end‑of‑year needs.

Committee members asked about a roughly 20 percent increase in tuition paid to private providers; Natalie said three additional students recently moved into town and now require significant services, which is driving that rise.

Discussion: committee members and staff distinguished between one-time credits and recurring costs, and they emphasized the need to review contracted services versus hiring options when preparing next year’s budget. No new appropriations or ordinance votes were taken during the meeting.

Next steps: staff will continue to reconcile open purchase orders, provide more detail on transportation and other one-time variances, and bring recommended appropriation adjustments for the 2025–26 budget cycle.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Middletown Budget Committee Meeting 5/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","During a meeting of the Middletown Board of Education budget committee, district finance staff said the district currently projects a surplus of about $200,000 for the fiscal year but flagged multiple line-item deficits driven by contracted substitutes and professional services.","taxTitle","Middletown School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",58072,"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},6047576,"Middletown VOAG program secures Perkins supplemental and Community Foundation grants for animal shelters and bird‑habitat projects",168,2792000,2960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3531819-5c9145b4430ba7f3786fa62cdcbc4685&start=2792&end=2960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3531819-5c9145b4430ba7f3786fa62cdcbc4685/thumbnail_2792000.jpg","/articles/6047576/Connecticut/Middletown-VOAG-program-secures-Perkins-supplemental-and-Community-Foundation-grants-for-animal-shelters-and-birdhabitat-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6047576-dcf6af6519b5fba0136dd215828bd107/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141531&Signature=nYViJ-R7MSEGWJDkspZL5KFIxpGZUYIGM~KlpCpN-WqSPezKmQZfAGP8RPqHITB2awYOZAoYQCUKcgsZr3sA5V5EtpUeCbvdvmcQr9sUup5gVvueyE2hNhpe-GsJ1N2XIMZlmV70g7kxIHf0aQ3Lu6H9KU-awQLr0nbH0DOye6bcTeNGVIf5C~4l0EBjaPARmyGDhHR3wE6KZVewWOcbK~9t~5LVOsWPvv0hbAs~ROk027LqU4YqFN92S2NKwtfnpk5aPFSRiyS5XjfQj-RFg-y7LpZJ9DIbRdDZ0R9j4Mx3cWZtyavjf8AVUfF4~F9lsP9-RtZvVdRQYZ8Suu7uVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff told the Middletown Board of Education budget committee that the VOAG (vocational agriculture) program received multiple grants to support outdoor education and animal care at the Kegwin field area.

Natalie, district finance staff, said a Perkins supplemental award of “just under $50,000” will fund two run‑in sheds, movable fencing and related materials so animals can be kept on the Kegwin field rather than boarded elsewhere during vacations. Natalie said the sheds are simple three‑sided shelters and that movable fencing allows staff to rotate animals to fresh pasture.

Administrators also described a Community Foundation grant supporting migratory‑bird habitat work; staff and students have installed duck boxes with cameras so students can observe nesting and eggs hatching. Natalie confirmed the bird project was the one covered in a recent Middletown Press story about students working with Miss Thompson.

Staff noted the VOAG program also pursued other small grants for a pergola, fencing and outdoor education infrastructure. The district said it will continue coordinating with athletic staff to preserve playing fields while adding the VOAG features on the periphery.

Next steps: vendors and materials will be procured, and funders were expected to visit the site in the coming weeks to see student work and program progress.","District staff said Perkins supplemental funding (under $50,000) will buy two run‑in sheds and movable fencing for VOAG animal care; a Community Foundation grant will fund migratory‑bird monitoring and educational activities.",{"_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},6047580,"Middletown seeks state approvals, notwithstanding language for Kegwin School asbestos abatement and renovations",118,2177000,2295000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3531819-5c9145b4430ba7f3786fa62cdcbc4685&start=2177&end=2295","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3531819-5c9145b4430ba7f3786fa62cdcbc4685/thumbnail_2177000.jpg","/articles/6047580/Connecticut/Middletown-seeks-state-approvals-notwithstanding-language-for-Kegwin-School-asbestos-abatement-and-renovations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6047580-994181b2ec7ed0c4f3449c7c3ba14873/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141531&Signature=lnSGOnjOWtlsb15D-h8FqyTrm50pOLHzVYK-a0xUqTVL3v~2iGJ0FGssopQY5E42r03kDLJE~DzdJ0kwj-cY-sU~lGd-zDvkMJ~f~jQWnn6jb8XxvrJF6YRBM-H6p-f~c8bEMX3RIvaYK11GjAcrM85TLgqTjNR3Z9~oq2d7iJFStpixs29BVydQpODmrhoBVFvzRz7ocuIj7ABlBJdxkkGiXocJq6azBlf~MTyZ1A8R6nNxmwz~bFoSqwFIqqTz9Tn2gOVnWWx4JGo9m6SN3Tx5vAr-iHz2EBbGTfVyxNo0B58IijiNL0DKQ9tLPfNfpPmF9TaGv0KJ8VOxrd1Zkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District administrators updated the Middletown Board of Education budget committee on plans and pending state approvals for work at Kegwin School, which will be reclassified from a middle school to a K–12 population for next year.

Natalie, district finance staff, said the district needs to confirm the projected school population before submitting two state applications (for asbestos abatement and handrails on three staircases). She noted the Department of Administrative Services accepts such applications on a monthly window—the first through the tenth—and the district is coordinating with state contacts to complete submission.

Dr. Matos said the city reallocated previously dedicated funds to cover an HVAC unit for the library/media area and reallocated remaining funds to the match portion of the asbestos application; he said these were reallocations rather than new funds. The district is also working with Senator Lesser’s office on “notwithstanding” language that would extend deadlines (for example the June 30 deadline) and allow the district to assemble quotes and documentation for larger renovation items to be submitted as a package.

Planned but not yet authorized work includes a basketball/blacktop area, chain‑link fencing, and network wiring drops in classrooms to support teaching devices. Administrators said some questions sent to the Department of Administrative Services required legal review and that the district is awaiting answers before proceeding with additional applications.

Clarifying details provided in the meeting included a previously approved transfer of $20,697 to provide the local match for the handrail grant and a plan to pursue state reimbursement for renovation work at the standard rate of 66.07 percent if approved.

Next steps: staff will finalize the updated student population for Kegwin, await responses from DAS to outstanding questions, submit the asbestos and handrail applications in the next applicable monthly window, and continue discussions with Senator Lesser’s office about extending deadlines for a renovation package.","District staff said they will submit two state applications for Kegwin School (asbestos abatement and handrailing) once the school's projected K–12 population is confirmed; administrators are also pursuing additional notwithstanding language and state reimbursement at 66.07% for larger renovation items.",{"_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},6047585,"Middletown officials warn 21st Century grant cuts could reduce after‑school services; district to apply for limited state grants",147,1825000,1972000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3531819-5c9145b4430ba7f3786fa62cdcbc4685&start=1825&end=1972","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3531819-5c9145b4430ba7f3786fa62cdcbc4685/thumbnail_1825000.jpg","/articles/6047585/Connecticut/Middletown-officials-warn-21st-Century-grant-cuts-could-reduce-afterschool-services-district-to-apply-for-limited-state-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6047585-7823ffbd37492a4b8109217cde5b2114/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141531&Signature=HPNTRruTWu7GL30FkKrdI6aaUuXPPvghISRvRGQe0HZfK9PlRO2KLibYci09S-Hem-excTOUGsEgpyZ90MbVyPHBLlRg535jCDpDsJty7yo0Zc0dvhAwoAmPb-wFuChiK9JxofV-j0tbMhmsh1JEP2Jst5FR8XUQ2bRlUpCcw7doy7EM-2C3wJeq1haSM~-n1LFmH2-TUvVU7n8SJiRaj3rDOevtRNJJcRoNkdaGW0WUytvWD9IQXTcTSilAx1qhfi6KIOBC86FkrWqylK3Vm5mLPZD85peXGrvrfMAQk-99l2Ja8oHEd8NtWwZgNvqnEcBmGDOZfwqQ4bwjqkicMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District administrators told the Middletown Board of Education budget committee that federal reductions to 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st C) funding have jeopardized after‑school programs that previously relied on multi‑year federal grants.

Dr. Matos, district administrator, said, “what we learned last week is that the federal government had zeroed out our 21c ... The impact on our district is somewhere in the range between $450,000 and $500,000.” He added that while some state funding may be available next year, the amounts and duration are uncertain.

Natalie, district finance staff, explained that the state after‑school grant cycle the district plans to pursue limits applicants to three sites and offers smaller awards and two‑year terms compared with the prior federal grants. Natalie said the district will prepare three state grant applications that are due in the coming weeks and named Spencer, Snow Farm Hill and McDonough as priorities for continued funding partnerships.

Administrators said after‑school participation has increased about 35 percent this year and that the programs now combine enrichment and targeted academic support, including one‑on‑one tutoring. Dr. Matos and Natalie emphasized these programs’ role in addressing learning loss and social‑emotional needs.

The broader entitlements picture remains unsettled: staff said the district’s IDEA application is posted in the state e‑grants system but Title I and other federal entitlement grant amounts are not yet populated. Natalie and Dr. Matos also warned of continued uncertainty around USDA child‑nutrition support and whether the state will pursue policy changes to support universal meal programs (CEP).

Next steps: the district will submit three state after‑school grant applications, continue to monitor federal and state entitlements, and report back to the board as award decisions become known.","District leaders said a recent federal reduction to 21st Century Community Learning Center funding could cut $450,000–$500,000 from after‑school programming; staff plan to apply for constrained state grants and prioritize three sites if state funding is available.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Middletown budget committee projects roughly $200,000 surplus; contracted substitutes and professional services drive several line deficits

Middletown VOAG program secures Perkins supplemental and Community Foundation grants for animal shelters and bird‑habitat projects

Middletown seeks state approvals, notwithstanding language for Kegwin School asbestos abatement and renovations

Middletown officials warn 21st Century grant cuts could reduce after‑school services; district to apply for limited state grants