[{"_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",6194392,"mediaKeyId","3864393-a7aded83980bdd9acf2d84a90f9f8c8a","parentId",3864393,"title","Board adopts 2025–26 operating budget amid commissioner concerns over outside contracts and nonprofit funding","audioSeconds",148,"startMs",3302000,"endMs",3450000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864393-a7aded83980bdd9acf2d84a90f9f8c8a&start=3302&end=3450","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864393-a7aded83980bdd9acf2d84a90f9f8c8a/thumbnail_3302000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6194392/Connecticut/Board-adopts-202526-operating-budget-amid-commissioner-concerns-over-outside-contracts-and-nonprofit-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194392-05550890f9ae1bc559f45ab1b4db6e07/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450791&Signature=cfhy4qA2oh6ASD1R9jyMgyt4VFJmp0ZyRTEjpi8j7rW-qMi9Ax5fu9pw4phuuoYUFX4Q2w3rn4g8zyh86MdA6DWuyEaLqbCk0BiSkitfMKjSfyj62-dpLO5ZIeXvO2LtRXzVrNJPVELpVplPzSldFASOj2HKORFS6GgWkoXw-MLoQjo4GGUsQOMAIzAOp7fX-O9Jww8ulmW3PE1LtdreHeB4fPVDCgvcqlxZhYuPaFsk31AsiKZXkAwPKdzrRlYtKcPs3wKUuZGqkVkTEXWqqmQTQLRcLa0uWqSC0QOzT65-dLxZcuOKx~yXBXx8WALHoWAvdW~qrgiWeANec~YO-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Waterbury School District","date","2025-06-19T09:12:53.507Z","article","The Waterbury Board of Education adopted transfers to the current fiscal-year budget and approved the district's 2025–26 operating budget at its June 18 meeting after extended discussion.

Commissioner Orso moved the budget and the motion was seconded; the board recorded the motion, conducted discussion and the motion carried. The meeting minutes show the board approved several specific transfers earlier on the agenda, then voted to adopt the next fiscal year's operating budget.

Why it matters: The operating budget determines staffing, classroom services and district contracting for the coming school year. Several commissioners and staff framed the vote as finalizing the district's spending plan while acknowledging ongoing pressures in special education and personnel costs.

Key debate points: Commissioner Van Stone delivered an extended critique of several long-running district expenditures and nonprofit partnerships. She raised several concerns and numerical claims during the discussion:

- Rental and facilities: She questioned a rental arrangement for a Harper Avenue property and criticized the district's payment of property taxes on that rental, saying the rental cost approaches $150,000 annually and urged the district to seek city-owned alternatives or review the contract before its expiration the next school year.

- Palace Theater funding: Van Stone criticized a longstanding $250,000 annual payment to the nonprofit Palace Theater Group to support events at the Palace Theater (a city-owned facility), saying she believes that level of regular district funding is inappropriate.

- Waterbury Promise: She characterized recent Waterbury Promise funding as heavily supported by public dollars and said the district contributes $500,000 from its operating budget, plus an earlier $250,000 this year; she urged the nonprofit to pursue private fundraising and questioned the administration of scholarship dollars (these were framed as her observations and criticisms during debate).

- Special education staffing: Van Stone argued the district needs more behavioral technicians and paraprofessionals and said support staff vacancies have driven classroom strain; she stated that making BT and para positions more attractive would reduce turnover and noted a claim that one para left for another district for an extra $3 per hour.

Board and staff response: Other commissioners acknowledged the concerns and thanked finance staff for detailed budget explanations over recent committee meetings. Interim Superintendent Dr. Schwartz and finance staff noted progress in reducing vacancies and highlighted ongoing efforts to direct resources to early-childhood and special-education needs.

Board action and outcome: After discussion, the board approved the listed transfers and adopted the 2025–26 operating budget; the minutes show the vote carried with the standard recorded voice vote but do not list a roll-call tally in the transcript excerpt.

Ending: Commissioners requested further review of rental contracts and nonprofit funding arrangements; several asked that the administration report back to the finance committee on alternatives and vacancy mitigation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Waterbury Board of Education Meeting - June 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Waterbury Board of Education adopted transfers and the 2025–26 operating budget after debate. Commissioner Van Stone raised concerns about rental payments, Palace Theater funding and contributions to Waterbury Promise, and urged reallocation toward special-education support staff.","taxTitle","Waterbury School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",14343,"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},6194397,"Board names Bridge to Success local governance partner for Early Start; district to be fiduciary pass-through",294,2876000,3170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864393-a7aded83980bdd9acf2d84a90f9f8c8a&start=2876&end=3170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864393-a7aded83980bdd9acf2d84a90f9f8c8a/thumbnail_2876000.jpg","/articles/6194397/Connecticut/Board-names-Bridge-to-Success-local-governance-partner-for-Early-Start-district-to-be-fiduciary-pass-through","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194397-933a4b25b64968736e3e47baf471ceda/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450791&Signature=Wiquvt-0uLYGr2-0nV36rdUdZAfT9swEEc3qZ5gLbOjM9omcCDnnQGpo-FqptUxKDwXxEDfFbf67mhqRo2-nXtonCvT1hOHyOYNp6xMjZiA~oj4rFoCilfQFsIox8RrwWAE2IN9TWjMe48SGQ77dG071se8N69-2LVmCRtnuBqYfP-mCaBK4-xhOZBvGv-OtEmeboikVlJmdaqwB6wdauGVzA8jL9bZGFpWngmjXOSoZjZa67~S4ngb~dfATZ3pzXRed~2tTBCgwFu-E-WAb~-75UNOu8lNC30JxZ~yf9L6fxFOs3m2KA6pOssaxpD30U5b5~H7KqAB88aXIzuNPyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Waterbury Board of Education voted June 18 to approve the fiduciary form for the district's Early Start Local Governance Partner (LGP), formalizing Bridge to Success as the community partner that will oversee Early Start activities under new state rules.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Schwartz and district staff told the board that recent state legislation replaces the former \"school readiness council\" structure with a Local Governance Partner model under Early Start Connecticut. Maureen (district staff) and other speakers said Bridge to Success — an organization already active in Waterbury preschool and family outreach programs — will serve as the LGP and handle pass-through funding and coordination with community providers.

Why it matters: The change alters how early-childhood funding and program oversight are organized locally. Under the approved arrangement, the state contract will flow through the LGP, with Bridge to Success managing program relationships with community providers while the district serves as the fiduciary pass-through in the near term.

Discussion highlights: Staff clarified that the arrangement is organizational, not a reduction in local preschool programs: the district will continue to operate Early Start-funded classrooms and community partners (YMCA, Easterseals, New Opportunities and others) will still deliver services. Staff said the biggest change is that funding will follow a contract model with the LGP rather than the previous grant-based school-readiness council model; some position titles and administrative responsibilities will be revised to meet state requirements.

Board action: The motion to approve the fiduciary form naming Bridge to Success as the LGP was seconded and carried with a routine recorded vote. Commissioner Ireland and other board members noted community outreach sessions and encouraged families to attend Bridge to Success public conversations.

Ending: District staff said families and community providers will be kept informed as the new LGP structure takes effect.","The Waterbury Board of Education approved a fiduciary form to designate Bridge to Success as the Local Governance Partner (LGP) under the state's Early Start changes, shifting administration of certain early-childhood resources.",{"_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},6194400,"Board approves short-term busing amendment to keep out-of-town magnet seats filled",241,2278000,2519000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864393-a7aded83980bdd9acf2d84a90f9f8c8a&start=2278&end=2519","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864393-a7aded83980bdd9acf2d84a90f9f8c8a/thumbnail_2278000.jpg","/articles/6194400/Connecticut/Board-approves-short-term-busing-amendment-to-keep-out-of-town-magnet-seats-filled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194400-ac666d31c361fffd0ce7d9bc65e4233d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450791&Signature=F4Jzxgy3lwKNz8QUDZyq2u2FU9NFV3Iw3VGKGEDRhy4w7weQFlqPkiOMZ~5662GPyKr74UOjBPw6LTqQMtLV9Z4wPlfzluOWtNI6lkeVSVFwKJgqtk0HKjVGHnlBrnxUFa68jUOPIAuxZ5UdvLfIV8BrGUqJXpxxUPL8044VJhelNo7fngSbeXd-rU~kMqKuynvmA1okKuZ50eE9Dz6UyEBYUDU79SP-8leYe8S~wWar7wcaRtyDJWrdqxMimWzyLl--DdyqcF2pmN0hNslDS27LLUMUjScytbK1vmHIK4p-z1m0Idy~NoURumH2u~91lAydyS-avY5b8supUhbzxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Waterbury Board of Education voted to approve an amendment to its student transportation services on June 18 that will maintain bus service for students from sending towns who attend the district's three magnet schools.

The change follows decisions by several sending districts, including Thomaston and Terryville, to stop providing transportation to Waterbury magnet schools. Commissioner Van Stone said the board's action was necessary to avoid losing seats in the magnet programs and to protect programming funded by state reimbursements.

District staff explained the arrangement will use the same per-bus rate previously paid by sending towns and that the district expects state reimbursement. A staff presentation said the district will seek state aid filed on form ED-021 and expects reimbursement at about $1,300 per student; the staff estimate shown at the meeting projected roughly $149,500 in state reimbursement in the near term and noted broader reimbursement projections (for all magnet students) could total about $774,000 based on current enrollment.

Why it matters: The board framed the amendment as preserving seats for Waterbury students at magnet schools and protecting related program funding; board members said losing magnet students could reduce state aid and programming capacity.

Discussion highlights: Commissioner Van Stone said Thomaston provided the required one-year notice while Terryville is in breach of contract; she called retaining the out-of-town students \"the right thing to do.\" A staff member (identified in the meeting as Nick) told commissioners that the private operator All Star currently provides transportation for those sending districts and offered to continue service at the same per-bus rate ($405 per bus per day, two buses in the example provided).

Board action: After discussion, a motion to approve the amendment was seconded and carried; the clerk recorded \"Abstain\" during the vote but did not announce a roll-call tally on the record.

Ending: Board members said parents had already been contacted and told the district was working on a solution; staff said they would notify partner districts to encourage continued enrollment at the magnet schools.

","The Waterbury Board of Education approved an amendment to student transportation services to continue busing students from neighboring districts to the city's magnet schools after sending districts announced they would stop busing.",{"_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},6194405,"Students, youth advocates urge more mentorship, job training to curb 'disconnected' teens",357,552000,909000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864393-a7aded83980bdd9acf2d84a90f9f8c8a&start=552&end=909","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864393-a7aded83980bdd9acf2d84a90f9f8c8a/thumbnail_552000.jpg","/articles/6194405/Connecticut/Students-youth-advocates-urge-more-mentorship-job-training-to-curb-disconnected-teens","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194405-4693431feaf93769ff31e0247730eaf0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450791&Signature=c0o7qxV3QJelD4~b0kS1qzpY4~9GBDtiqsve2dYp78ia6TXmU-OIK-W7tpUDjTpIZ1EhKPTQtfsmhZ0CoVBWefszehs-D8P5fe27l8j1kk~EfNzUV7ZkmuLvxaztx4Tj0hxQ8E7SEFnoItvZzLEYI3wQETLrJPxDCai9UOz~hOZ2SD2PQyUCPRTe33I7vonjL7PppICe9aOVOczQCsM8DviwjgN-xbJJV-kAQHULPZXt6DMNkC9BrCHuFZoup~U6Qsw8c8gxBZdK8PkWYn0sn4zxBb8Nrk6smaYCQYrltqmt2o4Q5bIAEhUdROFdsUNIAWPL5sBEZeKBpik5FR~qgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several students and youth advocates told the Waterbury Board of Education on June 18 that the city needs more mentorship, vocational training and reliable transportation to reduce the number of disconnected youth — young people who are not in school or work.

The students, who spoke during the public-comment portion of the board's meeting, described personal experiences and cited local survey results they said show barriers to participation in extracurriculars and career pathways. \"By investing in these types of programs, Waterbury can reduce the number of disconnected youth and empower the next generation to succeed,\" said Louis McConner, an 18-year-old resident who described how local programs helped his family after a house fire.

Why it matters: Board members often use public comment to hear community priorities that may inform program development or budget decisions. Several speakers tied their requests to access to jobs, internships and high school extracurriculars that they say connect students to scholarships and future employment.

Students asked the board for expanded vocational education, apprenticeships, summer jobs and stronger mentoring programs linked to local employers. Joseph French Graham, a recent Holy Cross High School graduate and member of Let Youth Lead (a youth advocacy group affiliated with Bridge to Success), said transportation gaps leave Williams students unable to attend sports and other activities at their home-district schools; he cited a survey he said found more than 60% of Williams students had missed practices or games because of transportation issues.

Other students made similar appeals: Destiny Hendricks, a 16-year-old from Waterbury Arts Magnet School, said Connecticut has roughly 119,000 disconnected youth and urged internships, job-training and mentorship to reconnect teens. Anaya Miller, a Holy Cross student, described long-term learning gaps after remote instruction during the pandemic and said supports to re-engage students are necessary.

A community member, Dominic Devino, spoke separately about school safety and said he is an advocate for metal detectors. He told the board he had discussed concerns with the mayor and superintendent and said he will \"hold you all accountable diplomatically\" if students are not kept safe.

Board response and next steps: Interim Superintendent Dr. Schwartz asked the district's director of college and career readiness to speak with the students after the meeting to follow up on internship and career-readiness requests. The board did not take formal action on the requests during the meeting.

Ending: The comments join other district-level conversations about summer programming and Waterbury Promise funding discussed elsewhere on the agenda.","At the Waterbury Board of Education meeting, multiple student speakers and a community advocate urged expanded mentorship, vocational programs and improved transportation to address local 'disconnected youth.'","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts 2025–26 operating budget amid commissioner concerns over outside contracts and nonprofit funding

Board names Bridge to Success local governance partner for Early Start; district to be fiduciary pass-through

Board approves short-term busing amendment to keep out-of-town magnet seats filled

Students, youth advocates urge more mentorship, job training to curb 'disconnected' teens