[{"_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",5972047,"mediaKeyId","5864043-d6056922292436fabca0a3c5b3d6cd90","parentId",5864043,"title","Wallingford board hears updated cost, reimbursement scenarios for proposed single high school; approves test‑fit study","audioSeconds",8000,"startMs",1645000,"endMs",9645000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5864043-d6056922292436fabca0a3c5b3d6cd90&start=1645&end=9645","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5864043-d6056922292436fabca0a3c5b3d6cd90/thumbnail_1645000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5972047/Connecticut/Wallingford-board-hears-updated-cost-reimbursement-scenarios-for-proposed-single-high-school-approves-testfit-study","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972047-4ab2e49bec484aed4471dbd58a733bde/orig.mp4?Expires=1773582327&Signature=Jh3qcntdKYncLZGjokxnJ5ot2FAj72pIr5E55V8NwcpS90MfZ0asuBeenSCDGGpChGFW8BWKaTQEHGgvcvngMzT4U2OP4o1TtXky9BnS~NCKWfsoUjPFUsivy1~R1ylNjEISTxupVJ9dOrgfxfFaPf-d2Q0NMVWK7XkZ~OFxe8GbB01daij~JQFvclH~VJ60L3Mq1uxrX2vpEjw0z3XWRnAj3nBTwkCIvaqb4PmLrO-VGCq1Bi7rQHyx1DYKbce2Iyve79JqkWxrydoAejGRyOtOncg3efb14dtNrrLSWJHdX7qrWV80mPel7laQHcoJe0dS~MOAnkiiFkHfY-oE4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wallingford School District","date","2025-09-30T14:11:21Z","article","The Wallingford Board of Education on Sept. 29 heard updated square‑footage, cost and state reimbursement scenarios for a potential single high school and voted to approve a site test‑fit study to be paid from the district contingency fund. The board approved the test‑fit motion by roll call, with seven members voting yes and two voting no.

Board members and the district's consultants told the board the revised packet corrects earlier square‑footage and cost errors and applies the state's newly issued 2026 reimbursement rates. Scott Pelham of Colliers presented the corrected square footage totals and explained arithmetic and transcription errors in prior materials; Superintendent Danielle Belizzi and Colliers then reviewed the budget estimates and the effect of the state's updated rates on the town's share.

The test‑fit motion matters because state reimbursement applies only to eligible construction costs and the reimbursement percentage drops when a proposed building exceeds the state's allowable square footage for a district. The board was told the state revised its calculation for 2026 in a way that narrowed the gap between renovation and new construction support: renovation reimbursement rose slightly (from about 54.28% for 2025 to 55.36% in the revised 2026 table), while the new construction reimbursement was presented as roughly 51.25% in the 2026 table. The presenters cautioned that those percentages represent the state's maximum support for eligible construction costs and do not apply to ineligible items (for example, work beyond the property line) or to limited eligible items (pools, turf fields, certain athletic facilities) that are reimbursed at a reduced rate.

Board members asked detailed questions. Pelham said a prior handout mistakenly listed classroom additional gross area as 5,585 square feet when the corrected figure is 11,002–11,093 square feet (the revised packet corrects that). He also said a numeric typo in an earlier estimate used 322,000 instead of 332,000; both errors were corrected in the updated packet. Pelham and Belizzi said cost escalation in the probable budget assumes compounded construction inflation of about 4.5% per year to a midpoint of construction (the packet assumes a construction midpoint around 2031 under the current schedule).

Pelham described how building size affects reimbursement. The board was told the state's formula determines an allowable building area (the packet used a threshold of 277,938 square feet). If the proposed gross area exceeds that threshold, a reduction factor applies and the district's reimbursement percentage declines; examples shown in the packet reduce the effective reimbursement for some options to the mid‑40s and low‑40s percentage range (one example for Option 4 showed an estimated effective reimbursement near 43.56%). Pelham stressed that these are estimates based on current state statutes and that some towns have sought legislative relief after a grant application is submitted.

Board members also discussed what the state considers nonreimbursable or limited eligible. Pelham said the state publishes guidance and that items such as movable equipment (for example, laptops that are taken home) can be ineligible, while built‑in items are more likely to be reimbursed. Pools and many athletic surface upgrades are treated as limited eligible (a pool was described as typically reimbursed at 50% of the district's rate, while turf fields generally are not reimbursed in current practice and are accounted for as a bid alternate so the district can document the delta).

The board approved a motion to authorize a test‑fit study to identify how candidate sites would accommodate the program options presented. Chair Dr. Roscoe made the motion and a second was recorded; the board took a roll call vote with the motion carrying (yes: Doring, Passaretti, Reed, Regan, Ross, Votto, Roscoe; no: Reyes, Versace). Board discussion preceding the vote included a statement from one member who said she would not support the study without knowing the site and multiple members who asked that the board cap the study authorization. The board recorded an estimated study cost in discussion as between $30,000 and $40,000; staff noted the district would use an on‑call contract with prebid rates for the work.

The agenda packet included several project cost scenarios and stated town and state shares for those scenarios. Superintendent Belizzi and Colliers said the packet shows a renovation option, several new construction options (with and without a pool and with added dedicated classrooms), and associated high‑low probable budgets; in one board exchange Reed cited an approximate town share figure of $222 million for the board's chosen Option 4 and roughly $251 million as the town share for a renovation option, as presented in the revised packet. Colliers warned that the state will not confirm renovation status until the district has filed a project and the state completes its review; to qualify for renovation status the district must demonstrate that renovating is cheaper than building new and that the building is structurally sound for an extended service life.

Board members also discussed the ASTE (Academy of Science, Technology and Engineering) facility that would be part of the project package. Staff said the ASTE program is not being paused or eliminated; rather the program would be relocated if the board proceeds with a single high school / campus solution. An ASTE line item appears in the packet and was discussed during questions about how that program's ed specs are being revised and when the district expects to complete that work.

Superintendent Belizzi and Colliers said they will continue to update the board and provide the state's list of ineligible and limited eligible costs, and that staff would invite Colliers and the architects (SLAM) to the operations committee to review details. The board asked for sample comparable new construction projects Colliers had completed; Pelham said Colliers was finishing New Fairfield High School and would provide comparisons and final cost reconciliations.

What happens next: Colliers and the district will complete the site test fit work and then return to the board with a tighter cost estimate, identified site constraints and an updated projected reimbursement rate. The state's final grant application process and any subsequent legislative action remain external steps the board cannot control.

Sources: board discussion, presentations by Colliers (Scott Pelham) and Superintendent Danielle Belizzi, and the revised project packet distributed to the board.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting - September 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Wallingford Board of Education on Sept. 29 heard updated square‑footage, cost and state reimbursement scenarios for a potential single high school and voted to approve a site test‑fit study to be paid from the district contingency fund.","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},5972036,"Wallingford superintendent highlights grants, workforce development and graduation data in 2024'25 annual report",237,9792000,10029000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5864043-d6056922292436fabca0a3c5b3d6cd90&start=9792&end=10029","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5864043-d6056922292436fabca0a3c5b3d6cd90/thumbnail_9792000.jpg","/articles/5972036/Connecticut/Wallingford-superintendent-highlights-grants-workforce-development-and-graduation-data-in-202425-annual-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972036-d470882c2b7940c30f6747e89c0e2687/orig.mp4?Expires=1773582327&Signature=kKBncbvLIVyBw3u~O2isAck6dUmWl2rBEHhCWChKQlxXqpDQegtcSbIdyDyoL~wV0Q8844PEIDmmV80SonPpxSkzxNDmRmOtl~erZzNuXkjf7718f9gQ3fHAeuHb94GCQ9cj0U2gkGyqeMao7DLTS6ekKh2Q0xhmf0KwdpK64PwnTT1~7koKTto48mx7nyySo99aW-elatn6qVHfn34Y3YQVytCKD-~v2~j3qHp32K0e-nkolz6KS8nMApIkhqQOn8ft13S9XLQm69jk7~hW1jsg2fp7yAqtXa4w80xP4XqPev5M9jD7aozRSV8uGqRRL0dKM4r~hMBjdJOQ~tLRhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Danielle Belizzi presented Wallingford Public Schools' annual report for the 2024'25 school year at the Sept. 29 board meeting, highlighting stronger grant activity, workforce development programs and graduation statistics that reflect state reporting changes.

Belizzi said the district accepted more than $91,543 in donations during 2024'25 and secured 11 competitive grants totaling just over $1 million, up from seven the prior year. She summarized highlights from district priorities (academic growth, wellness, staff development and community partnerships) and pointed to an expanded focus on workforce development and career pathways: internships, job shadows, ASTE paid placements and apprenticeship training are now reported in the annual document as required by state guidance.

Belizzi presented graduation rates for the class of 2024: Lyman Hall at 90.3% and Sheehan at 94.0%. Board members and staff explained those figures reflect, in part, a larger number of students who remain in school for transition services (the state's extended transition age increased in recent years), and that those students may receive diplomas after additional transition years; they therefore temporarily reduce the traditional four‑year graduation rate in the state report. Staff also noted other factors cited in the meeting: some students leave to pursue work or small businesses before completing a diploma, some enroll in adult education programs, and COVID-era disruptions affected cohorts that appear in recent graduation statistics.

The annual report also summarized personnel and retention data. For the 2023'24 school year the district reported an overall teacher retention rate of about 92.8% (teachers who remained employed in the district and in education), versus a statewide figure cited around 93.2% for the same period. The report listed hiring activity (26 new teachers and one new principal in the prior year) and enumerated collective bargaining and contract activity across several staff groups during the year.

Belizzi and other presenters summarized maintenance and capital work completed in 2024'25, including renovations that allowed the district's adult education program to occupy new Fort Fairfield space, tennis court replacements at both high schools and boiler replacements at several buildings; technology purchases cited in the report included teacher laptops, Chromebooks and interactive displays.

Board discussion included questions about underlying causes for any changes in graduation rates and the district's use of grants to support special education and trauma‑informed supports. Special education staff said the district was awarded a Special Education Expansion Grant (roughly $279,627 cited at the meeting) and a codified learner engagement and attendance program grant (about $150,000) to support attendance and outreach teams. Staff said one grant will be used to purchase wheelchair‑accessible playground equipment and sensory playground improvements for two schools and to support other special education services; another grant is designed to sustain family outreach and attendance supports earlier codified by the state.

Superintendent Belizzi said the district filed the annual report with the mayor's office and town hall ahead of the statutory deadline and that the document will be available to the public.

Sources: Superintendent Belizzi's presentation of the Wallingford Public Schools annual report at the Sept. 29 meeting and remarks from special education staff and board members.
","Superintendent Danielle Belizzi presented the district's 2024'25 annual report on Sept. 29, noting growth in competitive grants, workforce development activities (internships, apprenticeships, ASTE) and graduation data that reflect changes in reporting for students with extended transition years.",{"_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},5972038,"Wallingford schools record a wave of community donations for adult education and student supplies",7275,3628000,10903000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5864043-d6056922292436fabca0a3c5b3d6cd90&start=3628&end=10903","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5864043-d6056922292436fabca0a3c5b3d6cd90/thumbnail_3628000.jpg","/articles/5972038/Connecticut/Wallingford-schools-record-a-wave-of-community-donations-for-adult-education-and-student-supplies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972038-6a5fa728a98f6829b7542839575c4c97/orig.mp4?Expires=1773582327&Signature=PRtTVY5XoG6XCviA5r7vvdAbQJnx3YvKpDzqp4Phgr3DpfXD20OX~v4uvuKIyNxcvxcVG6-j6ANxOUchG~PIZRijRarFd1XLbSZ7RJx2EIYn9p-HPvtD8nkEwGmMUjjAhg6ottM4IxhIOuE2BnhJOCFhGw1HUuPXaJnQjBdnxPkiyXNGDuuV1N0RdMXgtOqF4wIsUNQU3o7DMSWh6lA8FYJ2QZLhbLarLz0TIMtVGNMNp4yrTxg3LSNfv9FLKpiIXqrSbcOEoBSKm6Kv2FrwDLyCKg1fyn2clJAO6RFDP0XEVUKJ2cyETKU55FiQuvknfeMFxAC62aFBUdMnwEjIcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wallingford Board of Education on Sept. 29 read into the record and accepted a series of donations from local businesses and residents totaling more than several thousand dollars in value and in‑kind equipment. The gifts included backpacks and school supplies for students, music stands donated by Choate Rosemary Hall, and sets of carpentry tools and a Home Depot gift card directed to the Wallingford Adult Education Tri Town Collaborative program.

Board member Missus Passaretti read a list of donors and items. Donations cited in the meeting packet and read into the record included: backpacks and school supplies from Burns & McDonnell and National Healthcare; 15 music stands from Choate Rosemary Hall for the James Moran Middle School music department; multiple carpentry tool donations (toolboxes, tool belts, safety glasses, gloves and small cash gifts) from several local donors to support students entering the carpentry trade through the Tri Town collaborative; and a $100 Home Depot gift card to assist a student entering the Carpenters Union apprenticeship. Superintendent Danielle Belizzi and staff clarified the carpentry donations were responding to a community request to help one recent graduate who is pursuing carpentry and needs tools and equipment to continue his training.

The board accepted the donations as correspondence and thanked the donors. District staff indicated they would provide program context and usage details when available and noted the donations were being used to support students both in regular K'12 programs and in adult education/training that leads to apprenticeships.

Sources: read into the record by Missus Passaretti and clarifying remarks by Superintendent Danielle Belizzi during the Sept. 29 board meeting.
","At its Sept. 29 meeting the Wallingford Board of Education accepted multiple donations to schools and Wallingford Adult Education, including backpacks and carpentry tools for the Tri Town collaborative grant and a Home Depot gift card to support an apprenticeship candidate.",{"_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},5972043,"Lyman Hall baseball team honored as Class L state champions at school recognition ceremony",403,916000,1319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5864043-d6056922292436fabca0a3c5b3d6cd90&start=916&end=1319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5864043-d6056922292436fabca0a3c5b3d6cd90/thumbnail_916000.jpg","/articles/5972043/Connecticut/Lyman-Hall-baseball-team-honored-as-Class-L-state-champions-at-school-recognition-ceremony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972043-4ce31f5263096cbe495e23a537006330/orig.mp4?Expires=1773582327&Signature=oWKSycEHEvTI10Rhoe8dDl0nFAVnL5ORGI9XQXYQpmZtyJ2D5RN~BH7q2zSgP3CFn2zV8KxXE49w5L9ltasqh4jXE80iWg3eDdfUcJNiVVz287DfuzUPEd7ECR50JYR0w49GWcWT3z4MyXl8SrDsw25nl-DQI16-8FDsoImbpJWgOSLDcuBR-RMjbLlQeKY708q~8~8ZnRyaTYp~9O7a~2eTCNzjkHLHQhOVPRcNH-hbeSk1krYFI4rANLPljrmlCGGJ8pLZT85g98domvuqkbBxvqWtW76OihgjZzlowqpDA-QhYwN92xzOJmfl9oB0~p0pknbUHVMTsuwaWtN8uA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wallingford Board of Education on Sept. 29 presented formal recognition to the Lyman Hall High School baseball team for winning the Class L state championship and finishing the season ranked No. 1 in Connecticut. Board members and Superintendent Danielle Belizzi praised the players, coaches and supporting staff.

Athletic director Steve Baker and Joe Corso introduced head coach Billy Rich and the coaching staff, and Coach Rich addressed the board, calling the season a group achievement built on sustained teamwork, practice, and mutual support. Coach Rich asked several assistant coaches and staff to stand as he spoke and thanked the maintenance crew and volunteers who support the program.

Board members praised the team's on‑field accomplishments and off‑field conduct, noting sportsmanship, school spirit and community engagement. Several players were called forward by name to receive certificates; the roster read during the recognition included Ryan Casey, Nate D'Amigo, Liam Laffin, Matteo Lucatino, Dylan Patel, Josh Morrison, Will Quinn, and others. The district and board requested the team pass along thanks to teammates playing at the collegiate level who were not present.

Superintendent Belizzi and other board members called the season an outstanding achievement for the school. There was no formal action required beyond the presentation.

Sources: remarks by Athletic Director Steve Baker, Coach Billy Rich, Superintendent Danielle Belizzi, and board chair Dr. Roscoe at the Sept. 29 meeting.
","The board recognized the Lyman Hall High School baseball team for its state championship season and No. 1 statewide ranking. Coaches, athletic staff and players were introduced and presented certificates; the board and superintendent praised the team's sportsmanship and community support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wallingford board hears updated cost, reimbursement scenarios for proposed single high school; approves test‑fit study

Wallingford superintendent highlights grants, workforce development and graduation data in 2024'25 annual report

Wallingford schools record a wave of community donations for adult education and student supplies

Lyman Hall baseball team honored as Class L state champions at school recognition ceremony