District projects $726,000 surplus after state reimbursement; capital plan edits and facility work outlined

The Wallingford School District reported a March 2025 projected surplus of $726,000 at the March 10 operations meeting, a $535,000 improvement attributed to an increase in state excess‑cost reimbursement and a higher reimbursement rate for special‑education claims.

Mr. Barone, presenting the financial reports, said the state allocated additional money that raised the district’s reimbursement on the relevant filing to about 78.5 percent, which “significantly helped us” and produced the projection change. He said the district expects the additional funds to be available in April but noted the state’s projection had been based on an earlier filing and may be adjusted downward as reconciliation occurs.

Why it matters: A larger‑than‑expected reimbursement affects the district’s near‑term outlook and could reduce pressure on reserves or permit reallocation of planned expenditures, but several accounts remain under pressure — notably special education service contracts.

Barone outlined drivers of the budget movement: salary savings from long‑term leaves, vacancy savings in non‑certified wages and lower certified substitute costs; lower oil consumption (about 18 percent below the five‑year average to date) produced utility savings; and other accounts increased deficits primarily because the district has contracted special‑education teacher and behavioral services to cover staffing gaps.

On food service, the cafeteria reported a $13,601 operating loss in February but a small year‑to‑date surplus of $3,709; Barone noted February had fewer service days and one snow day. Lunch participation stood at 48.6 percent districtwide and breakfast participation at 15.7 percent.

Board questions: Mr. Ross asked for a ballpark of the number of students with special needs; staff said an exact current count was not provided during the meeting and that the figure would be provided in the formal budget review. When asked about the share of next year’s budget allocated to special education, staff said the projection for next year was approximately 28 percent special education and 72 percent general education, but the current‑year allocation required checking the budget materials.

Capital and facilities: Facilities manager Mr. Deptula reported progress on multiple maintenance items: card reader solutions are being developed with IT, exterior door lock supplies are constrained but expected soon, and a damaged school sign is en route. Lyman Hall boilers work is complete and operational; Lyman Hall softball work will wait until after the season; the DAG baseball field dugouts and benches are in place and similar fixtures will be purchased for Lyman Hall softball.

Wetlands restoration and permits: Mr. Deptula and others discussed restoring Sheehan’s wetland outflow to the post‑2006 project elevation. Deptula said silting in the area measured “possibly a foot and a half, 2 feet deep” and that an original 5 percent slope on a portion of the site is gone and will be considered in the restoration design. The inland‑wetlands permit application and a second‑opinion report are on the April 2 agenda for review; permits typically run five years, and the board will review options after that meeting.

Fort Fairfield Boulevard renovation and grant potential: Superintendent Belizzi said staff are preparing a grant application to the state (deadline June 30) for partial reimbursement of the Fort Fairfield Boulevard building purchase and renovation. She explained the potential funding mechanics: central‑office-related costs could be reimbursed at half the district reimbursement rate and the Wallingford Transition Academy portion could be reimbursed at the full rate under a “renovate as new” inspection, while adult‑education activities are not eligible for reimbursement. The district is consulting outside grant support (Silver Petrosalecchi was referenced) to assist with the application.

Board members expressed concern about how any state reimbursement would flow (the mayor/town has funded the purchase) and whether reimbursed funds could be allocated to district needs; staff said reimbursement would be tied to the town’s expenditures for the building and the portion eligible under state rules.

Next steps: staff will supply the precise special‑education counts on request, finalize the inland‑wetlands permit submission for April 2, continue work on the Fort Fairfield Boulevard grant application by the June 30 deadline, and remove completed maintenance items from future project lists as they finish. The board also asked for the capital improvement plan changes to be highlighted (Barone said he bolded recent edits) and for staff to provide the specific line‑item changes by memo.

The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.