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Superintendent outlines curriculum rollout, budget pressures and new student advisory and community conversation initiatives
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Johnson updated the board on classroom curriculum adoption (Arts and Letters for K–5), an anticipated 3.5% base index for the 2026–27 budget year, the launch of a 12-member student advisory council and planned community conversations beginning in October.
Superintendent Dr. Johnson used his Sept. 29 report to update the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District board on instructional and budget matters, and on new student and community engagement efforts.
Dr. Johnson said the district has begun board-and-superintendent school visits to see classroom implementation of recently approved curricula. He highlighted the district’s elementary English language arts instructional materials, ‘‘Arts and Letters,’’ telling the board the program ‘‘is an investment in both equity and excellence because this is an opportunity to make sure that every student, grades K through 5, in Wallingford Swarthmore has access to the same high quality literature experience.’’ He said the curriculum includes materials and supports for English learners and students with disabilities.
On budgeting, Dr. Johnson told the board the anticipated base (equity) index rate for the 2026–27 fiscal year is estimated at 3.5%. He said the district no longer has carryover funds it used in prior years, and that the combination of a lower index and rising fixed and essential costs will require prioritization: ‘‘we're probably going to have to have some different conversations about the budget as we go forward, about prioritization, about how do we maybe reallocate from within our budget to make sure that we can achieve the priorities that we have for our students.’’ He listed pressures including fixed contractual costs (salaries and settled contracts), upcoming cleaning contracts, other essential operating costs and capital needs tied to the high school renovation.
Dr. Johnson also announced a new student advisory council made up of 12 high school students selected from more than 50 applicants; he said the students were de-identified and will provide a district-wide perspective. The first meeting is planned for October. In addition, he said he will launch ‘‘community conversations’’ in October with two sessions (one morning, one evening) to broaden opportunities for community members to attend and share feedback.
Dr. Johnson described the board-and-superintendent school visits as a monthly effort to better connect board members with classroom practice and to inform board decision-making: ‘‘it really helps to improve my decision making and board decision making together,’’ he said. He also reported that special education and curriculum departments are collaborating to make the new elementary materials accessible to students with disabilities and English learners.
The superintendent’s report was informational; there were no formal board votes tied directly to these updates during the meeting.
