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Superintendent warns of potential fund-balance drawdown, outlines reorganization and community sessions
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Johnson said the district may need to dip into fund balance without spending adjustments and outlined a timeline for a reorganization plan, budget proposals, and community listening sessions on the high-school renovation.
Superintendent Dr. Johnson told the Wallingford School Board on Jan. 28 that the district is not currently in deficit but is planning for possible use of fund balance if spending adjustments are not made.
"Always an important reminder that we are not in deficit now. We are anticipating that we would have to dip into fund balance and therefore, the taking away the savings that we have," Dr. Johnson said, urging a thoughtful, collaborative budget process. He said staff will bring a reorganization plan to the finance committee in February, return to the full board for approval of a reorganization request in March, present a proposed budget in April and seek board approval in May.
Dr. Johnson described contingency planning after recent snow closures: the district would repurpose the March 20 professional development day as a student half-day if needed and consider moving a professional development day in June if additional school days are lost. He emphasized the district is not proposing changes to kindergarten transportation at this time but will bring clarifying policy language on before/after-school pickup and drop-off to the February policy committee.
On capital planning, Dr. Johnson announced community listening sessions to prioritize elements of the high-school renovation (Feb. 4 in the high-school library, plus sessions after Feb. 17 and on March 5). He urged public feedback on priorities that will inform architect recommendations and the proposed budget.
