The operations committee reviewed budget-book edits, debated removing a three-year projection, agreed to advance sustained ($125.77M) and strategic ($601,632) budgets, and discussed grant-funded positions including a bilingual speech-language pathologist, a full-time social worker for STARS, department-head stipends, and a boiler/attendant facilities role.
The operations committee reviewed a proposed 2026–27 food services budget projecting a $15,055 deficit, discussed current paid meal prices and participation rates, and took consensus to advance the budget to the full Board for a formal vote.
The Wallingford School District special operations committee reviewed Section 3–5 of the proposed 2026 budget, noting a corrected spreadsheet error, projected increases in certified salaries and benefits, a contingency line holding funds for possible hires, and a proposed raise in substitute per diem to $120.
Board members debated a strategic package proposing part‑time maintenance help, a plow truck, an in‑house boiler plumber and four elementary teacher‑leader positions; members split over making teacher‑leader roles permanent or piloting them as time‑limited internships.
At a Jan. 29 meeting, district staff presented a proposed 2026–27 operations budget with a 3.326% sustained request and a 0.494% strategic add (combined 3.82%), citing enrollment declines to ~5,003 students, $389,000 estimated health‑insurance growth, a $365,000 transportation increase, curriculum reorganization saving $105,000, and $601,000 in strategic enhancement requests.
At a Jan. 29 special operations meeting, food‑service director Mister Bondi presented a preliminary 2026–27 food‑service budget showing $2,809,846 in revenue, $2,824,901 in expenses and a projected $15,055 deficit; projections rely on recent meal counts and federal reimbursement assumptions.
The Wallingford Board approved the consent agenda, passed item 7.17 (reconsideration form with added contact fields), and approved two administrative appointments (Rock Hill principal and Dag Hammarskjold assistant principal); the board also entered executive session during the meeting.
After debate over form length, vague policy language and who may challenge school library materials, the Wallingford Board of Education voted to approve item 7.17 — the reconsideration form — adding required complainant name, address and phone number while keeping most statutory language intact.
Committee reviewed a set of policy updates: nondiscrimination edits to add assault and human-trafficking victims per Public Act 25-139; Title IX-related changes tied to a federal court rollback; student-discipline revisions to reflect Public Act 25-93 and IDEA service requirements; and a consolidated library-materials reconsideration process required by Public Act 25-168.
Administrators reviewed school- and department-level improvement plans. Cook Hill principal described wellness measures and mentor programs; preschool staff outlined IEP, lottery and class-size details; special-education leaders highlighted structured literacy training; adult education noted a 39.7% state target for measurable skills gains.
