Schools Budget Blessed By Selectmen, Goes To Finance For Review

MADISON, CT — Approved by the Board of Selectmen, the Madison Public Schools $60 million budget now heads to the Board of Finance and then, to a town-wide budget referendum May 17.

The $60,255,417 spending plan summary from schools:

Major Operating Budget Guidelines

• Respond to and prioritize anticipated educational needs from the COVID pandemic.
• Review line items and reallocate funding, based on expenditure history, to fund priority needs.
• Include known costs, and project anticipated contractual settlements, associated with employee contracts.
• Align staffing profiles in accordance with enrollment projections, class size policy, state mandates and
programmatic needs.
• Align per pupil core allocation funding levels for students based on projected Pre-K – 12 enrollments.
• Where possible, pre-purchase electricity and diesel fuel, while estimating pricing based on the natural gas
market.
• Realize efficiencies in the following areas: energy conservation, preventative facilities maintenance,
collaborative staffing arrangements with the Town of Madison, participate in purchasing consortiums.
• Prepare for new state guidelines and legislation
• Support and prepare for district reconfiguration to K-5/PreK-5
• Include health insurance funding projections

Efforts Funded

Academics - Math Coach for Grades 7-9
Increased Support for English Language Learners
Advanced Placement Student Support Program (to be supported over a two-year pilot period)
Technology/Safety & Security - Continue Promethean Board project and other technology upgrades
Continue School Safety measures
Maintenance - Increase annual maintenance funding by $30,000
Continue to respond to planned and cycled maintenance needs

Budget Challenges/Decreases

• 2 paraprofessional FTE Reduction due to discontinued elementary positions and a reduction of an additional
5 Special Assignment Paraprofessionals – ($118,192)
• Reduction in the Early Retirement Program – ($169,474)
• Increase in health insurance costs due to a rise in claims experience – $207,782
• Decrease in debt service – ($451,649)