BOF Questions 04202021

BOF Q&A – April 20, 2021
COLCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET

1. Does Google sell student data to third party vendors?
Districts must comply with Connecticut’s student data privacy law (Connecticut General Statutes §§ 10-234aa through 10-234dd). The
statutes applies to any situation in which districts use educational technology that captures or accesses personal student information,
records, or data. To comply with the law, districts must either (A) have existing contracts with vendors that comply with Connecticut's
privacy statute or (B) limit their use of software to those titles provided by companies that have signed the Connecticut Student Data
Privacy Pledge. (CT Student Data Privacy Website – portal.ct.gov)
The CSDE has negotiated the Privacy Pledge with Google for student apps and G-Suite so that districts do not have to negotiate
individually. According to Google, the company does not own or sell any student specific information.

2. Will the increase in the use and expenditures for Google Enterprise continue next year?
No, this purchase of approximately $9,000 out of ESSER I funds will not continue next year as these additional capabilities were
necessary to run Google Meets as part of our remote learning option.

3. How many students have taken the late bus in the past?
The late bus provided two years ago was for a specific intervention program and averaged 10-15 students. The projected ridership for
the proposed late bus is 30-40 students per day (bus runs on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays).

4. What is the plan for Preschool for 2021-2022?
The district will be charging a rate of $1,500 (or $150 for 10 months) for our Preschool program that will result in approximately
$120,000 in revenue. This revenue is listed under the Special Education staffing section in the budget book and it directly reduces
those costs. In addition, the district will utilize ARPA funding to open one more class, or two sections, of half-day preschool. CPS
also plans to utilize ARPA funding for midday transportation to and from the major daycare providers at approximately $35,000 per
year. This additional service will support local daycares by eliminating the need for parents to transport students, and free up income
for families to better afford before-and-after school care at local daycares. We have not determined if this service will continue once
the grant funding is expended. Finally, the district is exploring before and after school care in collaboration with local providers to
provide additional support to elementary families.

5. Honeywell controls at CES update.
Mario Hurtado, our DEO, has reviewed the control system at CES and has determined that the initial training and implementation did
not go well years ago and staff did not utilize the system to its fullest. However, some of that hesitation was due to with the lack of

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support from Honeywell as well as faulty products and installation. Mario is working with Jim Paggioli to review the controls at CES
as well as JJIS and BA to determine next steps.


5. Budget reserves and fund balances




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Fund balances stand at approximately $690,000 of which $200,000-250,000 will be requested for the Bacon Academy oil tank
removal and remediation in Summer 2021.


6. Staffing at each building
See “Staffing Analysis” spreadsheet.




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