Tuesday, February 25, 2025
BOE Budget Workshop #1
Budget Topics:
CES
JJIS
Pupil Services & Special Education
General Operating Budget
Transportation 1
Colchester Public Schools
Budget Priorities
2025-2026
A Positive Return on Investment
2
2024-2025 District Goals
1. Increase academic achievement for all students.
2. Ensure a continually relevant, rigorous, and engaging educational
environment.
3. Showcase schools and programs to encourage involvement and foster
community pride.
4. Ensure all members of our school community feel valued, accepted, and
connected.
3
Impact of Smaller Class Sizes
4
Comparison of Academic Performance
2023 - 2024 State Summative Assessments -
ELA, Math, Science
5
Colchester Elementary School
6
CES Projections
Students
566 students projected 25/26
Faculty and Staff Classrooms & Programming
2 Office Professionals 2 part-day Preschool classrooms
4 Child Development Associates 2 school-day Preschool classrooms
26 Paraeducators 1 Self-Contained Preschool classroom
2 Health Professionals 9 Kindergarten classrooms
2 Safety Professionals 7 First Grade classrooms
7 Custodians/Maintenance 8 Second Grade Classrooms
1 K-2 Life Skills Classroom
7
CES Reading & Math Instruction
All students have access to a rigorous, regular education
The Science of Reading Math Instruction
Explicit, systematic reading instruction under CT ● Strong focus on Foundational Math Skills
State Law that includes: ● 8 mathematical practices
● Content standards
● Phonemic Awareness
● Productive struggle
● Phonics
● Number talks
● Fluency
● Number Formation / Number Sense
● Vocabulary
● Comprehension Every child receives:
Every child receives: ● 30 minutes of push-in math
● Increases small groups
● Small group instruction ● Differentiated to meet all needs
● 40 minutes of push-in reading
● 2 groups running simultaneously Benchmark 3 times per year. Progress monitored
● Support on their instructional focus based on instructional focus. 5 MTSS Data Team
meetings per year.
8
Second Step Program
CES
Grade level PLC teams collaborate to implement
Second Step. Lessons focus on supporting
students with social skills to help them be valuable
members of the CES community.
All Members of our school Class Sizes
feel Valued, Accepted and Class sizes help teachers provide the maximum
amount of support and focus on each student.
Connected MTSS & Interventions
MTSS & Interventions help to ensure students
receive core instruction and additional instruction
based on their area of need in reading, math, and
behavior/social-emotional learning Interventionists.
Special Education
Special Education and differentiated classrooms
enable CES to support students in need of
specialized instruction and meet each student at
his/her developmental level.
9
CES Play-Based Learning: Ensure a continually relevant, rigorous, and
engaging educational environment.
“Play-based Learning” means a teaching approach that emphasizes play in promoting learning and includes
developmentally appropriate strategies that can be integrated with existing learning standards. It does not mean
time spent in recess, part of a Physical Education course or instruction or involve the use of electronic devices.
This includes:
● Free play: child directed
● Collaborative play: educator guided
● Inquiry: educator guided
● Learning games: educator directed
21st Century Skills Highlighted:
Creativity Analytical thinking Collaboration
Problem solving Communication Ethics, action, and accountability
10
CES: Why Play?
Relevance Sharing
to real life Ideas &
Creativity
Strategic
Problem
Thinking
Vocabulary & Use of Solving
Language skills
Development
11
CES:
Academic Achievement through Curriculum
Persevere through Articulate thinking, justify
difficulties to develop a solutions and ask
deeper understanding questions while using
of math concepts Math Vocabulary
Productive
04 Struggle 03
Mathematical
Discourse
02 01
Making Sense of Problems
Encouraged to grapple Allow for multiple
with challenging approaches to
problems Open-Ended Problem Solving solve
12
CES
1. After School Clubs
Growing Opportunities for 2. Math & Literacy
Students
Enrichment
Ensure all members of our school
community feel valued, accepted, and 3. Peer Mentoring
connected.
with BA
4. Student creation of
morning
announcements
13
CES
1. Daycare for Staff
Members located at CES
Staff Wellness &
Retention
2. Staff Wellness
Ensure all members of our
school community feel valued, Opportunities
accepted, and connected.
3. Support for new staff
14
Jack Jackter Intermediate School
15
JJIS Projections
Students
535 students projected 25/26
Faculty and Staff Classrooms & Programming
2 Office Professionals 9 Third Grade Classrooms
26 Paraeducators 9 Fourth Grade Classrooms
2 Heath Professionals 8 Fifth Grade Classrooms
2 Safety Professionals Grade K-5 Behavior Support (BASES)
7.5 Custodians / Maintenance Grade 3-5 Life Skills Classroom (UL)
16
JJIS: Core Academic Programs
Daily instruction includes a minimum of:
Reading* Writing Math* Science & SS
● 60 minute whole- class Weekly instruction
● 60 minute whole- ● 40 minute whole-
math block includes:
class reading block class writing block ● 30 minute small-group
● 30 minute small- ● Writing units are instruction block ● 90 minutes of
group instruction under revision to
● Updating Eureka content-
Squared program specific
block promote greater (grades 3-5) instruction
● Wonders literacy alignment K-5 ● Exemplars Problem ● SS is under
program (grade 3) ● Guided Spelling* Solving Process revision to
● Utilizing teaching better align
● District-created (grades 3-5) practices from
literacy units (grades ● with updated
Patterns of Power: Building Thinking
state standards
4 & 5) Grammar (grades 4 Classrooms, Vertical
Wipebooks
& 5) 17
JJIS: Academic Achievement
ELA: Math
Grade Science
STAR & Smarter Balanced STAR & Smarter Balanced
At/Above: STAR At/Above: SBA At/Above: STAR At/Above: SBA
At/Above: SBA
Fall ‘24-Winter ‘25 Spring ‘24 Fall ‘24-Winter ‘25 Spring ‘24
Increased from Increased from
Grade 3 58% 60%
53% to 63% 61% to 68%
Grade Increased from Increased from
62% 68%
4 59% to 66% 66% to 70%
Grade Increased from Decreased from
61% 53% 70%
5 65% to 66% 74% to 70%
18
JJIS: Community Involvement & Pride
➔ Annual Digital Learning Day/Night
➔ Annual Jackter Family Fun Night
➔ Annual Jack Jackter Day of Service
➔ Jackter Showcases
➔ Jackter Times student newspaper
➔ Student Senate for each grade level
➔ Supportive and involved PTO
➔ Students recognized for artistic achievements
➔ Band and chorus concerts
➔ New, updated report cards 19
JJIS: Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
& Specialized Instruction
Students included in Tailored to meet student
regular-ed classrooms needs according to
whenever possible IEP/504 Plans
04
BASES & UL
03
Special Services
02 01
Tier 2 & 3
Pull out intervention Small class sizes
support in reading and
math Tier 1
20
JJIS: Staff Wellness & Retention
➔ Staff Spirit Days
➔ Daycare
➔ Staff Wellness Opportunities
➔ Creation of a Staff Charter
➔ You’ve Been Spotted
➔ New Teacher Support
21
JJIS: Engaging Environment -
Growing Opportunities for Students
BA Field
Mentors Trips
& After Second
Enrichment
School Step
Opportunities
Clubs PBIS HOT
School
22
Pupil Services and Special Education
23
Special Education and Section 504
Special Education Section 504
● Process law ● Access law
● Governed by IDEA ● Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
● FAPE - Free Appropriate Public Education
● 504 Plan
● LRE - Least Restrictive Environment
● Referral and Evaluation ○ Accommodation plan for general
● IEP Plan - Individualized Education Plan education settings
○ Specialized instruction
○ Goals/objectives
○ Specialized services
○ Accommodations/modifications
○ Setting for instruction
24
➔ Integrated Preschool
➔ Small Group Instruction (in-class
and pull-out)
➔ Continuum of Related Services
➔ Unique Learners Program/Life
Skills (Pre-K – 12)
➔ BASES (Behavioral, Academic,
Social-Emotional Support),
Specialized Programming: grades K-8
Responding to Student Needs
➔ SOAR (Supportive Opportunities
for Achievement and Resilience),
grades 9-12
➔ East of the River Cooperative
Transition Academy (ERTA)
25
High Needs Learners*
2023 - 2024 Academic Data
*This data includes students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and students receiving free/reduced lunch.
District ELA Performance Index Math Performance Index Science Performance Index
Colchester 60.7 59.2 58.4
State 54.1 49.5 51.4
Berlin 61.6 58.5 58.6
Cromwell 56.8 51.5 56.8
East Hampton 58.4 53.0 56.6
East Lyme 63.8 60.5 62.9
Rocky Hill 64.6 61.6 60.8
Stonington 62.3 59.3 63.2
Waterford 59.8 58.5 57.5
Wethersfield 58.5 53.3 55.1
26
➔ Who is eligible?
➔ How is it determined?
➔ What does it look like?
➔ What is the budget impact?
Specialized Transportation
27
General Operating
28
System Wide Costs
Transfers
Legal
& Capital
Safety & Outlay
Security Insurance
Facility Employee
Rental & Benefits
Equipment
29
Transportation
30
Home to School Student
Transportation *as of 9/1/2024
20 buses under 980 Elementary &
contract with M&J 825 Secondary Students
04
# of Buses
03
Colchester
02 01
Lyman VOAG Program
13 students 70 students
Norwich Technical High School
31
Transportation: ● Combined Routes from M&J
○ Elementary & Intermediate
Combinations ○ Middle & High School
● Length of Routes when buses
combine
● Credits from Combined Buses
32
Board & Citizen Q&A
Budget Topics:
CES
JJIS
Pupil Services / Special Education
General Operating Budget
Transportation
33
Thursday, February 27, 2025
BOE Budget Workshop #2
Budget Topics:
BA
WJJMS
Athletics
Facilities
Technology 34
Colchester Public Schools
Budget Priorities
2025-2026
A Positive Return on Investment
35
2024-2025 District Goals
1. Increase academic achievement for all students.
2. Ensure a continually relevant, rigorous, and engaging
educational environment.
3. Showcase schools and programs to encourage involvement
and foster community pride.
4. Ensure all members of our school community feel valued,
accepted, and connected.
36
Impact of Smaller Class Sizes
37
Comparison of Academic Performance
2023 - 2024 State Summative Assessments -
ELA, Math, Science
38
Bacon Academy
39
Bacon Academy Projections
Students
590 students projected 25/26
Faculty and Staff Recruitment
73 Certified Staff Recruitment efforts continue
15 Paraeducators with Bozrah and Franklin to
5 Office professionals highlight Bacon Academy’s
1.5 Nurses office programs and increase BA
8.5 Custodial/Maintenance enrollment
3 School Safety
40
BA Budget Priorities
6 new courses developed
Continued focus on safety Post secondary college credits
in the building Seal of Biliteracy
Pre-Apprenticeship hours
01
Safety
02
Student Choice
03 04
Student Wellness
Bobcat Block Maintain core
Sports, Clubs, Activities academic areas and
Continued work on school Academic Growth supports for all
climate learners
41
Bacon Academy Student Progress
Bacon Academy received significant honors this year:
● #1 Public High School in Connecticut for College and Career Readiness
● AP Honor Roll School, Silver level
Two championships in 23/24:
● Girls Soccer, Class M State champions
● BA Robocats, State champions
Student Leadership
● Incorporating community service into Capstone Projects
● Peer mentor program working with CES and JJIS
● National Honor Society, Student Council
42
Go Bobcats!
Go Bobcats! Congratulations to the Bacon Academy Girls Basketball
Team for clenching the ECC Championship with a hard-fought 37-27
victory over NFA last night.
Also, a huge congratulations to Katelyn Novak for being named the
ECC Division I Girls Basketball Tournament Most Valuable Player!
43
BA: Community Involvement & Pride
➔ Band and Chorus concerts
➔ First Day and Senior Send off
➔ Collaboration with Project Graduation
➔ Peer Mentoring with CES and JJIS
➔ Sporting events for three seasons of athletics
➔ Campus beautification twice per year
➔ Founders Day celebration each May
44
Bacon Academy 2024 Graduate Profile
Four & Two Workforce Military or 152 Graduates
year college Vocational
80% 11% 9%
45
William J. Johnston Middle School
46
WJ: Puma Pride
47
Named #34 best middle school
in CT
(top 11%) by US News
48
WJ: Highlights 24-25
Sports
Red, White &
Experiences
& Clubs
Blue school of
Distinction
Math Counts
Community
Ambassadors
Events
49
WJ: Highlights 24-25
MathCounts Robotics Sports
& Clubs
Math Counts Experiences
Science Bowl Sports
Red, White &
50
WJ Projections
Students
462 students projected 25/26
Faculty and Staff Classrooms & Programming
2 Office Professionals 2 Teams per Grades 6-8
6 Special Education Teachers 2 Language Courses
2 Intervention Teachers 1 Behavioral Support Classroom
2 Health Professionals 7 Applied Academic Courses
6 Custodians/Maintenance Reading & Math Intervention
16 Paraeducators Special Education Support
2 Safety Professionals 3 Interscholastic Sports Teams
Jazz/Marching Band
Chamber Chorus
Adventure Course
After School Clubs
51
WJ: Connected Community of Learners
Wellness Opportunities
Engagement Activities Enrichment Groups
Choice in PD Clubs & Sports
Whole School Events
Safety
01
Staff
02
Wellness/PBIS
03 04
Community
Puma “Pawsitives” Interventions
Outreach opportunities Special Education
Experiences MTSS Support Staff
52
WJ Star Math & Reading: Grades 6-8
Math Grade MTSS IEP 504 ML ELA Grade MTSS IEP 504 ML
(n=46/4 (n=78/ (n=55/5 (n=7/7) Level (n=40/4 (n=78/7 (n=55/5 (n=7/7)
Level 0) 9) 5)
(n=437/ 6) 79) 5) (n=437/
442) 442)
+24 +18 +40 +15 +23/-4
Grade (23) 1/-24 Grade +9 +41 +11 +4 -64
6 (3) 6 (15) (3)
Grade +20 +26 +28 +16 -30/+8 Grade +9 +33 +11 +13 +108
7 (16) (2) 7 (11) (2)
+12 +13 +16 +16 +39/+1 Grade +12 +24 +31 -3 -6
Grade 8 (10) (2)
(15) 9
8
(2)
53
William J. Johnston Middle School
54
Athletics
55
Athletics : Overview
Participation Sports in
Jeopardy
Sport Co-Op
Population Model
Success of Championships
Programs
College
Athletes
56
Facilities
57
Facilities: Overview of Schools
Opened 2018
Opened 2006
121,000 sqft
108,000 sqft
2 day/5 night custodians
2 day/5 night custodians
01
WJJMS
02
CES
03 04
JJIS
Renovation 2005 Opened 1993
118,000 sqft 204,000 sqft
2 day/5.5 night custodians BA 2 day/7 night custodians
58
Facilities: Custodial Staff
Day Shift Custodial Responsibilities: Night Shift Custodial Responsibilities:
● Assist with day to day operations ● Nightly cleaning duties
● Monitor & Maintain HVAC Systems ● Assist with school staff & vendors
● Monitor Special Systems for evening event set up &
● Inventory & Order supplies breakdown
59
Facilities: Shared Services
Shared Services with the Town: Town is Responsible for:
● 1 FTE Custodian for Cragin Library, who also ● Snow Removal & Treatment of CPS/BOE Parking
provides building maintenance
Lots
● 1 FTE Custodian for the Town Hall and Senior
Center ● Sewer & Water
● .5 FTE Custodian for the Firehouse, Town Garage ● Grounds
and Youth Center
Partial Salary Payments for Directors: BOE is Responsible for:
● BOE pays for part of Director of Public Works ● Custodial Staff
salary ● Lockup and setting Security Systems at required
● Town does not pay for part of Director of buildings for BOE & Town
Educational Operations salary ● State & Local requirements and codes
60
Facilities: Budget
What we budget for vs. What is unexpected Capital Outlay Needs Not Funded in this Budget:
Expected Awning Installment at WJJMS
● Annual vendor service contracts Playground at JJIS
● Custodial and Maintenance Supplies
● HVAC supplies, Belts, Filters, Electronic valves Replacement Blinds at CES
● Coordinated building repairs
Tree Removal
Unexpected
● Pre-existing oil leak Engineered Drawing for Emergency Access
● Corroded oil lines in the BA Boiler Room
● Equipment Damage from Power Anomalies impacting Floor Replacement at BA
CES and WJJMS
Carpet Machines at CES, JJIS & BA
Facilities Supervisor & Vehicle
61
Technology
Overview
62
Technology
iPads
BA 50
WJ 70
JJ 200
CES 300
63
Technology
Chromebooks
BA 650
WJ 600
JJ 500
CES 200
64
Technology
PCs/Macs
800 across all schools
Printers, copiers, phones, displays,
cameras, sound systems,
streaming equipment
65
Technology: Hardware
66
Technology: Software
67
Board & Citizen Q&A
Budget Topics:
BA
WJJMS
Athletics
Facilities
Technology
68