Board of Education: Sports Begin, Full-in School Planned, April Fools Vacation Nixed, and a 4.98% Budget Increase
The Board of Education’s meeting last night began with the health and medical insurance review from consultants, and continued to a capital projects forecast, a school and county health update with the superintendents plans to reopen the schools, a quick fix to nix an accidental vacation day on April 1st, and concluded after the Superintendent’s 2021-2022 budget discussions that surround a 4.98% increase.
Health and Medical Insurance
The Lockton Companies provided a review of health and medical insurance options for the upcoming year, one that sparked conversation among Board of Education members and Board of Finance members about the volatility of the current State of Connecticut health and medical insurance plan. COVID-19 was also given thought when discussing the mitigation of risk to the District with a possible influx of future non-emergent medical procedures being scheduled by staff members, ones possibly deferred due to the pandemic.
Lockton described hope in having firm numbers back from the private market by February 1st, however current memorandums of understanding between the District and unions were described by administrators as a “hurdle to jump” when thinking about switching plans.
Finance Board Chair Brian Stern and First Selectman Jim Marpe both ended the conversation with describing their willingness to work together as a Town, with Jim Marpe adding that “The opportunity to share the workload and risk is a good one and one that we owe to the taxpayers.”
The Westport Public Schools and Town of Westport has worked with the Lockton Companies since 2014, after a 2 million dollar snafu involving health insurance accounts caused them to seek out a health insurance and risk management consultant.
Capital Expense Report
Coleytown Middle School welcoming students back last week.
A report on the district’s capital expense projects was presented as a priority of projects was explained. The largest project in 2021 calls for a possible 1.2 million dollar floor replacement in the Staples High School Field House amongst other projects. A Long Lots School PTA member commented that the delay of replacing Long Lots Elementary School windows brings concerns of mold or similar issues previously experienced by Coleytown Middle School. The delay reports that the aluminum windows would be projected to be replaced in the 2023-2024 fiscal year for over $500,000.
Confusion was reported by Board of Education Chair Candice Savin as questions were raised as to the status of current fiscal year projects, which began to appear as behind projected schedules. Westport Public Schools Chief Financial Officer Elio Longo described a difficult situation with buildings closed due to the pandemic, and a subsequent challenge in getting out of state contractors into the schools to complete work. Savin requested a report next week to describe the situation more clearly for members.
COVID-19 Update and Superintendent’s Plans to Reopen Schools
Supervisor of Health Services Sue Levasseur gave her report on COVID-19 and the district, echoing a feeling that transmission rates within the school buildings still remain low. However, she anticipates COVID-19 case numbers to increase next week among students and staff as there is a gradual increase across the State, possibly caused by recent vacations by families and staff members. She stated that since schools returned from the winter recess, 32 cases have been reported in the district; 5 today.
Lavesseur gave hope for athletes as she stated a recent meeting of the CIAC and DPH described a January 19th start date for sports’ practices, and a February 1st start date for competitions, but only for certain sports such as basketball and hockey. Not included in those allowances are competitive cheer, dance, or wrestling. She reminded the Board that things would look different, such as “time outs for mask breaks” during basketball games, shorter seasons, and all of this riding on further DPH assessment of rising case numbers throughout the state.
The Superintendent said that principals worked hard to create plans for the reopening of schools, specifically for kindergarten - 8th grade learners. Although unable to provide specifics when asked by a Board member, he described that he is actively watching the COVID-19 numbers across the State and has confidence in his staff, saying “we’ll make plans regardless to come back, but will stay the course at this time.”
Two Board members described their feeling that urgency is needed in sharing a plan for returning children to school houses, such as a report during next week’s meeting. The co-presidents of the Westport Education Association commented publicly that they “do not feel it’s prudent to move forward with an all-in model at this time” and cited a forthcoming letter from the teachers’ union to the Board.
April Fools: Students Will Report to School on April 1st
Although the current calendar’s color-coding shows that students and staff have no school on April 1st, this was found to be erroneous by the District and will be remedied with three possible options - all include students and staff reporting to school on the Friday.
Superintendent’s Proposed School Budget Shows 4.98% increase, with Discussions Continuing
The Superintendent’s proposed budget totals at $128,013,115 for the 2021-2022 school year, which is a 4.98% increase of $6,076,627. The budget was presented on Friday to the Board of Education, with discussions continuing this evening on subjects such as Utilities. The presentation also included data that forecasts a slow decline in student enrollment, as well as a gradual increase in the percentage of students with disabilities.