Stonington superintendent outlines possible budget cuts, COVID-19 costs

Stonington — Superintendent of Schools Van Riley presented a long list of options Thursday that may help the Board of Education reduce the 2020-21 school budget by $1.6 million, as well as a list of the many COVID-19 issues that could increase costs this fall.

On a positive note, Riley reported the town has received a $240,000 federal CARE grant to ensure equal access to remote learning, high-quality curriculum, safe reopening of schools and to provide social and emotional support for teachers and students. Riley also said he still anticipates returning $350,000 or more to the town from unspent money in the current budget.

The budget reductions are made up of $1.1 million the board had cut so its proposed budget showed no increase and another $500,000 the Board of Finance placed in an escrow account. Some or all of that money could be returned to the school system if state aid remains at the projected $1 million or if the school system returns more than the $350,000 it projects to return to the town from its current budget. If tax revenue declines dramatically, the money may not be returned.

Riley, who will come back to the board in June with a list of recommendations on how to decrease the budget to $37.4 million, including possible staff reductions, presented 15 options for the board to consider. He said $800,000 could be used from the health benefits reserve fund, which would have to be restored next year, charging the town for use of school buildings for recreation and municipal meetings, eliminating a second assistant principal at Stonington Mid- dle School and a decrease in athletic teams, clubs and extracurricular activities. He also said he would recommend the school system postpone the $1 million middle school roof replacement project to improve cash flow for the town.

While Riley did not bring it up, the school budget calls for paying about $700,000 in raises to school employees. He also reported one assured savings is $100,000 the district has negotiated in oil and gas purchases.

As for the uncertainty facing the school system due to COVID-19, Riley presented a long list of items that could include costs.

These include additional mental health and behavioral support for students and families, repairs and replacement of Chromebooks for distance learning; additional facilities and classrooms, as just 10 to 11 students can fit in a regular classroom now while adhering to social distancing guidelines; additional transportation costs, additional custodians and disinfecting equipment; personal protection equipment for students and staff, which he said would cost about $500,000; additional medical costs for employees; professional development for distance learning; additional special education requirements and increased substitute teacher costs in case there is a spike in virus cases this fall.

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Assessment Mary Anne Butler also told the board the district’s planning team already has begun working on how schools will resume this fall even though the state has not issued any guidelines yet. She said towns that sit back and wait for state guidance will have trouble preparing in time.