741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Finance Committee

Meeting Minutes

Chairman S. Naomi

Rodriguez

Sp. Joint Work Session Finance Cmt Town Council & Board of Education- FY 2025/2026 Budget

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

6:00 PM

Town Hall Annex Building - Hybrid

Format

In -Person - Council Chambers, Town Hall Annex Building

Remote Participation Information is noted below:

Join Zoom Meeting from your Computer, Smart Phone or Tablet:

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210431

CALL TO ORDER

the Meeting was called to order by Town Councilor Jessica Buhle and Board of Education

Finance Committee Chairman Earl (Ty) Lamb at 6:01 p.m. at the Council Chambers

Town Hall Annex Building.

Councilor Buhle welcomed all to the Hybrid Meeting. She stated for the Town Council

Finance Committee and members of the Public who were participating via video

conference that the remote meeting information was available on the Agenda that was

posted on the Town’s Website - Granicus-Legistar Meeting Portal.

II.

ROLL CALL

Attendee Name Title

Status Location

Arrived Departed

Jessica BuhleTown Council Finance Committee Present In-Person

Tim RyanTown Council Finance Committee Present In-Person

6:00 pm 7:28 pm

Tony SacconeTown Council Finance Committee Late

S. Naomi Rodriguez Town Council Chairman Present In-Person

In-Person

6:02 pm 7:28 pm

6:00 pm 7:28 pm

Carmen Garcia-IrizarryTown Councilor Present In-Person

Fred Allyn, IIMI ayor Present Remote 6:00 pm 7:28 pm

6:00 pm 7:28 pm

Matthew Bonin General Government Finance Director Present In-Person

Earl (Ty) Lamb Board of Education Finance Committee Present In-Person

Joanne KelleyBoard of Education Finance Committee Present In-Person

6:00 pm 7:28 pm

Sarah TreasteBr oard of Education Finance Committee Present Remote 6:00 pm 7:28 pm

Anthony Favry Board of Education Chairman Present In-Person 6:00 pm 7:28 pm

Mary Harris Board of Education Vice - Chairman Present In-Person 6:00 pm 7:28 pm

Brandon Graber Board of Education Present In-Person 6:00 pm 7:28 pm

Jennifer Reguin Board of Education Present In-Person

Kate DePalma-Herb Board of Education Present In-Person

Jason HartlingSuperintendent of Schools Present In-Person

6:00 pm 7:28 pm

Kenneth Knight Board of Education Finance Director Present In-Person

6:00 pm 7:28 pm

III.

BUSINESS OF THE WORKSESSION

Round table discussion regarding the preparation of the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget to

include recommendations provided in the Committee to Review the Budget Process Final

Report dated October 31, 2023 as follows:

Shared between the General Government and Board of Education and/or for

privatization;

Long term planning for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP);

Guidance for Negotiation and Execution of Contracts;

Budget Format Development and Communication.

Councilor Ryan noted that he served as the Chairman of the Committee to Review the Budget

Process and he provided an overview of the Committee’s work:

v Shared Services between the General Government and Board of Education and/or for

privatization

Resources - Councilor Ryan stated the Committee to Review the Budget Process’

recommendation to consider Shared Services was from the approach of what resources the

Town and Board of Education could share. He stated Board of Education Finance

Committee Member Joanne Kelley was involved in these discussions and recommendation.

He stated they discussed whether there could be AN economy of scale that could be

achieved in areas such as:

Labor

Supplies

Materials

v Budget Format Development and Communication.

· Budget Format - Councilor Ryan stated the Committee to Review the Budget Process

questioned whether there was the potential to consolidate the Budget Format to make it

more homonymous, across the Town and Board of Education so that they would be equally

understood.

· Communication - Councilor Ryan also noted that the Committee to Review the Budget

Process was looking for the Town and Board of Education to communicate in a similar way

by providing similar budget narratives for the residents.

Councilor Saccone apologized for being late this evening and he thanked Councilor Buhle

for getting the meeting started.

Councilor Saccone addressed Communication, stating that he would like to see more

residents attend both the Town Council and Board of Education Meetings as they work to

develop the Annual Budget. He stated by attending meetings or watching the meeting videos

that were available online at www.ledyardct.org <http://www.ledyardct.org> and clicking on

the “Agendas & Minutes Tab, that residents could see and gain an understanding where their

tax dollars were going; and why taxes increase. He stated what the Town and Board of

Education asked for each year was not out of the ordinary, or absorbent, noting that a good

percentage of the annual budget was to pay for basic needs.

Facility Needs - Councilor Saccone noted the Board of Education’s Capital Improvement Plan

for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 was in the amount of $21 million. He stated the Capital

Improvement Plan was well written and would address many of their basic needs to maintain

the school facilities. However, he stated the question was how to fund these basic needs. He

stated as Councilor Ryan mentioned earlier this evening that the Town and Board of

Education could work · together to share resources, which could decrease expenses and

would free-up some revenues to pay for other needs.

Board of Education

Board of Education Finance Committee Chairman Earl (Ty) Lamb stated that all of the

Board of Education Finance Committee Meetings were available on-line and could be

accessed by visiting their website at www.ledyard.net <http://www.ledyard.net> and

clicking on the Board of Education Tab - Meeting Portal; and he provided an overview of

the Board of Education’s Annual Budget Process noting the following:

October, 2024 the Board of Education began working on their Fiscal Year 2025/2026

Budget with the Administration.

Capital Improvement Plan Fiscal Year 2025/2026 - Mr. Lamb stated the Board of

Education has approved a proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Capital Plan to be submitted

as part of their overall budget for the coming year.

Education Operating Budget - Mr. Lamb stated that the Finance Committee would

continue to work with the Administration through January and February to finalize the

Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Education Budget.

February 24, 2025 - Mr. Lamb stated that the Board of Education would work to

approve a proposed Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 to submit to the Mayor

Office no later than the fourth Monday in February, per Chapter VII; Section 4 of the

Town Charter.

Mr. Lamb stated tonight’s Joint Meeting of Finance Committees was a good opportunity for

the Town Council to provide input to the Board of Education about the Fiscal Year

2025/2026 Budget, especially with regard to the Capital Plan.

Superintendent of Schools Jason Hartling stated that he and Mayor Allyn, III, have a

meeting scheduled to review the Board of Education’s Budget proposals for the upcoming

Fiscal Year 2025/2026. He addressed the Board of Education’s Capital Improvement Plan

stating that they cannot continue to kick the can down the road, noting that some of the

projects continue to be included on Projects List year after year.

Councilor Buhle started that she appreciated the Board of Education including “Escalation

Costs” in this year’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), noting that it showed how much the

cost would increase by delaying/postponing it to another year.

Mr. Hartling went on to explain that the projects ranged from “critical” in nature to “nice to

have”, but that each has been put forth for discussion because the Board believed the project

either preserved or enhanced the learning environment at Ledyard Public Schools. He noted

the Projects List addressed a range of issues which included: refurbishing deteriorated or

aging facilities, safety and security upgrades, increasing operating and energy efficiencies,

providing higher quality indoor air, etc. He stated that the Report was provided in the same

format as in previous years, noting that it included a summary cost estimate, suggested

ten-year financial layouts, and cost escalations related to putting the project off until

sometime in the future.

Mr. Lamb noted although some projects were categorized as “Priority” that some should be

done together for effectiveness. Mr. Hartling noted as an example that before they replaced

the boiler at the High School they should address the windows first, explaining that

addressing the building envelope would change the size of the boiler needed.

General Government

Mayor Allyn addressed the comments regarding kicking the can down the road, stating that

every year the town has to move some projects off to other years, because they cannot afford

to do them all. He stated this year they were facing a 4+ mil tax increase based on the

expenses they were currently looking at, which included $1.7 million for capital projects. He

stated that Ledyard residents could not absorb a 4-mil tax increase ; and therefore, they have

to move some projects down the road, because there was no way they could do them all. He

also stated that he appreciated the prioritization of the various projects, noting that they were

going to have to prioritize the town’s needs and do what they can with the finite amount of

money they have.

Mayor Allyn continued by explaining that Ledyard was going to have some revenue issues

in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2025/2026, noting the following:

Grand List Valuation decrease, which was partly due to the new Motor Vehicle Tax

Formulation.

$800,000 increase in the Healthcare Cost for the Board of Education and General

Government Employees.

Veterans Tax Exemption that would provide a $500,000 loss in tax revenues, if the

Legislature does not change the language provided in Public Act 24-46 “An Act

Establishing a Property Tax Exemption for Veterans Who Have a Service-Connected

Permanent and Total Disability Rating”.

Mr. Lamb addressed in Public Act 24-46 “An Act Establishing a Property Tax

Exemption for Veterans Who Have a Service-Connected Permanent and Total

Disability Rating”; and he questioned whether their State Legislators consider how

these programs were going to impact the kids in their schools. Mayor Allyn

commented on the intent of the Bill, stating if a Veteran was 100% Totally and

Permanently Disabled and could not be employed to work, that they should not have

to pay taxes. However, he stated that was not how Public Act 24-46 was written,

explaining that Ledyard had some Veterans who were earning 6-figure incomes and

have applied to receive the Veterans Tax Exemption under Public Act 24-46.

Councilor Buhle provided clarification stating that a rating of a 100% Permanent and

Totally Disabled from the Veterans Administration does not prohibit a veteran from

working in different sector. She stated that they could still work and earn a 6-figure

income and qualify through the proper intent of the law (PA 24-46). She stated the

purpose of Public Act 24-46 was to provide support to veterans who were 100%

Permanently and Totally Disabled from their military service; or for the rest of their

lives because of their service to our country, regardless of whether or not they were

able to perform a different job that paid well. She went on to note that Public Act

24-46 does not include the following language “with no other exceptions”., noting

that the Public Act does need to be corrected.

Third Party Taxation Proposal - Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which could

provide a $600,000 loss in tax revenue. Mayor Allyn explained that the Third-Party

Taxation Proposal would take away the town’s ability to collect taxes from third party

(non-Indian) business operating at the Mashantucket Pequot Foxwoods Casino.

Mayor Allyn stated they have to look at their revenues to understand how they could pay for

projects. He explained that Ledyard had some substantial holes in their projected revenues

for the upcoming year (fy 25/26).

State Grant Reimbursement - Councilor Buhle noted that several of the Projects that

were funded in the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Budget qualified for 62% Grant

Reimbursement from the State. She questioned the status of those projects; and whether

the State Reimbursement has been received to help them evaluate the amount of funding

that has come back into the Capital Non-Recurring Fund. She noted the following

projects as an example:

Fire Alarm - Juliet W. Long School $75,000 - Superintended Jason Hartling stated

the fire alarms boxes were installed during the holiday break. He stated that he did

not believe they filed for the Grant Funding from the State yet. He stated in years past

when the State Grant Reimbursement was received that they allocated the funding

back to the Capital Non-Recurring Fund, which was the funding source used to

initially pay for the project.

Mr. Hartling went on to explain that depending on the project that some were eligible

for State Grant Reimbursement. He explained that if they were replacing something

because of end of life such as the High School Elevator that it may or may not be

eligible for State Grant Reimbursement.

ü Recommissioning at the Gallup Hill School - Councilor Buhle noted that Eversource

was going to pay for part of this work. Superintendent Mr. Hartling stated that the

Eversource’s portion was included to calculate in the town cost.

Councilor Buhle noted for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 the Board of Education had $880,000

listed for Bondable Projects; and $980,000 Non-Bondable. Therefore, she stated that it

would be good to know the portion of funding for these projects that would come back to the

town; and whether there was still money that was coming back to the town for last year’s

projects (fy 24/25) to help them understand what they had available for next year’s projects.

She also noted that the Town Council funded the $8,000 for the Juliet W. Long School

Nurses Cabinets, and therefore, she questioned why it was included in the Fiscal Year

2025/2026 Capital Plan. Superintendent Mr. Hartling stated that he believed the $8,000 was

encumbered for the Nurses Cabinets. Councilor Ryan stated if the money has been

encumbered that it should not appear in next year’s Capital Plan, and he noted that this was

an example of why the Capital List needed to be scrubbed.

Mr. Lamb suggested the Board of Education review the projects that were approved in the

Fisal Year 2024/2025 Budget that have been done; and whether Grant Funding was

received to offset the costs to the town.

Mil Rate Stabilization Fund $3.1 million - Councilor Saccone stated in preparing the

Annual Budget for the past two years (fy 23/24 & fy 24/25) that they had planned to use

some funding from the Mil Rate Stabilization Fund to minimize the Mil Rate increase. He

questioned whether the Mil Rate Stabilization Fund was used to balance the budgets.

Finance Director Mattew Bonin stated because the town received a good interest rate on

banking funds that they did not need to use the Mil Rate Stabilization Fund. Councilor

Saccone stated that there had been some discussion about whether they could use some

money from the Mil Rate Stabilization Fund for Capital Needs. However, he stated based on

the projected loss of tax revenues that the Mayor mentioned this earlier evening the Mil Rate

Stabilization Fund could be used up quickly.

Mayor Allyn stated in facing a 4+ Mil Rate increase that they were going to have to use the

Mil Rate Stabilization Fund to help smooth the increase in the Mil Rate this coming year

(FY 25/26). Finance Director Matthew Bonin stated that the projected 4+ Mil Rate increase

has already factored in using $1 million from the Mil Rate Stabilization Fund.

Superintendent Mr. Hartling suggested they use the Mil Rate Stabilization Fund as a

one-time infusion for Capital Needs instead of using it to reduce the Mil Rate increase.

Mayor Allyn addressed the importance for Long Term Planning, noting as an example that

they may not want to invest $15 million to retrofit the High School with air conditioning

systems, new windows, and boilers, etc. if the Town’s Ten-Year Plan was to build a new

High School. He stated that they may not want to invest $15 million in a building that they

were going to take down.

Superintendent Hartling stated the High School was built in four phases, noting that it was

originally built in 1963 and that there were additional phases over the years. Mayor Allyn

stated the High School was the second oldest School after the Juliet W. Long School.

Councilor Saccone stated they try to avoid kicking the can down the road, and they try to

have a fair and balanced tax for everyone, explaining that it was difficult to balance because

they had buildings to maintain/replace and salaries to pay.

v Long term planning for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)

Mr. Lamb noted that the Committee to Review the Budget Process Final Report

recommended the town look at the benefits of setting aside funding annually for Capital

Improvement Projects (CIP) such as the replacement of the school roof projects. He

stated the Report suggested by setting funding aside each year to purchase large

equipment or for large capital expenses such as the replacement of the school roof that

they could earn about $300,000 per year in interest while it was sitting in the bank.

Councilor Saccone stated that last year they attempted to allocate $200,000 into a

Capital Non-Recurring Savings Account. However, he stated because the money was

just not available it did not make it through the budget process. However, he stated that

he agreed it would be a good idea.

v Prioritization - Capital Improvement Projects

Superintendent Mr. Hartling noted the following Priority Projects:

Middle School & Gallup Hill School Humidity Levels due to fundamental design issues

- Mr. Hartling stated that they paused the Recommission work with Eversouce last

summer because they had to address the Humidity Levels first. He explained that the

purpose of the Recommissioning Study was to determine if there were energy savings

that could be gained with adjustments to the HVAC system at the Middle School and

Gallup Hill School. He also noted the State has Mandated Annual Balancing of the

HVAC Systems and that they also conduct a full inspection every five years. He stated

these unfunded mandated costs were in the Board of Education’s proposed Fiscal Year

2025/2026 Budget. He stated there were only two companies in the State that do this

work, and he noted the cost to conduct the Evaluation of the HVAC System at the High

School was $100,000; and therefore, they have moved this expense down the road.

Councilor Saccone questioned whether the Board of Education planned to send any of

their Maintenance Staff to attend HVAC Training. Mr. Hartling stated that they had two

employees who had HVAC experience, however, he stated that it was not enough to

mitigate the costs. He stated that they were able to handle simple adjustments, etc., but

that they call in contractors for repair work, and other major replacement work, noting

that they do not have enough staff.

Gales Ferry School - Replace the Chiller which transfers the heat away from a space

that required climate control, much like a traditional split system or package unit does,

but it used water (or a water solution) to do so; instead of air. The Chiller was a key

component of air conditioning systems. The Chiller was installed when the Gales Ferry

School was constructed in 1999 and has corrosion and would require extensive work and

cost.

High School Environmental Controls - Mr. Hartling noted it was only a matter of time

before the State of Connecticut mandates certain environmental controls that they would

not be able to accomplish in the 60-year-old High School, because of the systems in

place. He also noted that he was not certain that the newer schools would be able to

comply with the State’s environmental control requirements.

Mayor Allyn suggested the Board of Education use the sharpest pencil in preparing their

Operational Budget for Fiscal Year 2025/2026. He stated in all the years he has been

involved in local government; from the time he served as the Town Council’s Finance

Committee Chairman and his years serving as Mayor that this coming year was the single

most difficult budget he has seen. He stated without using the Mil Rate Stabilization Fund

they were looking at a 5-mil tax increase. He stated that they had about one month before he

had to submit a proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget to the Town Council on Monday,

March 3, 2025.

Superintendent Mr. Hartling stated that he and Mayor Allyn, III, have talked about the “must

do items” which included the humidity issues at the Middle School and Gallup Hill School;

and the air quality in the schools for the students and staff. He noted that they would be

meeting again to continue to discuss the needs related to preparing the Annual Budget for

the coming year.

Councilor Buhle addressed Superintendent Hartling’s suggestion to use the Mil Rate

Stabilization Fund for a one-time infusion to address $1 million of the Board of Education’s

Capital Needs. However, she stated although it would allow them to cross some projects off

the List that the Board of Education’s List was still 45 pages long; and year after year they

still would have over a $1 million of projects that needed to be done. Superintendent Mr.

Hartling noted that the Capital Projects List was the most fungible part of the budget, noting

in the current year’s budget (fy 24/25) Ledyard allocated $1.7 million for capital needs,

which was the single largest expense. He stated that there may be other years when the

Town Council may decide not to fund the Capital Projects List at a level of $1.7 million. He

stated in using the same philosophy as how Ledyard chose to spend their American Rescue

Plan Act (ARPA) on capital non-recurring expenses, instead on on-going operating

expenses, that he was suggesting that they apply that same approach for the Mil Rate

Stabilization Fund.

Mr. Lamb questioned whether the 4+ mil tax increase was a revenue issue or a spending

issue. He suggested that Ledyard talk to their State Representatives about the number of

Unfunded State Mandates and how these costs were impacting their community’s local

budget, and ultimately the kids in their schools, noting that Ledyard had one of the lowest

Per Pupil Expenditures in the State.

Mayor Allyn, III, stated per the United Way Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed

(ALICE) Report that Ledyard had about 31% of At-Risk Families, which was a high

number. He stated with the increase in expenses and Eversource’s Public Benefits Charge

that was included in their monthly bills that it was impacting family’s ability to make ends

meet. He stated in preparing their Annual Budget that the Town has to be mindful of those

who have their nose just above the waterline. Superintendent Hartling stated that the Public

Benefits Charge was also impacting the School’s budgets.

Councilor Ryan stated the nuances here was the costs of goods, noting that the costs of items

in general have increased, whether it was labor or materials. Therefore, he stated they were

spending more just to maintain what they were currently doing. He explained that they were

not necessarily spending more to increase services, or increase numbers, or increase

materials, noting that all these things needed to be considered.

Councilor Ryan addressed the use of the $4.43 million of American Rescue Plan Act

(ARPA) Funding. He stated the Town Council’s Finance Committee prioritized ARPA

Projects explaining that they specifically looked at large capital projects that were either

impending or could were going to be a huge expense later on if they did not address them at

this time. He stated as bad as their Capital Project List looked now, that without the

one-time infusion of the ARPA Funding, that Ledyard’s Capital Projects List could have

looked much worse today. Therefore, he stated although they were in a much better position

that it did not make the current Capital Projects List more digestible.

Councilor Buhle noted Mr. Lamb’s question of “Whether this was a Revenue Issue or

Spending Issue?” noting that the Committee to Review the Budget Process Report did not

identify areas to cut expenses. She stated that Ledyard has cut expenses to save money,

noting for Ledyard it was not a spending issue. She stated that Ledyard has tried to optimize

as much as possible, which was the reason the Committee to Review the Budget Process

Report recommended the town try

to save money by reducing interest costs

(Bonding/Borrowing Costs). She went on to note that Ledyard’s Commercial Grand List was

much lower than surrounding towns, leaving the tax burden to fall on residents, rather than

larger corporations or businesses. Therefore, she stated that Ledyard needed to continue to

work to create an environment that was welcoming to new businesses, noting that some of

the ARPA Projects such as the Sewer Line Extension Project were designed to increase

development with the hope to disburse the mil rate over more taxpayers. However, she stated

that this was a lot of work and would not happen overnight. She stated that Ledyard had a

revenue problem, not a spending problem. Superintendent Mr. Hartling stated that he agreed

with Councilor Buhle’s comments noting that Stonington spends $16 million more on their

schools than what Ledyard has to spend on their schools, noting that Ledyard was incredible

efficient in their spending and with the resources available. Mayor Allyn stated that

Stonington’s Grand List was three times higher than Ledyard’s Grand List.

The Group discussed the Board of Education’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Capital

Improvement Plan using Tax Levy in the amount of $927,500 .

Superintendent Mr. Hartling stated that he would work with Mayor Allyn, III to prioritize

the Board of Education’s Capital Projects proposed for the use of tax levy dollars. He noted

as mentioned earlier this evening the highest priories were:

Humidity Level Issues at the Middle School and Gallup Hill School, which could cost over

$500,000. He stated that they were hoping that they would have an engineered solution that

would cost less than anticipated.

Boiler and Heating System Repairs - the High School’s boiler was original to the building

and was 63 years old. Conversion from steam to hot water should be considered to generate

energy savings of about 13-27% in oil costs.

Contracts - Mr. Lamb addressed the importance of their Capital Building Project Contracts,

stating as a Town that they have to keep an eye on their contracts, who they hire to manage

their contracts, and how the contracts were closed out, because these things were costing the

town money and costing their kids. Superintendent Mr. Hartling stated they have found that

there was a fundamental problem with Municipal Building Projects. He stated that

Municipalities were at a significant disadvantage in the marketplace, stating that the system

was rigged against Municipalities getting quality services and fair pricing.

Operating Budget - Councilor Buhle stated that she would like to once again request that if a

Board of Education Salary Line was covering more than one position that they indicate how

many positions were being paid by that Salary Line. She noted as an example if ten math

teachers were being paid from one salary line that the budget note (10-math teachers). Mr.

Lamb questioned the purpose of knowing how many people were being paid from one salary

line noting the amount of time/work involved to include the type of information that

Councilor Buhle was requesting. Councilor Buhle stated the General Government’s Budget

included a separate budget line for the Tax Collector and a sperate line for the Assistant Tax

Collector, noting that it did not have one budget line for Tax Office Salaries. Therefore, she

stated when they were looking at a Science Salaries of $175,000 that it would be helpful to

know whether it was for one teacher or three teachers for transparency. Superintendent Mr.

Hartling stated that providing the information Councilor Buhle has requested would involve

another of level of granularity. He stated that he would take direction from the Board of

Education noting that the salaries of any public agency was available to the public; and if the

Town of Ledyard would like to proceed down that route that it was something that the Board

of Education would certainly comply with. Mr. Lamb stated that he would talk with the

Board of Education to see how they would like to proceed. Board of Education Finance

Committee Member Joanne Kelley stated that the Committee to Review the Budget Process

discussed sorting the data as Councilor Buhle suggested and decided that sorting the data

would not provide any value to the budget for the amount of resources needed to do that

work. She explained the Board of Education Budget looked different from the General ·

Government Budget because they did not have fifteen of any one position in the Town

Hall, noting that the Board of Education had over 400 employees. Councilor Buhle stated

when a

resident sees $350,000 for Math Teacher Salaries they say, “That’s a lot of money”, but

when they could tell them the budget line was for six math teachers that residents found that

it made more sense. Mr. Lamb stated that the Board of Education would look into Councilor

Buhle’s request.

Councilor Garcia-Irizarry stated in reviewing the Board of Education’s Budget last year that

she would see Paraprofessionals listed for a school on one page and then see

Paraprofessionals listed again for the same school on another page. Therefore, she stated it

would be helpful to know that one budget line was for Special Needs Paraprofessionals and

that the other budget line was for Regular Paraprofessionals. Superintendent Mr. Hartling

explained the Munis Financial System Account Line Number indicated location, department,

program etc., noting that it gets very granular and that was the reason they would see budget

lines come up in the same location in different ways.

v Guidance for Negotiation and Execution of Contracts

Councilor Saccone noted that the Committee to Review the Budget Process provided some

recommendations, and he questioned whether the Board of Education or the Mayor has

looked at trying to implement the suggestions.

Superintendent of Schools Jason Hartling stated for Certified Staff Contracts that the Board

of Education has traditionally asked that the Town Council send a Liaison to attend the

negotiations. He stated that he believed the Chairman would continue this practice, noting

that where it was required by State Statute that the Board of Education would provide

notifications.

Chairman Rodriguez stated when the Twenty-seventh Town Council was seated on

December 4, 2023 that the Ledyard Education Association (LEA-Teachers) Contract had

already been ratified/voted on by the LEA, noting that it was forward to the Town Council

for action at their February 14, 2024 meeting. Mr. Hartling stated that the Board of

Education had two Non-Certified Bargaining Unit Contracts (Secretaries and

Custodians) that were up this year. Chairman Rodriguez stated that she could attend

the negotiations. Mr. Hartling stated that he would talk with the Negotiation

Committee about what they wanted to do, noting that the State Statues pertained to

Certified Staff Contracts.

v Budget Format Development and Communication.

Councilor Ryan, Committee to Review the Budget Process Chairman, noted that Board of

Education Member Joanne Kelley worked on this area of Report, noting that the

recommendation included some additional information be added to the Budget Booklet

Handout. Board of Education Member Joanne Kelley stated in the Fiscal Year 2024/2025

Budget Booklet Handout that they added a lot more pages to provide additional background

information.

Mayor Allyn, III, noted that additional information was included at the front of the Budget

Booklet Handout that included a Summary that provided some narratives and graphs and

charts. He stated it provided a five-page snapshot of the Annual Budget.

Ms. Kelley questioned whether they received any feedback from residents regarding the

additional information that was provided in the Budget Booklet Handout. Mayor Allyn

stated that he did not receive any feedback from the residents.

Chairman Rodriguez questioned how many years in advance did they know that the Gales

Ferry School and Middle School Renovate-As-New Projects were going to take place.

Superintendent Hartling stated that the construction projects were already underway when

he joined Ledyard. However, he explained that there was a 5-7-year lead into School

Projects from the time of the initial conception to community outreach, to the design work

and cost estimates, to referendum. He stated that he noted that the paperwork he saw for the

two school projects Chairman Rodriguez mentioned was dated from 2018 and was started

when Superintendent Dr. Graner was with the town. Chairman Rodriguez stated that the

High School and Juliet W. Long School were both older facilities that were going to need

either a Renovate-As-New or New Facility at a new location. She stated in looking at the

Annual Budget that it had Capital Project Projections thru 2035. Therefore, she asked based

on the lead time whether the Board of Education had an idea of when they would start to

look at these school facilities, suggesting that perhaps they should start allocating some

money for these two schools. Mr. Hartling stated because of the cost of the School Projects

that they would have to be bonded, noting that he has not received any direction from the

Board of Education, nor have they started to allocate any funds to begin exploring their

options. However, he stated that Chairman Rodriguez brought up a good discussion that they

should have, noting the amount of system issues (boilers, windows, etc.) they had at the

High School.

Projected Enrollment

Councilor Buhle noted the Projected Enrollment data, and she stated that her son’s class and

the fifth-grade class were the largest classes at the Juliet W. Long School; and all of the

other classes were smaller. Therefore, she questioned whether they had a projected

enrollment for the Kindergarten Class for next year (August/September 2025).

Superintendent Hartling stated enrollment was always a challenge, noting that they were not

sure how changing the age requirement would impact the Kindergarten Class. He stated the

enrollment data was included in the Board of Education’s Fiscal Year 2025/2026 packet

noting that they have projected 141 kindergarten students between Juliet W. Long School

and the Gallup Hill School for the next school year, noting that these numbers were based on

the birth rate analysis. He stated the sixth-grade class would be a little larger than this year

and that the Middle School would continue to be a stress point from an enrollment

standpoint.

Councilor Saccone stated that the Town Council Finance Committee would work to provide

a responsible and reasonable budget for the upcoming

ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Buhle , moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Councilor Ryan.

Board Member Lamb moved the be adjourned, seconded by Board Member Kelley.

VOTE:3- 0 Approved and so declared, (Town Council Finance Committee)

VOTE:3- 0 Approved and so declared (Board of Education Finance Committee)

The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m.