Shelton's eight schools open their doors

The Shelton School District on Wednesday opened its doors to its eight schools, where 4,125 full-time equivalent students are expected.

That's the same number budgeted at the beginning of the last school year. The district ended the last school year with 4,141 FTE. The first official count of students will be conducted Sept. 6.

"We do not anticipate an enrollment decline for the 2022-23 school year," Superintendent Wyeth Jessee wrote to the Journal in an email.

In a recent newsletter to the community, Jessee wrote, "We are extremely excited to welcome you back for the 2022-23 school year! Reflecting on last year, students, families and staff should be proud of their accomplishments. As we look forward to this school year, expectations are being raised and we are excited to increase access and opportunities for students to be inspired, challenged and empowered."

On Aug. 23, the Shelton School Board passed a $78-million budget for the 2022-2023 school year. The budget is based on the district's projected enrollment of 4,125 full-time equivalency students.

The budget projects $78,766,889 in revenue, and $78,087,902 in expenditures. The expenditures are $3.6 million higher than the 2021-22 budget.

Of the $78 million, $64.8 million is for personnel, including $32 million for certified salaries, which include teachers, principals, librarians, counselors and some district administrators; $14.54 million for classified salaries, which include para educators, office personnel, custodial, grounds workers, maintenance, bus drivers, food service, department administrators, technology, pool staff and coaches; and $18.25 million for employee benefits and payroll taxes for certified and classified employees.

The remaining $13,284,653 in expenditures are $5,907,653 for supplies and instructional materials; $7,066,801 for purchased services that include vendor contracts, utilities, insurance, Educational Service District services, conference registrations, consultants and trainers; $116,199 for travel expenses such as mileage, meals and lodging; and $194,000 for single-item capital outlay items of more than $5,000.

The state will give the district almost $43.7 million for basic education - 55.45% of its revenue - and almost $15.4 million for other educational programs. The district will receive $12.1 million from the federal government, $5.4 million from local taxes, and $1.6 million from neighboring districts for cooperative programs such as transportation and fees to educate secondary students from other districts.

The district is seeking applicants for its new Gender Equity Task Force. Sept. 10 is the deadline for interested parents, residents, administrators, para-educators and teachers to apply. The application link is on the district's website under "Gender Equity Task Force Forming."

The task force members, who will be selected Sept. 15, will focus on increasing understanding and communication of relevant gender identity issues; examination of roadblocks to successful integration of all students including gender expansiveness; review of curriculum materials that could be helpful to students and staff; self-assessment of the task force's objectives and progress; development of ongoing practices to ensure a culture of success exists for all students; and other initiatives as determined by the task force. The group will meet quarterly.

Winter break begins Dec. 19. Spring break is April 3-7, and the last day of school is scheduled for June 9.