During his financial report to the Board of Education on December 19, school district Business Director Ron Bienkowski shared a more optimistic budget outlook than he has shared in previous months. The school board was also presented with a Superintendent Leadership Profile Report at the meeting.Superintendent Search Continuesnewtown.k12.ct.usBarbara Gasparine To Retire

Mr Bienkowski noted the Monthly Financial Report for November was the fifth report of the school year.

"During the month of December we did calculate the cost of the Excess Cost Grant, which was submitted to the state on December 1," Mr Bienkowski said.

The grant supports special education costs for students that are four and a half times more than the average per pupil expenditure, according to Mr Bienkowski, who also said the state traditionally reimburses approximately 75 percent of the district's costs that exceed the standard.

"When we calculated that grant at 75 percent," said Mr Bienkowski, "it is expected to produced about $201,000 more than we budgeted for this. The total grant will be about $1.6 million."

The anticipated grant amount will impact areas of the budget positively, according to the report.

While Mr Bienkowski shared the anticipated impacts to the budget, he also added the full impact will depend on the state fulfilling the grant as expected.

"If everything works out the way it has worked out the last few years, it will end up being 75 percent. We don't know what is going to happen with the state budget," Mr Bienkowski said. "They could go back and try to do some of the other funding that has been promised. We will keep you up to date as soon as we know anything further on that front."

Last month's financial report anticipated a $496,191 shortfall and highlighted budget problem areas "related to unanticipated and unbudgeted special services requirements. Since September, out of district tuition has risen by another $185,000," as previously reported.

This month's report reads, "Overall, our financial position has improved since last month, and now appears to be more manageable." Mr Bienkowski also said at the meeting that the district is holding back on its spending until there is more certainty.

Later in the meeting, school board Vice Chair Rebekah Harriman-Stites shared a Superintendent Leadership Profile Report, which she explained summarized responses from focus groups with community members, a community survey, and input from the board's Superintendent Search Committee.

The school board accepted the resignation of Superintendent of Schools Dr Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, at its meeting on July 18, and the board later unanimously appointed Newtown High School Principal Dr Lorrie Rodrigue to be the district's interim superintendent. Dr Erardi started in the district in April 2014.

"Two hundred, ninety-nine people participated in the community survey. That represented a cross section of parents, staff members, town officials, students, [and] administrators," said Ms Harriman-Stites.

The community survey and the focus group meetings compiled suggestions for what challenges the next superintendent may face, what the district's strengths are, and the leadership qualities people would like to see in the next superintendent.

"Respondents saw that a real strength of the district was the staff. They felt that educators, support staff, and administrators were accessible, responsive, resilient, and form the backbone of the community," Ms Harriman-Stites said.

The district's educational programs and the "safe school environment" were also listed as significant strengths. During the last superintendent search, Ms Harriman-Stites noted that a "safe school community" was listed as a challenge for the district.

"I think it is significant to note that is now represented as a strength," Ms Harriman-Stites said.

According to the report, more than 20 focus groups and interviews were held, and the online community survey was available from September 10 to October 25. In total, the report notes, 575 individuals participated in both the survey and focus groups.

, and shared with candidates for the superintendent position, according to Ms Harriman-Stites.The report will be made available on the school district's website,

The board also accepted Head O' Meadow Elementary School Principal Barbara Gasparine's notice to retire at the meeting, with some unwillingness.

Board member Andrew Clure playfully said he opposed Ms Gasparine's retirement, which resulted in laughter from board members.

Ms Gasparine has been serving as the principal at Head O' Meadow since the 2010-11 school year. She had previously served as the assistant principal at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Ms Gasparine succeeded former Head O' Meadow Principal William Bircher, who retired at the end of the 2009-10 school year.

"Newtown will always hold a special place in my heart," Ms Gasparine said on December 20. "I will miss the relationships that have developed, at all levels, over the past several years. But, I am looking forward to spending more time with my family and the next chapter in my life."