Michelle Sanford

The board discussed and approved plans, specifications, and project manuals for furniture, fixtures, and equipment related to the Sherman School renovation and central administration projects. The meeting also addressed the approval of project budgets, including the identification of items eligible and ineligible for state reimbursement.

The meeting included several student recognition awards for community service and leadership. Key topics discussed included updates from curriculum subcommittees, teacher appreciation events, and various school activities such as kindergarten orientation and upcoming graduations. The student council provided a review of the school year, highlighting achievements in community service, spirit weeks, and fundraising efforts for cancer research. The board also discussed the hiring of a paraprofessional and reviewed monthly budget reporting processes.

The board discussed student award recipients, personnel actions, and reviewed various reports including enrollment and budget updates. Key new business included hiring a paraprofessional and approving Healthy Food Certification for the district. The board also addressed various policies for revisions and updates, reviewed a school renovation project status, and discussed the 2026-2027 school calendar, including adjustments for teacher work days and student start dates in the new building.

The committee discussed the successful implementation of the Illustrative Math 360 program for grades 5 through 8 and future plans to expand into grades 3 and 4, supported by coaching and feedback cycles. Updates were provided on the OpenSciEd implementation for grades K through 8, including the use of new assessment tools and partnerships with Happy Acres Farm for outdoor learning. The meeting also addressed building teacher capacity in the Science of Reading using the updated HMH Into Reading program. Finally, the committee discussed the administrative requirements for complying with Connecticut Senate Bill 302, which mandates the online publication of curriculum materials.

The board discussed and took action to revise the 2026-2027 school calendar. This involved evaluating staff survey feedback regarding schedule preferences and exploring the reallocation of teacher work days to facilitate a move to a new school building. The board approved the calendar revisions with the condition that the administration secure a Memorandum of Understanding with the teacher union regarding the transfer of specific work days.