By Sarah Opdahl

At their Thursday, January 4 meeting, New Fairfield’s Board of Education (BOE) heard a presentation on a five-year plan to address several resources, primarily the middle school and fields. Following the building of a new high school and elementary addition, the town will be asked to address issues with the middle school that are “beginning to fail,” Superintendent Dr. Ken Craw said. He went on to say these need to be addressed “to make sure that we can get to a point where we could consider a renovate-as-new when it makes sense.”

Craw pointed out that $750,000 per year to address these issues over five years was the plan introduced in last year’s budget cycle. Certain projects, such as the oft-discussed removal of an oil tank, are costly and are required to happen for a variety of reasons, regardless of budgetary prudence. Building and Grounds Director Mr. Phil Ross was candid in his belief that the Middle School would be best improved with a larger-scale project, given the length of time and usage restraints that would be caused by piece-mealing the upgrades in an occupied building and over summers and breaks. The question of possible state reimbursement was also a reference point.

Ross provided an example of the middle school’s problematic intercom system. He identified the problem as a front-end issue and relayed that the plan is to replace the system in the main office and each classroom but to not upgrade any wiring, which would potentially be addressed in a future project.

The fields were another topic of discussion, as large improvements were identified as necessary. Board members attempted to look for the positives, such as a discussion that ensued after the need for improved field lighting was introduced, during which any potential for savings that would be a positive spin on the need was quashed. The new lighting system will be a vast improvement to the light, but energy savings is not expected. There is a massive shortfall in the field fees account that taxpayers were originally promised would fund the surface and track replacements.

Craw was happy to announce the selection of the District’s Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Ms. Kristine Woleck, currently Principal of East Elementary School in New Canaan. Woleck’s appointment follows the departure of Ms. Julie Luby. Woleck will focus on all matters related to teaching and learning throughout the district. Woleck rose to the top from a pool of thirty-five highly qualified candidates, which was narrowed down to ten, then six, and ultimately three finalists.

Woleck served as elementary principal for the past decade. Craw explained, “prior to that, she has had systemic experience as a curriculum coordinator” and an instructional coach. She began her career as an elementary teacher and “having both a literacy and math background is a really nice complement for us in this district,” Craw said. In turn, Woleck said, “I am thrilled to be joining New Fairfield Public Schools…as I met teachers and administrators, parents, board members…what I heard them speak of over and over again was the sense of community here, the connectedness, the commitment to the schools, and it was inspiring. So, I am very much looking forward to being part of the team that is here working with the staff, working with all of you to support students as they make their journey across the years, pre-K to 12.”

Elementary-level Head Principal Ms. Allyson Story presented on shifts to literacy curriculum the staff continues to explore. “We’ve been looking extensively and very broadly at different programs. We have narrowed it down to the two resources that we feel right now would be the most suited for New Fairfield and the students that we have and the needs that we have for our community.” Groups of two teachers per team per grade will pilot Great Minds: Wit and Wisdom and Open Resources: Bookworms. All involved believe that either of these programs will marry well with the elementary’s primary program: Fundations and the use of Heggerty decodable books, to provide a greater emphasis on comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency.

The shift is in reaction to several factors: a dip that occurred in student performance following the pandemic’s height, teacher feedback regarding the underperformance of current curriculum, and a new state mandate in the “Right to Read Act,” which insists schools choose curriculum from an approved list of options. The presentation was a well-timed one, given that the budget season is about to begin and new curriculum and resources typically equal a pricey boost to the budget.

Story explained the five critical components of a solid literacy program for reading: the ability to understand sounds and how sounds work together, decoding sounds to understand words, vocabulary development, fluency, and comprehension of texts. She gave a background of the assessments the elementary school leans on to gauge student performance, such as iReady, Fountas and Pinnell, and, more recently, Dibbles. In response to the assessments, steady professional development was, and will continue to be, offered to teachers.

In 2019, Fundations was introduced at the K-2 level and Spelling Connections at the 3-5 levels, which went hand-in-hand with heavy professional development and a close read of assessments. Story explained, the district recognizes “we need to look at our comprehension piece” and “continuing to bolster the vocabula ry.” Fundations does “touch on vocabulary and embed some of the vocabulary as part of its programming,” but they are seeing opportunities for growth. Staff in the pilot program will have professional development in late January, with the pilot commencing in early spring.

A New Fairfield Middle School feasibility study was approved for an amount not-to-exceed $20,000 for possible renovation of the old high school cafeteria to house classrooms. The middle school absorbed a variety of former high school spaces, such as the Pupil Personnel Services and Buildings & Grounds offices, which are housed in what were formerly classrooms in the middle school’s basement. The study will be completed by the architect for the new high school and elementary addition, JCJ Architecture.

In future agenda items, the Board agreed to discuss next steps with the potential bus lot, which it was pointed out may have implications on a school start time decision and budgetary impacts.

Cipollone reflected on the new year and suggested “goals I hope we can achieve during this New Year. I hope we can reignite a love of reading for all of our students.” He stressed the importance of literacy and pondered “maybe turning off our devices and finding time for kids to shut things off and pick up a book.”

Former board member, Ms. Stephanie Strazza, was recognized for her years of service with a special plaque and a round of applause.

The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 18, 7:00 p.m.