NF BOE Looks Ahead to New School Year

By Cherry Dumaual

NEW FAIRFIELD – With the 2024–2025 school year ending on June 13, New Fairfield School Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Craw used his superintendent’s report to reflect on the year’s accomplishments. He began by thanking teachers, board members, community members, and colleagues for their contributions.

Reflecting on collective achievements, Dr. Craw said, “This year has been a testament to the dedication, resilience and collaboration of our teachers, staff, students and families. Together, we’ve made significant strides in academic excellence, fiscal responsibility and community engagement.”

In the area of fiscal responsibility and planning, he noted, “With respect to our operating budget, we successfully passed the operating budget on the first referendum, and over the past three years, each successive request from the administration and the board has come in at least a percentage point lower … and, in terms of our capital budget, our five-year capital plan remains on track. This is really important.”

Among the year’s accomplishments, Dr. Craw highlighted the stadium turf and track project, the oil tank replacement, and the restoration of lower-level classrooms at the middle school, which will bring four classrooms back into use. “These enhancements are vital to maintaining and improving our facilities,” he said.

Turning to academics, Dr. Craw shared preliminary standardized testing results. “At this time, the state has not issued them. We are able, as a district, to get a window into what they look like, and our preliminary results from standardized testing are suggestive of incremental improvements in reading, math and science. These gains are attributed to the implementation of new resources and curricula, particularly in math and reading, as well as the increased use of data to inform instruction.” He praised teachers for embracing data-driven instruction.

On curriculum development, Dr. Craw acknowledged Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kristine Woleck’s leadership: “Our team has made significant progress in developing comprehensive curriculum framework. This work has been instrumental in establishing common expectations around learning standards and ensuring alignment with our strategic goals … Our K–12 STEAM curriculum has seen a high level of student engagement, with robotics programs flourishing both at the middle and high school levels. The new STEAM facilities at the elementary and middle schools provide the necessary infrastructure to support these initiatives. We’re very proud of that.”

Dr. Craw also highlighted the district’s literacy program, grounded in the science of reading, and credited the efforts of teachers, instructional leaders, Dr. Woleck, and Campus Principal Allyson Story. He noted that the renovation and reopening of the Middle School Library had further supported both literacy and digital learning.

The district’s success in the performing arts was another highlight. “Our music programs garnered national acclaim, earning the prestigious Best Communities of Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation. This recognition highlights our commitment to providing comprehensive music education accessible to all students. Our students have excelled in various musical endeavors, including performance at regional festivals. These experiences not only showcase their talent, but also enrich their educational journey. So our comprehensive programming supports all our students. In terms of our theater programs, we now have programs across all three schools, which is remarkable.”

As the report concluded, Dr. Craw looked ahead to the summer and the upcoming school year. He reaffirmed the district’s commitment to continuous improvement. Several curriculum projects are planned over the summer, and the leadership team will hold a retreat in mid-July at the high school library to continue advancing their strategic plan.

He expressed his gratitude to the Board of Education and the broader community: “Together, we’ve achieved important milestones, and I’m confident that we will continue to build upon the success in the future.”

Also on the agenda was an update on the NF Middle School Curriculum and Threat Assessment protocols. The middle school will pilot the Accept, Identify, Move curriculum with seventh graders to support social, emotional, and behavioral skills. Two teachers and a school counselor will lead professional development to train general education teachers in using the program’s tools and strategies. Additionally, the school’s Threat Assessment protocol is being updated to ensure clear procedures are in place for identifying and responding to potential risks.

During the meeting, Dr. Craw introduced consultants commissioned by the NF BOE to present findings from the Shared Services Study. The goal is to evaluate current financial operations and identify opportunities for collaboration between the school district and town government. By interviewing key stakeholders and analyzing roles, responsibilities, and existing agreements, the study promotes a “team sport” approach. The aim is to improve efficiency, streamline operations such as purchasing and accounts payable, and deliver stronger outcomes than working independently. The next step is to convene school and town leaders—including the superintendent and the new director of finance—over the summer to begin drafting a shared services model.

The next regular meeting of the New Fairfield Board of Education is scheduled for Thursday, August 21 at 7 p.m.