By Michele L. Santoro

Sherman – With less than a full board, and the children having finished their first week of school, the Sherman Board of Education (“BOE” or “Board” ) met at Mallory Town Hall and via zoom on Wednesday, September 9 for the first meeting of the new school year.

Superintendent Dr. Patricia Cosentino, who previously announced her retirement at the end of the year, delivered her last “Superintendent’s First Update of the new school year.”  She said all was going well and noted they were “off to a good year.”  Dr. Pat  thanked all for their cooperation and thanked those Board members who attended the school’s convocation.

The Superintendent said the biggest issues they face are parking and dismissal. “Parking is tight; dismissal is challenging.”  She asked parents not to come for pick-up before 3:20 as walkers will not be dismissed until all buses have left.  Dr. Pat announced that the school currently has two new interns from the University of Bridgeport.  The interns will work as substitutes and with the teachers; next year they will be student teachers.

The Transportation subcommittee meets on October 8 at 4:30 pm.  Cosentino and Michelle Sanford have a pre-meeting with New Milford High School prior to renewal of bus contract and tuition, after which the Negotiation committee will meet, followed by a meeting with New Fairfield High School.   Dr.  Pat said the new lunch program is working out great. “EdAdvance is doing a wonderful job. The food has been excellent; this is a nice variety, and  you get a lot.” She spoke with students who are “enjoying it very much.”  Lastly, the Superintendent reminded all about a FOIA meeting on September 22 in Mallory Town Hall, or on zoom, at 5:00pm.

Principal Dr. Mary Fernand’s School Opening Review was a picture slide show highlighting the school’s opening.   She gave a shout-out to Sarah Wiggins for the wonderful photographs that “really shows what is happening in the classrooms.”   Fernand said the convocation was “a very special day.  This was Dr. Pat’s very last. So, it was bittersweet, but she wowed the crowd.”  She announced that the school’s band now has 78 student members.  Lastly, the Principal thanked the community for all its support.  “Everyone has been chipping in to make sure we have a successful year.”

Assistant Principal Dr. Karen Fildes presented a demonstration on the school’s new website, which is in a “soft launch.”  She is working with a group called Final Site.  In keeping with a new state law, the school’s curriculums are posted on the new website. Discussion ensued regarding old agendas/minutes/videos  and the requirements surrounding maintenance of them. Board members provided feedback on the new website.  A big change is in privacy.  The school’s bus routes no longer appear on the website; they are now found in the parent portal, which requires login.

The Board approved the hiring of Sharon Stogner (Special Education), Flora Fidje (Building substitute), Jillian Murphy and Edgar Dias (Paraprofessionals) and Yessenia Pagan (BCBA effective 9/23/26), and accepted the resignation of Charles Vogt (Paraprofessional).

Next on the agenda was discussion and possible action regarding budget transfers.  Discussion ensued because not all understood why the transfers were happening and what the authority was for such transfers. BOE member Tim Laughlin explained the rationale for the transfers. He also noted the statutory authority for general budget transfers as well as the school’s Policy number 3160.  Ultimately, the following budget transfers were approved from one area to another to close out prior fiscal year: $4,380.16 from Paraprofessionals to Administrators; $18,526.23 from Paraprofessionals to Summer School; $14,704.29 from Paraprofessionals to Office Support; $2,640.04 from Paraprofessionals to Nurse; $26,999.82 from Paraprofessionals to RBT; $22,630.10 from Paraprofessionals to Temporary Employees (subs); $8,195.99 from Group Insurance to Social Security; $3,094.41 from Finance Retirement to Social Security; $6,856.61 from Pupil Services to Program Improvement; $37,417.40 from Other Professional Services to Program Improvement; $12,495.10 from Repairs and Maintenance to Utilities; $4,360.65 from Repairs and Maintenance to General maintenance; $13,908.76 from Heating to Instructional Supplies; $6,148.85 from Heating to Text and Workbooks; $6,945.85 from Other Purchased Services to Other Supplies; $1,276.69 from HS Homebound to SPED HS pupil service; $1,056.00 from HS Homebound to SPED HS transportation; $212,658.20 from Pupil transportation to Repairs and Maintenance; and $159,461.12 from HS Tuition to Repairs and Maintenance;

The Board also voted to establish a Non-Lapsing Fund (Reserve for Educational Expenditures Fund) in accordance with C.G.S. Section 10-248a; C.G.S. Section 10-51(d)(2); and in accordance with the procedures recommended  by the Sherman Town auditors to approve the transfer of the current estimated audit surplus for fiscal year 2025-2026 of $198,635, or as adjusted during the audit up to 2.00% of the adopted 2025-2026 budget per statute, into such fund.

Lastly, Mr.  Laughlin provided an update on the School Renovation Project.  He said they were “moving forward.” He quickly talked about all the changes, including  windows going in on the East façade, exterior staining, and siding underway.  “It’s very exciting, lots of movement. It’s on schedule, on budget as of today.  So far so good, cross your fingers, cross your toes.  Whatever you do for luck. The weather has not been our friend.”    The School Building Committee hopes to plan another tour around the beginning of October.  He said the last procurement package is due from technology and mentioned that a new tariff policy can possibly impact pricing.  Inspections are ongoing.  Laughlin said completion will be down to the wire for the holidays but is hopeful the opening is still on target.  “We will need all working cooperatively. Changes are now visible.”

The Policy Committee meets on September 23 at 6:00pm.  The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled October 7 at 7:00pm.