By Cherry Dumaual

The New Fairfield Board of Education (BOE) kicked off the October 1st Regular Meeting with good news from Superintendent Dr. Ken Craw, referring to the new and improved lights installed on Rebels Stadium ahead of schedule and the approval of the high school track and turf field replacement. “Moving forward, the lights are illuminated, we are very pleased that we are going to have Friday Night Lights this coming Friday. It is very exciting.”

NF High School sports teams, youth programs, and the community as a whole will once again be able to use the stadium in the evenings.  Dr. Craw thanked NF town leaders for their collaborative approach and support.

In his Chairman’s Report, Chair Dominic Cipollone stressed the importance of teacher attendance and cost-effectiveness. He emphasized that “attendance is a critically important aspect of the daily life. We expect it of our students and we expect it of our teachers and administrators … it is just so important for teachers to be present every day. That is the expectation of this Board, the superintendent, and the leadership that teachers are present every day and prepared to teach our students who deserve nothing less…we need to be mindful of the cost of substitute teachers and how that impacts the budget. So let’s all stay as healthy as possible and make sure we are present each and every day for our kids.”

One of the meeting’s main agenda items focused on student performance metrics and curriculum improvements, including the following.  Advanced Placement (AP) tests showed significant growth, with 50% of students scoring 3 or higher. SAT scores were stable, with 10% meeting benchmarks in reading and writing, and 5% in math. Smarter Balanced assessments maintained stability. Cohort analysis highlighted progress in English language arts but noted challenges in the 5th to 6th grade transition. Science curriculum improvements are underway, with new assessments and resources. Technical changes include adjusting the timing of science assessments and enhancing collaboration among teachers.

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Kristine Woleck proudly announced in relatio n to the AP, “We showed some really nice data here, some very nice growth that we’re very proud of, and just today, we received notification from the College Board that we have been named an honorable high school for our performance this past year.”

Board member Timothy Blair shared a curriculum-related update on the Gifted and Talented Program. “This year, we have restructured the program, rebranded it as Project Reach. That is where students now have their gifted and talented instruction every other day during their room block, which allows time for true gifted programming and allows these students to further pursue their learning passion and better meet the needs of the gifted learners.”

Introducing the new junior student representative Emilia Sedlak, Chair Cipollone said that one of the highlights of their meetings is the student representative report. He noted that Ms. Sedlak, in her new role, is “already taking charge,” presenting alone confidently. She reported on various school activities, including college visits, club fairs, and upcoming events like the National Honor Society application deadline and junior class trip to Washington, DC.

In terms of policies, the BOE discussed and approved a revised cell phone policy, effective October 28, with changes including a “Bring Your Own Device by Student BYOD Agreement” and an “Acceptable Use Policy.” Board member Susan Huwer opposed the policy and explained her concerns about the policy’s effectiveness. She cited issues with previous enforcement and suggested stricter measures, such as immediate office referrals for first offenses and escalating penalties. The board members agreed to revisit the policy’s implementation and effectiveness later in the fall, ensuring it aligns with state recommendations and addresses student behavior and mental health concerns. They also emphasized the need for clear communication and enforcement across all school levels.

The next regular meeting of the New Fairfield Board of Education is scheduled for Thursday, October 7, 7:00 p.m.