By Cherry Dumaual

NEW FAIRFIELD – The New Fairfield Board of Education’s (BOE) Regular Meeting returned in full swing on Thursday, August 15, after a summer break.  It kicked off a packed agenda with a report from New Fairfield Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ken Craw about nearly staffing all of the classrooms after actively recruiting. He noted that class sizes aligned with budgeted goals.

Dr. Craw said, “We have been out there hiring the best and the brightest … We have over 20 new staff members, and that is a significant number of new staff. So we’ll be focusing on our onboarding process in our orientation process.” They are still actively recruiting for a school psychologist.

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Kristine Woleck reviewed the summer curriculum work and its alignment with the school district’s newly adopted Strategic Plan, designed to guide the ongoing schools’ improvement. She highlighted the participation of 60 staff members in 11 different projects, totaling over 200 days of work. The projects focused on curriculum design, instructional goals, and wellness, with a tool developed for curriculum design and resources for back-to-school families. Dr. Woleck expressed her appreciation for the energy and enthusiasm for the teachers’ involvement. Looking ahead, the back-to-school day for students is on Thursday, August 29.

During the meeting, there was an update from a representative from Striving to Reach Individual and Diverse Educational Success — also known as S.T.R.I.D.E.S. It is a special education program for 18- to 21-year-olds in the New Fairfield school district who are eligible to receive additional support beyond 12th grade. Since transition services are mandated by the state, the New Fairfield school district is obligated to provide special education to students from age 3 until the day they turn 22 who are eligible for such services.

The first STRIDES update referred to the rental agreement between the collaboration of Newtown and New Fairfield. The zoning officer approved the space. After the fire marshal‘s review and approval, New Fairfield and Newtown will get the certificate of occupancy. Meanwhile, work continues on the space with an installed new carpet throughout the entire place, walls painted, new blinds on all the windows, and the kitchen space currently in the works.  There was an inventory of current furniture and items between the two districts, and both have divided up what supplies are being bought through it, through grant money. There is a wait for confirmation from the fire marshal, and when that visit will take place, a welcome letter will be going out to families, the STRIDES families and students including a Meet and Greet for students and their families to take place on September 10, with a time to be determined. Thrilled about the STRIDES update, the board members expressed their desire to learn about the cost savings by having two districts to collaborate to help students succeed.

Items also discussed during the meeting include the stadium lighting and turf track replacement, an update on the Consolidated School demolition, and the propane issue at the New Fairfield High School with tanks drained, filled with new propane, and tested, showing acceptable levels except for one room.

Regarding the propane issue, BOE Chair Dom Cipollone asked Mr. Scott Pellman, Colliers project leader, about the plan for ongoing testing to make sure the levels stay within the proper range. Colliers plans to establish a testing protocol with the town’s fire marshal and the school administration, and is looking at putting sensors in the rooms to test for the smell that would issue an alert if the numbers went above acceptable.

During the initial public participation section of the meeting, a letter from high school student Ronnie Gibson, was read. Based on his middle school years, Gibson raised concerns about the current fire alarm tone at the middle school, suggesting a less dramatic tone for students with sensory issues. He noted that switching the tone of the fire alarm to a less dramatic one will accommodate students with sensory issues and autism. Addressing Gibson’s letter Chair Cipollone said, “Ronnie, thank you for that. It sheds light on making sure that we address the needs of all of our students … Given the fact that you’ve left middle school, and you still are concerned about kids in middle school who may be dealing with this issue, says a lot about you.”

The meeting adjourned with an uplifting tone and message from Chair Cipollone,”This is going to be an amazing year, and that the strategic plan work is just a game changer. The level of professionalism from our district leadership is second to none. And you know, through these challenging times as a community, we come together and support one another and support our families. So on that note, enjoy the rest of the summer.”

The next regular meeting of the New Fairfield Board of Education is scheduled for Thursday, September 19 at 7 p.m.