By Cherry Dumaual

NEW FAIRFIELD — New Fairfield Board of Education (BOE) Chair Dominic Cipollone kicked off the regular Thursday meeting on March 7 with a collaborative note about the budget season. “We have important budget meetings. I really hope that we come together as a community and we all listen. We listen to Finance, the Board of Finance listens to us, and we come to a place where we put the needs of our kids first…I’m looking forward to coming meetings with the Board and getting to a place that makes sense for the entire community.”

Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Craw acknowledged the many budget meetings and noted that March is Connecticut Board Member Appreciation Month. “I certainly recognize that, for you as volunteers, you have a lot of meetings this time of the year especially. You are away from your families a lot … this is Board Member Appreciation Month that was put into the month of March because of this budget season … a big thank you from the administration … the community …for all your hard work and services.”

Dr. Craw also reported that the BOE’s negotiations regarding the five-year bus contract is continuing.  He said that the start times for the 2024-2025 school year will remain the same, while the studies about the best practices are in process.

Board members took turns with updates on curriculum, policies and administrative matters. For instance, Mr. Tim Blair discussed the curriculum subcommittee’s meeting about strategic planning, and goal refinement for three goals: engaging K-12 curriculum, innovative challenging instruction, and student wellness. Vice Chair Samantha Mannion presented policies, including electronic participation in education meetings. The conclusion, at the present time, is that the technology will not support any kind of hybrid delivery system.

Dr. Craw’s update on the bus lot fully engaged the Board members, when he reported on his meeting with the New Fairfield First Selectman Ms. Melissa Lindsey to discuss the importance of bringing a group together to talk about where the town is with the bus lot, and how to move forward together for an effective resolution. The meeting led to the formation of a representative group of key individuals. This group includes Dr. Craw, the First Selectman, Chair Cipollone, PBC Chair Don Kellogg, Town Engineer Tony Iadarola, Zoning Enforcement Officer Evan White, High School Principal James D’Amico, Middle School Principal Karen Gruetzner, Athletic Director Mark Ottusch, Director of Business Operations Carrie Depuy, and Senior Project Manager Scott Pellman of Colliers Project Leaders.

For perspective, they reviewed a 2021 June memo to the Zoning Commission, which listed locations. This prompted the discussion of action items, such as creating a formal list of written criteria for the identification of sites that would be viable for a location for the parking lot. After looking at all possible locations, they will whittle down the list, and compare pros and cons. NF BOE Director of Business Operations Carrie Depuy will map out current bus operations, the number of buses, locations, and the timing of buses coming and going. The group aims to have a fuller picture of the bus lot project to come to an evidence-based decision. The findings of the representative group will be posted on the BOE website.

Chair Cipollone said he left the meeting with a sense of hope. He remarked that looking at the resulting data to apply to sites will take the emotion out and help decide on the best place for the bus lot.

Board member Susan Huwer expressed concern about the preponderance of school representatives in the group. She brought up that neighbors, students, and committees should be considered when picking the site and urged looking at other towns. When she asked why principals were involved, Dr. Craw said that principals have tremendous input on children’s safety. He further said that th is newly formed group is a good first step, providing momentum to move forward, with the guidance of the town engineer.

Other Board members conveyed their optimism with this new development. Mr. Ed Sbordone shared that he is glad the committee has gotten together…going through proper channels, determining the best and worst sites, with the goal of making a decision based on facts.

Ms. Kimberly LaTourette, Board Secretary, commented: “Only progress we have seen. I am hopeful.”

The next regular New Fairfield Board of Education is scheduled on Thursday, March 21, at 7 p.m. via Zoom.