SHERMAN – At its regular board meeting on Wednesday, March 1, the Sherman Board of Education (“BOE” or “BOARD”) enjoyed a performance by the Fourth and Fifth grade chorus, led by Mr. Trinchillo, in honor of Boa rd of Education Appreciation Month.  The Board received applause and recognition from Superintendent Patricia Cosentino, as well as gift bags made by the school’s art students.

Following the well-deserved recognition, Dr. Pat then provided an update of the happenings in school.  Fo r Black History Month students learned about numerous African Americans in history, including Thurgood Marshall and Toni Morrison, culminating with an assembly on March 2.  In honor of Women’s History Month (March), quotes from famous women will be shared every Wednesday.  The school also plans to create cards and celebrate special women in students’ lives.  Lastly, Dr. Pat thanked the SRO’s who “do a fabulous job for us.”  February 15 was SRO Appreciation Day.

Mr. Laughlin provided a comprehensive presentation to the Board, with updates on the Educational Specifications Committee, that included detailed draft building plans. He summarized the Board’s job, which is to “create what are called educational specifications that outline the educational program for the Sherman School both today and in the future.”  The committee worked collaboratively with administration and an architectural team that then worked independently interviewing and trailing faculty and staff.  The draft plans hope to achieve the goals sought in a financially responsible manner while addressing some significant infrastructure concerns.

The plans propose utilizing space more efficiently, including the reworking of the current library, which is quite large for Sherman’s school population. The plan includes a computer lab and innovation space to teach a robotics program, as well as a teacher’s room for middle school faculty to work collaboratively.  Other plans include, but are not limited to, adding showers to the locker room facility, which can then be used by the community in the event of an emergency, and adding a stage at the back of the gymnasium to make it a multipurpose space.

Mr. Laughlin discussed the ongoing remediation of two front classrooms in the kindergarten wing and indicated the Committee’s confidence in success based on the architectural analysis; but being successful will require more than just paint – the space requires a full renovation and rebuild.  Mr. Laughlin also noted that the plan is predicated on the fact that the school remains in operation without the use of portable classrooms.   

Working from revised budget documents and a more “user-friendly” format, the Board discussed the current proposed budget, including Dr. Pat’s recommendation that it be further reduced by reducing one language arts position.  Looking at overall numbers, the plan is to keep sixth grade language arts as a single group, warranting a reduction in staff.  Dr. Pat and other administrators feel, while not ideal, this is the only place in the budget that cuts can be made.  The two seventh and two eighth grade classes will remain.   Dr. Pat noted that most staff is certified K-6 so there is ample staff able to pick up the class, though no decision was made regarding the reallocation.  “It’s unfortunate but we’ll be able to run the school efficiently without that position,” Dr. Pat said.

An increase of over 5% in High School costs and more than 2.5 %, Special Education costs account for a good portion of the overall increases to the proposed budget.  “If you go over this lin e by line, you’ll see there’s not a lot of fluff,” Mr. Laughlin said.  After the discussion, on motion of Mr. Laughlin, seconded by Mr. Philipakos, the Board approved the 2023-2024 Budget Proposal in the amount of $9,579,234 and voted to send it to the Board of Selectmen for consideration.

In other news, the Board discussed a second reading of Series 5000 Policy Regarding Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 – Prohibition of Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment (Students).  On Motion of Mr. Vogt, seconded by Mr. Philipakos, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the policy.

On April 22, the SPTO is hosting the Color Me Sherman Block Party at Veterans Park.  Planned activities include barbeque fare, a color run, chess tables, wheelbarrow, sack, and egg races, music, and more.  Look for volunteer opportunities on the group’s website.  A Paint & Pizza party is also planned for April and the Book Fair is slated for the first week of May.  More information is forthcoming.  Direct questions to duck@gmail.com

The next regular Board of Education Meeting is scheduled April 5, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., in the LMC and via Zoom.  The BOE Policy Committee will meet Tuesday, March 21 at 6:00 p.m.

By Michelle L. Santoro