By Michelle L. Santoro

SHERMAN – In what turned out to be the longest meeting of the year, the Sherman School Board of Education (“BOE” or “Board”) met for its regular meeting on May 6 and was immersed in lengthy discussions and debate over potential participation in the National School Lunch program (“NSL”) and potential changes to the upcoming school year’s calendar and awards night.

During the budget formation process, the school’s administration received a  request from the BOE to look at possible ways to participate in the National School Lunch (“NSL”) program, with Ed Advance as Sherman’s sponsor for the program.  Assistant Principal Dr. Karen Fildes spoke briefly about the benefits of working through a sponsor.  All of the program regulations discussed during the budget process would be handled by the experts – Ed Advance in this case (“EA”).  EA would also hire a Chef and staff to work in a “scratch kitchen” fostering a “farm-to-table” scenario and handle payroll; Sherman would contract with EA as a provider of the program.  In order to be considered a member under EA’s NSL program certain things must be put in place, including Healthy Food Certification.

Becky Tyrell, from EA, answered numerous questions for the Board, including what it means to be a sponsor in the NSL Program.  She pointed out that it is a complicated, heavily regulated program that creates more work for those who participate. Ed Advance is a regional education service center (“REST”) for this region that provides food service assistance, so schools don’t have to operate the program – EA takes care of it and ensures participating schools are program compliant.  Ms. Tyrell, who spent 24 years on the Board of Education in Plainville summarized the program for the Board:  EA is a non-profit, quasi-state agency, it exists to serve children and school districts and currently provides services in 18 different districts.  Tyrell said, EA provides support and resources to people who are “boots to the ground.”

What is healthy food? In Connecticut, it also means the “stuff” served with food – snacks, beverages, which would be sold in a vending machine and in school stores. There are restrictions on the amount of calories, the amount of sodium and sugar that foods in the program can contain.  However, the restrictions only apply to what the school sells; schools cannot mandate or regulate what kids bring to school themselves. 

To participate in the program next year, the BOE must vote to participate in Healthy Food Certification, and then the minutes approving the vote must be approved and sent to the State by July 1.

The Board’s vision is for a scratch kitchen, but it may have to start with a partial scratch kitchen while looking for staff that can truly operate a scratch kitchen.  BOE Member Tim Laughlin noted that the BOE voted against this program in years prior; however, they are “in a unique situation now, we have a new kitchen, and we have an obligation to provide lunch.”  The State is providing significant resources for participants, including free breakfast and $0.10 back for every meal sold.

Some members of the Board felt rushed and did not want to agree to entering into any contract without having seen or discussed such contract.  Tyrell answered the Board’s questions and explained the exemptions (food sold in connection with an event occurring after regular school day or on weekends, sale is at location of event, foods are not sold from vending machines or school stores).  The Board’s biggest concern is losing flexibility, particularly for/in special events.  Tyrell said it is EA’s job to find a way, and in most situations they do.  Ultimately, the Board voted to participate in the program and voted for the exemptions. They requested that the interscholastic agreement be circulated prior to the next board meeting.

For more information, a list of acceptable foods and beverages can be found at: https://portal.ct.gov/sde/nutrition/list-of-acceptable-foods-and-beverages.  From Connecticut’s official state website, “Healthy Food Certification (HFC) under Section 10-215f of the Connecticut General Statutes requires that each board of education or governing authority for all public schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) must certify annually to the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) whether the district will follow the Connecticut Nutrition Standards (CNS) for all foods sold to students separately from reimbursable school meals. The CNS also applies to all foods offered in reimbursable snacks for the Afterschool Snack Program (ASP).” 

In other news, Mr. Laughlin provided an update on the School Renovation Project.  He said the Newfield team was working collectively on a master model for a project schedule.  The unanticipated winter weather resulted in schedule gaps, including delaying September’s planned move-in.  It is Mr. Laughlin’s understanding that a No-Cost change order is in the works to change the date, resulting in a planned “move-in” following Christmas break.  With this update came a proposal to change the previously approved 2026/27 School Calendar.  The proposed changes were a staff start date of September 1, with students beginning September 3, an extension of Christmas break with staff returning January 7 and students returning January 11, and the school year ending June 16 for students, not including school closure days.

There is concern over changing the calendar now, as families were already advised that school would not begin until September 14.  Discussion ensued.  The administration would like time to further consider potential changes. Both the Board and the administration seek input from staff members.  The administration will circulate to the Board different options based on feedback received.  The Board scheduled a Special Meeting at 12:00 on May 13, via ZOOM, to vote on changes to next year’s School Calendar, after which communication to parents would go out.    

Principal Dr. Mary Fernand summarized for the Board updates regarding Awards Night, currently scheduled for May 28.  Communications were sent to parents regarding changing it, and feedback was received.  Mr. Laughlin noted that it’s up to the Board on whether to make changes to awards/awards night.  There appeared to be confusion as to the issue and how/why it appeared as an agenda item.  Previously, the Board received communications regarding how awards night was conducted in the past; the BOE discussed and considered changes.  The gist, too many awards are given considering class/school size, parents did not like awards notifications being transmitted via USPS and awards night being held right before graduation “left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.”  At the end of the discussion, it was agreed that there are too many awards and a Board Policy must be put in place regarding awards going forward; communications regarding awards will be transmitted via email and Awards Night this year will proceed as planned.

As it was Teacher Appreciation week, Dr. Fildes gave a shout out “to all of our amazing faculty” and thanked the SPTO for the “absolute best” daily treats during that week.  She also thanked the student council for the “minute to win-it” assembly for students, which “was amazing” and thanked all administrative professionals, noting that without them “the district would not run.”  SBAC testing was scheduled for the week of May 11, with testing from 9:56 until 11:06.  Prior to the testing each day, the children would be provided a breakfast snack, then a walk around the track was planned with mindfulness exercises; “fun activities” were planned for each afternoon.  For all, the highlight of April was the Beam Raising, which Fildes said was “such an amazing community event.”

BOE  Vice Chair Kate Frey thanked everyone who voted in the Budget referendum and thanked all for their hard work. “We worked really hard with our colleagues at Town Hall, the Town Selectmen; we’re happy that it passed.”  She also thanked the teachers who are the “heart and soul of our community.”  Superintendent Dr. Patricia Cosentino sent a communication advising that the District received approximately $41,000 back from the State, which will go into next year’s budget.

Following a brief discussion regarding global edits, the Board voted unanimously to replace the following with Shipman & Goodman policies:  # 1110.1 Parent –Teacher Communication,  # 1314 Fundraising Activities,  # 3542.22 Model Code of Conduct for Federal Award Procurements,  10.10. Recommended for Second Read: Policy# 5123 Promotion and Retention, # 6115 The Pledge of Allegiance, # 6141.321 Student Use of the District’s Computer Systems and Internet Safety and # 6153 Field Trips.

The following new policies were adopted: Series 3000 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Fiscal Compliance, # 5131.81 Use of Private Technology Devices by Students, Series 5000 Sunscreen Application In School, Series 5000 Student Privacy, Series 5000 Chemical Health Policy for Student Athletes, Series 5000 Educational Stability Procedures for Transportation Coordination with the Department of Children and Families, # 6162.31 IDEA – Alternative Assessments and Series 6000 Parental Access To Instructional Material.  The Board voted unanimously to rescind Policy# 0600 Monitoring and Reporting.

The following policies were on the agenda as recommended First Reads: Policy# 0000 Philosophy of Public Schools, Policy# 0050 Code of Ethics, Policy# 0100 Mission Statement, Policy # 0521 Non-Discrimination and Policy# 1180 Memorials for Deceased Students or Staff, all of which revise former CABE policies, and Policy# 5132 Student Dress, which replaces the CABE policy with a Shipman  & Goodman policy.  The Board voted to wait until next month to possibly approve adding Shipman & Goodwin Policy# 4112.8 Nepotism to its Policy Manual.

Dr. Fernand announced that Sarah Wiggins Photography was chosen as the school’s  new yearbook advisor.  

The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for June 3, and the last meeting of the school year is scheduled for June 17.  The Policy Committee will meet on May 26, and a Curriculum meeting is scheduled for June 1 on ZOOM.