At the Thursday, February 5, New Fairfield Board of Education meeting, the group waded into the topic of possibly making masks optional in schools in the near future. With a state mandate expiration approaching on February 15, and plans for an extension in question, board members began to express their thoughts on the loaded topic.

Mr. Greg Flanagan pointed out the wisdom in beginning the discussion, given that there “could be a radical change” in the state’s mandate regarding masks in near future, going on to say that he is in favor of the choice being made at the family level. Both Ms. Amy Johnson and Mr. Tim Blair agreed.

Ms. Kathy Baker said that she was interested to hear from the staff on the matter, and Superintendent Dr. Pat Cosentino agreed, saying that she will work with the union to survey the staff on their thoughts. Ms. Kim LaTourette stressed the importance of mindful communication surrounding the potential switch, saying also that she is in favor of family choice. Witnessing a chaotic switch in rules at the New York school she teaches at was eye opening, “I was able to, as a teacher, see both perspectives. I saw some students come to school so excited not to wear a mask…But I also saw kids that for the last three years have been wearing masks, and they were upset and uncomfortable in the classroom because they have been told for several years that the mask protects you.” She went on to say that children “do better and feel better when expectations are…communicated and they’re aware of it and it’s not a surprise.” She expressed hope that optional masks will become normalized, so that kids can feel comfortable either wearing them or not and not be judged either way. Board Chair Mr. Dominic Cipollone agreed, saying “hopefully, we move forward and we make the best decision, and we allow families to make these decisions in terms of what’s best for their children.”

Ms. Stephanie Strazza said that “I know the state said that they would be handing down guidelines from the health department and we’d have to work with our local health department just to make sure that we are making a decision that is safe for everyone, while taking into consideration what families think is best for their kids.”

Cosentino noted that the state deadline expiration aligns with the next board meeting. She explained that she would ask the town’s Health Director, Mr. Tim Simpkins to join that board meeting and she suggested that, if the board agrees to make masks optional, “it would make sense to start that on the Wednesday when we get back from President’s weekend. So it gives us a chance to communicate properly and let people have conversations with their family.” In a Covid update, the board members learned that the case numbers have all decreased sharply, though staff absences are still higher than normal.

Following a trio of budget workshops in the preceding week, the BOE dove deeper into particular line items. Given the scrutiny of, and interest in belt tightening for, this budget, some board members were ready to point out areas that might be revisited. District administrators, in turn, came prepared to give up an additional two positions–one new teacher that had been proposed to provide additional help to English-language learners and one social worker position that opened recently after a resignation. Looking closely at the staffing cuts, LaTourette expressed uncertainty regarding the plan to eliminate a Meeting House Hill School (MHHS) physical education teacher and shift the program from instruction every two days to every four, instead filling that fourth day special with a STEAM course. She also questioned the leap in class size for 5th grade, with one less teacher. Board members have discussed class sizes in-depth in January meetings and did so again at this one, as they are attempting to meet student needs while balancing costs.

When the touchy topic of cutting an administrator or two was introduced at this meeting, Cosentino said “we could survive one cut of an administrator if we had to, we couldn’t survive two.” She was similarly blunt when the topic of possible secretarial staff eliminations was introduced, saying that–despite the Central Office and secondary schools holding the most secretarial positions–it would be Consolidated or MHHS that would be most appropriate for a cut, if one was agreed upon.

Ms. Samantha Mannion questioned why the conference and travel across the entire district totals almost $45,000, saying “I’m trying to understand what the necessity is and that when we’re in this type of a crunch, I don’t understand why people can’t reduce their conference and their travel… if we’re looking at making cuts that would be at the very top of my list. I think maybe this is the year that people need to stay home.”

There was a brief discussion regarding the large technology budget and ways the district might be able to save, but Directory of Technology Dr. Karen Fildes explained the ramifications of leaving the equipment replacement cycle that the district is on and board members acquiesced on the matter. She also explained that the equipment costs have dramatically risen, in large part, due to supply chain issues and chip shortages.

Cosentino gave a mid-year update on her goals, saying that she is happy with the progress in all areas. She pointed out that, especially regarding Covid, “we’ve been very flexible when we need to be flexible.” The board will discuss her mid-year evaluation in Executive Session at their next meeting.

The board voted to approve the 2022-2023 District Calendar. Given the opening of CELA, the district start date will be September 6, later than in recent years.

In public comment, teachers spoke out against reducing any further positions in the budget. A parent spoke in favor of keeping the elementary schools separate. The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 15, 7:00 p.m.

By Sarah Opdahl