On Thursday, August 18, New Fairfield’s Board of Education (BOE) approved an increase from three to four classrooms for the Early Learning Center (ELC), taking the program to eight sections of morning and afternoon preschool. Administrators have closely monitored the ELC enrollment as it has increased, for both class size and the potential for over 50% special education students per class. This move ensures that the program will be fully staffed, better prepared for any unanticipated students who move into the district or are referred, and that it can be run as it has in the past.
The fourth ELC classroom will require a teacher and two paraprofessionals and will be housed in what would have been a first-grade classroom in the new elementary addition. Administrators noted that there is a backup plan for where to house the first-grade class. They will initially bring furniture up to the new building from the existing ELC to meet the needs of the program but will plan to purchase approximately $30K in new furniture for the room, with funds from the construction project, to match the other three ELC rooms.
Initially, there was public outcry when the program was reduced to three classrooms from four. However, Pupil Personnel Services Director Ms. Katherine Matz reminded the board that she said then that they would “make decisions based on what our needs are,” which they have done with this increase. Matz reminded the school board that, “we have an obligation to educate students in the least restrictive environment and that determination, about the least restrictive environment, is made on an individual basis. But the presumption is that we always look at the general education setting first…If they require a more restrictive environment as an individual, then we make that decision through the PPT process.”
Matz explained that there are many benefits to offering an inclusive setting, which is how the ELC is designed to be run, with a mix of students with disabilities and students who are considered “typically developing.” The BOE learned that there are sixteen students on the waitlist for the ELC and were assured that administrators will work quickly to contact those parties to offer the newly opened spots. Administrators acknowledged that most families will be in, or past, the final decision-making stages for preschool.
Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Craw spoke about his academic year entry plans. Highlights include being intentionally visible during meet and greets and when school begins; continuing to meet with board members to further facilitate close, working relationships; and getting to know staff through focused conversations.
Craw explained that there will be many new staff starting–there continues to be a tight, competitive recruitment market for teachers and other staff. Last-minute hires include elementary general education and special education teachers; one middle school math teacher; and more. There are still outstanding positions to fill, such as a nurse, a Spanish teacher, and an athletic trainer at the high school, an ILS teacher at the middle school position, and more. Principal Mr. James D’Amico has backup plans in case the high school positions are not filled.
The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 1, 7:00 p.m.
By Sarah Opdahl