Principal Reports Positive Student Outcomes for Class of 2026

By Cherry Dumaual

NEW FAIRFIELD — The November 5 New Fairfield Board of Education (BOE) regular meeting featured two contrasting discussions: a tense exchange with representatives of the high school’s construction, engineering and design teams over the October water pipe leak that flooded part of the building and a positive report on post-graduation outcomes for the Class of 2026.

Board Questions Cause of Water Leak and Construction Oversight

The water pipe leak discussion began with Director of Business and Operations Carrie DePuy, who provided an overview of the incident and introduced representatives attending the meeting, including those from Colliers International and Consulting Engineering Services.

DePuy explained that the most significant damage was to the high school gym floor. Gym classes are being moved to the Legacy Gym at the middle school while repairs are pending. Although the district hopes to complete repairs by mid-December, the work will likely extend into the new year.

Cipollone opened the questioning by asking the representatives directly, “How did this leak happen?”

A project representative explained that the leak resulted from an improperly crimped mechanical pipe connection. Although the system had undergone pressure testing during construction, the connection held for years before failing.

The explanation also indicated that most pipe fittings are designed to reveal improper installation during pressure testing. However, certain valves do not have this feature, making it possible for an improperly installed connection to pass testing without leaking.

Board members expressed concern upon learning that a similar problem involving an improperly crimped valve had occurred previously.

One board member asked, “So why didn’t you do a visual inspection of all the other ones at that time?”

Vice Chair Samantha Mannion questioned who was responsible for ensuring that the piping was properly installed before the school opened.

A representative responded, “So the contractor is ultimately responsible for installing what’s on the drawings.”

He further explained that engineers conduct regular site observations but do not inspect every pipe connection. In this case, the improperly crimped valve had been covered by insulation shortly after installation, making the problem difficult to detect.

Cipollone repeatedly emphasized the substantial taxpayer investment in the approximately $80 million school project.

When a representative described the high school as a “very beautiful building,” Cipollone quickly responded, “I know it’s beautiful, but it’s not working properly. Is it working properly when you have this kind of a situation? I mean, I appreciate everyone being here, but we have a problem.”

Concerns About Water Monitoring and Alarm System

Another major concern was why the building’s monitoring system did not alert personnel to the leak or prevent extensive flooding.

A representative explained that the building has controls that monitor water pressure, but alarm notifications did not reach personnel outside the building.

“The alarms did not make it out of the building, and that’s something that we would implement a test for,” the representative said.

The team discussed improvements, including alerts that would notify designated personnel of significant pressure drops, allowing someone to investigate and manually shut off the water supply.

Next Steps: Inspections and System Improvements

The team recommended identifying valves that may not reveal improper installation during pressure testing and conducting visual inspections of their connections.

Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Craw said, “Carrie and I will be following up to talk about what that process would look like and to have that expedited.”

Project representatives also plan to review the building’s computerized control system and recommend improvements to its alarm and notification process.

A representative from Colliers International acknowledged the Board’s concerns and emphasized the project team’s commitment to resolving the problems and providing updates.

“We understand the urgency of this, and you know we’re all here to try and reinforce that we are actively working on resolving this, continuing to provide information to this board so you can get it out to your constituents.”

Cipollone stressed the importance of transparency, accountability, and long-term reliability.

“We love the building. We just want to make sure it’s working properly for the next 40 years,” he said.

Board members continued discussing the pipe failure after the engineering team left.

Mannion strongly criticized the installation failure and questioned why no one had identified the company responsible.

“It’s a negligent installation of a piece of very important construction material that failed because it wasn’t installed correctly … this stuff doesn’t happen when people do their jobs correctly, and I don’t see anybody standing up here in this group that was here this evening saying this is the company responsible. These are the individuals that we’re going to hold responsible. I just feel like everyone’s just trying to smooth it over as like some sort of act of God. It happened because of negligence, and I think we have to call it what it is, and I think we have to proceed accordingly.”

Class of 2026 Graduates Pursue Diverse Paths

In a more positive portion of the meeting, NFHS Principal Dr. Katherine Blore presented the Student Outcomes Report for the Class of 2026, highlighting graduates’ post-secondary plans and the school’s efforts to prepare students for college, careers, and other opportunities.

Blore credited Director of School Counseling Kim Laughlin and her team for their “incredible job of collecting all of this wonderful data to share with the BOE.”

According to Blore, the number of graduates choosing four-year colleges has increased over the past three years. Interest in two-year colleges and trade programs has also grown, while other graduates pursue military service, employment, or gap years.

“We have to say more kids than ever before have a plan,” Blore said, emphasizing the school’s commitment to helping students and families make informed decisions about life after high school.

Students are also submitting more college applications, including to highly selective institutions. Blore noted that application fee waivers offered by some universities are making the process more accessible.

Financial considerations and proximity to home remain important factors in college decisions. Among the institutions frequently attended by NFHS graduates are UConn and Western Connecticut State University. Blore also highlighted opportunities to begin at two-year Connecticut state colleges for free and transfer to four-year institutions for significant cost savings.

The school’s counseling team offers individual guidance, college application workshops, financial aid assistance, and career exploration opportunities. Its senior Kickstart program helps students complete college essays, applications, and financial aid requirements.

Blore also highlighted a student visit to the Culinary Institute of America, where participants met with an admissions counselor. One Class of 2026 graduate enrolled at the institute, with additional students considering applying this year.

The discussion emphasized the value of career and technical education. The district is exploring opportunities to incorporate industry-recognized credentials into appropriate high school courses.

Dr. Craw praised the school’s efforts to help students navigate the transition to college, careers and independent adulthood.

The next regular meeting of the New Fairfield Board of Education is scheduled for Thursday, December 3, at 7 p.m. Residents may attend BOE regular meetings in person or watch recordings available on the district website.