On Thursday, January 6, New Fairfeld’s Board of Education heard a report about the high percentages of student and staff absence following the holidays, with almost 25% of students out of school at the week’s beginning. In response, and in following new state guidance, Assistant Superintendent Ms. Julie Luby explained that several protocols had been shifted to better accommodate those learning from home.

Stopping short of offering the room and zoom scenario that was the norm last year, Luby said that secondary teachers will offer “a window” into the classroom. For now, teachers will open a Zoom link in each class that will allow the students at home to hear what is happening in the classroom. Though students at home will not be able to communicate or participate during the lessons, this provides a new opportunity that has not yet been made available to quarantining secondary students this year. Elementary students who are learning from home will continue to join Q School for direct learning, which has temporarily been bumped up from 2 teachers to 5 to better accommodate the surge in need. 

Luby explained that, while Covid accounts for many of the absences, cause also lies with colds and other illnesses. At this point, she said, if “you have any symptoms, you’re to stay home.” That’s the “most important aspect of our new COVID protocols… people should not be in school with symptoms.” Whi le presenting the week’s data, Luby noted that “we had only two nurses on our best day of the week and so our data has been collected a little bit differently.” She said that plans will shift, “None of us have crystal balls. So we’re taking it just a little bit at a time as we figure out how best to respond.” She noted that the Covid data dashboard that communicates current data is being revamped and will be updated daily, rather than weekly. S he also expressed hope that the current situation would resolve itself quickly.

The school board unanimously approved three new courses for the high school: Advanced Music Technology, Black and Latino Studies, and an Early College Experience (ECE) class on Popular Music and Diversity in American Society. Superintendent Dr. Pat Cosentino noted that the school is being recognized for its high number of ECE offerings; the classes provide the opportunity for students to take college-level courses and earn college credit.

Director of Business and Operations Dr. Richard Sanzo gave a brief update on the construction of the two new school buildings. He stressed that internal and external teams worked hard to coordinate the projects that were completed over the holiday break, including those that required electricity and other utilities to be shut off. He gave thanks to Mr. George Martignetti, who recently stepped down from the Permanent Building Committee following a move out of town, and to Don Kellogg who has assumed leadership of the committee. In board member comments, Mr. Greg Flanagan also thanked Martignetti and said that he was happy that Kellogg was voted in as Chair, pointing out that he is “very qualified and will be great to work with.”

In her Superintendent’s Report, Cosentino encouraged interested parties to apply for open positions, including paraprofessionals, bus drivers, cafeteria aides, and crossing guards. She thanked the staff for their hard work during the challenging return to school after break.

In discussing future board meeting agenda items, Ms. Kim LaTourette asked again for an update on SpeakUp a nd other security issues. It was agreed that a security-related Executive Session will be added to the next BOE meeting. In addition, Mr. Dominic Cipollone asked for a future presentation on, and discussion of, block scheduling.

In public comment, Ms. Kim Beames spoke regarding the safety and supervision of the students at New Fairfield High School. She questioned the logic behind cafeteria supervision, a security breach that occurred with a teenager from another district, and expressed concern regarding the call for a 0% budget from the town’s Board of Finance, given the increase in expenses in so many areas, including security. Ms. Samantha Mannion encouraged any parents who have concerns about safety to attend the Security and Safety Committee meetings.

Several parents and board member Ms. Amy Johnson spoke out against the vaccination van’s presence at the schools. Fearing that it blurs the lines, given tha t the vaccine is politicized for many people, they asked that the vaccination van be made available at another location. There were also c omments regarding bullying about vaccination status.

The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m. There will be a Special Board of Education meeting to allow for the presentation of the Superintendent’s Budget at 6:30 p.m. on the same evening.

By Sarah Opdahl