At the heart of the discussion was whether to permit “full threat” to use the school’s gym facilities, especially given overlapping requests from the local recreation department. While the recreation department typically takes precedence for facility bookings, the timing of requests, notably for Lincoln and F gyms on Mondays and Saturdays, added a layer of complexity to the decision. A concern over setting precedents for facility booking, particularly the possibility of last-minute requests blocking out other entities, intensified the conversation. The board chose to table the decision for further discussions in an executive session.

Amidst these deliberations, Superintendent Giovanni Giancaspro highlighted a noteworthy increase in student enrollment, a surge of 34 students, bringing the total to 770. Encouragingly, the month of September witnessed no harassment, intimidation, or bullying investigations. The school board also took a moment to honor Robin Alfreda and Alonso Alfreda for their unwavering commitment to the district. Robin, known for her active role in town and the school, dedicated over 33 years to the educational community, while Alonso, praised for fostering an apt learning environment, served as a bus driver.

In financial matters, questions arose regarding resolution items, particularly in relation to building and grounds expenses, with funds amounting to $920,827.30 being discussed. On the topic of special education, an increase in student numbers in the district was disclosed. A board member proudly remarked, “we have one of the best special ed departments around,” emphasizing the drive to enhance Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and bolster parental involvement.

The district’s efforts to improve professional development did not go unnoticed. There’s a focus on leveraging coaches in critical subjects like math, science, and ELA, and the board is actively seeking grants to support student tutoring, even considering tapping into the expertise of retired staff.

Legislation matters also found their way to the table. The board discussed the formation of a “threat assessment team” in collaboration with Southberg and Jointure Commission, emphasizing the need to understand Bill A475. Another prospective legislation, though still in its nascent stages, touched upon the possibility of canceling school lunch debts. The board voiced concerns over this potentially being “another unfunded mandate.”

Lastly, as the community continues to navigate the ebbs and flows of the pandemic, there was talk of revisiting mask mandates in classrooms, with decisions to hinge on future guidelines from the Department of Health.

In the hearing of citizens segment, a community member expressed her intention to run for a seat in the upcoming Board of Education election.