[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6394455,"mediaKeyId","2102840-eb869a1997f5588caeaa3b447d0f9457","parentId",2102840,"title","Board presented request to pursue state reimbursement and schematics for Bergen Education Complex partial roof replacement","audioSeconds",162,"startMs",2400000,"endMs",2562000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2102840-eb869a1997f5588caeaa3b447d0f9457&start=2400&end=2562","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2102840-eb869a1997f5588caeaa3b447d0f9457/thumbnail_2400000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6394455/Connecticut/Board-presented-request-to-pursue-state-reimbursement-and-schematics-for-Bergen-Education-Complex-partial-roof-replacement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394455-b4bf53b8116d30e67988402ac5803736/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148597&Signature=OV6~RdWNN5HhVwbRdE5E3YKCaAtNBi~CIQMZEJdf9jrNAmwYNmckcandLaMDUrcsKi~gbg1OjjiN6q-SYojFAQPRTzRyof7lSFp~6mxWJftKh9dTvSoDweDvVR~yP1-uVQ3gYEwlvUcvJNp6~1gHi93qrMhVI83YKRjt8eQRH5I-HHO5gCLC5~v~kIwZQsZqbo4E90YuVEnqiiKdCa1ny~Nf8l5PvtkQ9HyZ2ApipQNgfos-UVKBykAJkEOx-4cy9nCUFY5-oibHcPqIc3EqhgdE~~UiReJePBmoootbvn~fQ~jhaS54NkwF4-JI639vqcDaW6TNJud~EQoKoLfYfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Waterbury School District","date","2025-01-10T12:31:58Z","article","The Waterbury Board of Education was asked on Jan. 7 to approve steps needed to pursue state reimbursement and to advance planning for a partial roof replacement project at the Bergen Education Complex, which includes Crosby High School and Wallace Middle School.

Nick Albini presented the request, saying the complex’s total roof area is about 170,814 square feet and that approximately 160,922 square feet would be replaced — about 98.9% of the roof surface — because some newer sections (the Wallace middle-school new wing and Crosby media center) did not require replacement. Albini said the district seeks permission to: (a) file a non-priority grant application with the state Commissioner of Administrative Services (DAS), (b) prepare schematics, drawings and specifications, and (c) establish a building committee to oversee design and procurement. The presentation noted that the current reimbursement split is 79% state reimbursement and 21% local share.

Albini asked for questions; Commissioner Orschel confirmed the reimbursement split as 79/21 in response to the presentation. The transcript records the request for approval; it does not record the board’s final vote on the grant application or schematic authorization in the provided excerpt.

If authorized and the grant application is successful, the project would move to schematic development and subsequent construction phases subject to state reimbursement rules and local matching funds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Waterbury Board of Education Workshop - January 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District staff requested approval to seek a non-priority grant through the Department of Administrative Services to fund schematic design, specifications and to form a building committee for a near-total roof replacement at the Bergen Education Complex (Crosby High and Wallace Middle).","taxTitle","Waterbury School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",14343,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6394460,"Board swears in Yarixa Lopez to fill Waterbury Board of Education vacancy",79,215000,294000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2102840-eb869a1997f5588caeaa3b447d0f9457&start=215&end=294","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2102840-eb869a1997f5588caeaa3b447d0f9457/thumbnail_215000.jpg","/articles/6394460/Connecticut/Board-swears-in-Yarixa-Lopez-to-fill-Waterbury-Board-of-Education-vacancy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394460-294a3b8cf3a1cf4dcb84c777ee88bfb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148597&Signature=O-SH5zKfSvV7hOCHxT7EfZv0d4CzSSPzZGf6CecMfjU-~nvoPYgBFNmLtD6pGqRnN8Yc1uR7EohLUknnetYVEdGOfQ-AHJtbCVZZmXPeT50K3vc4jLPoXVdJRbTrrK7aIc-U-kiPwWfwtM71CGvkT9jxufb4k8yOfRtmv20DGJoZV3q05wGtWeoBXR3hqg7cLnhFjZLdFc6NVlR4Mt9J~f-V1E3qHpHHBipPFlyfNlMOF8EDgXX~Rj0YjzUd-51XIukMF2bywOvNA9fToc45iC048diS3nAP4pFja2fyOgNi0f0l-DGVFSTPNk5Sm6StZyIs11ydktE0~E8v17EupA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Waterbury Board of Education on Jan. 7 swore in Yarixa Lopez to fill one of two current board vacancies.

Mayor [identified in meeting remarks] introduced Lopez as his choice for the vacancy, praising her community ties and work at Waterbury Hospital. The mayor said Lopez is a lifelong Waterbury resident who came from Puerto Rico at age 6, is a product of the district and is the mother of two children who attended district schools.

After the introduction, the mayor administered the oath of office. Lopez repeated the oath and accepted the position; the transcript records her response, “I do.” The board and meeting attendees welcomed the new commissioner.

Lopez later offered brief remarks about her upbringing in Waterbury, her fluency and experience as a student in local schools, and her stated desire to represent communities that may feel overlooked. She said she looked forward to serving on the board. The oath and remarks occurred during the meeting’s opening items; the transcript records the swearing-in but not a separate roll-call vote for appointment in the excerpt provided.

The board will show Lopez’s name in official minutes and board rosters following normal administrative processing.","Yarixa Lopez was sworn in to a vacancy on the Waterbury Board of Education during the Jan. 7 meeting; the mayor introduced Lopez and administered the oath.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6394465,"Reed School principal reports staff hires, attendance improvements and seeks music-room naming for former superintendent",1105,1035000,2140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2102840-eb869a1997f5588caeaa3b447d0f9457&start=1035&end=2140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2102840-eb869a1997f5588caeaa3b447d0f9457/thumbnail_1035000.jpg","/articles/6394465/Connecticut/Reed-School-principal-reports-staff-hires-attendance-improvements-and-seeks-music-room-naming-for-former-superintendent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394465-c0d95437ea5bc371c356368321fa0496/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148597&Signature=LfWCBRJ1J8SIpSfYv7TrSeGS~0pqj5O~by2YOyai0yxfKh6QHal6V50ofjUH-OoR628higU~pM7hysotLL1RCbwq57sNZ71lpgHmya6qtxok~tkD6127RosrGOMXvriE-Ok6NbuF-g4kZd4NnkXuhNFMFsv9VM-S1Vo4tqSaFmmgeyOFMGCCvXHPsmZGscAnoZv1iAUKGiI2OtKkLf0Hg9DTPtOnXVuj82SHA~~f-TzrUWYDRdkh1udWCAQv4ozznJbkEasZK-8B6hg0yy1mZ0ltN6KycGZSfCeM9xUMnfHO05wOTDae3DgvsYDQhVv5hu2hz5qhvNVQthGOFosEhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jonathan E. Reed School Principal Eric Brown presented a principal’s report to the Waterbury Board of Education on Jan. 7 that outlined enrollment, attendance changes, staffing additions and curricular programs; a board member also brought forward a proposal to name the school’s music room after a former superintendent.

Brown said Reed School currently enrolls 469 students and provided a racial-ethnic breakdown: 312 students identifying as Hispanic, about 102 Black or African American students, 20 white students, three Asian students and 19 students of two or more races. Brown said the school has reduced average absences per student from about eight to about five since the start of the school year, crediting parent contact, a truancy team and nudge letters.

Brown described culture-and-climate efforts including a winter-door-decorating theme, new after-school athletics and partnership with BOOST for programming and mental-health resources. He said Reed has hired a full-time physical-education teacher, a music teacher, an art teacher and a consumer-science teacher, and expects the special-education department to be fully staffed by Jan. 16. Brown said an additional ELA teacher for grades 7–8 was planned to be hired by Jan. 23; he named staff members (Mr. Osai Bonsu in science, Mr. Keane in social studies) and thanked community partners and central office staff.

During the agenda, Commissioner Serrano O’Donnell moved to add a professional services agreement with Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) as agenda item 7a; the board seconded the motion and voted to carry it. Separately, Commissioner Brown (principal Brown spoke in support) moved that the board, by committee of the whole request, name the music room at Jonathan E. Reed School in honor of former superintendent Dr. Verna D. Ruffin. Principal Brown described Dr. Ruffin’s leadership and said she prioritized arts resources during her tenure. Board policy requires a 60-calendar-day public input period before adopting naming decisions; the board set a vote date of March 20, 2025.

Board members asked about transportation modes: Principal Brown said Reed is a walking school; special-needs students receive bus transportation but most students walk to and from school. Brown said walking is a traditional strength of the school’s community.

Student government officers and other students performed and spoke briefly at the start of the meeting; Brown said he would drive students home after the performance because of the cold weather. Brown also introduced a new parent liaison, Miss Pink, and said the school is refurbishing a storage room into a gross-motor space to support essential-skills classes.

The naming proposal was presented for the required public-review period and will return to the board for a vote on March 20; the transcript records the motion to initiate the public comment period but does not record a final naming vote within the provided excerpts.

Principal Brown concluded by thanking staff, district leaders and the mayor for visiting students and supporting school programs.","Principal Eric Brown told the Waterbury Board of Education Reed School’s enrollment, attendance gains and staffing updates; a motion was presented to name the school’s music room for former superintendent Dr. Verna D. Ruffin with a 60-day public input period and a vote scheduled for March 20, 2025.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6394471,"Waterbury schools report lower suspension trends, outline restorative practices, Yondr pouch use and mental-health partnerships",310,3538000,3848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2102840-eb869a1997f5588caeaa3b447d0f9457&start=3538&end=3848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2102840-eb869a1997f5588caeaa3b447d0f9457/thumbnail_3538000.jpg","/articles/6394471/Connecticut/Waterbury-schools-report-lower-suspension-trends-outline-restorative-practices-Yondr-pouch-use-and-mental-health-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394471-6412d644dc48348b9710b446f781d8c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148597&Signature=bAw5kE1FO03ZveLVJBgNVgUsTzMteay9iiG-qkjimP9L9FMSXfEXO9byE-hPDIA3KxerqHNRpF-JqHvsH4QKuehY0KgxCgecnNO3NHwt2xgXjxIw4-ecrRmHSrDa0jHh93qjp87WskJGZptIrh1iujgE91D8LbWSaS1orzViy6fRd00BDc3b1hiJ9eGX0Ges~7d1sOtl36qgokeIsehew~TAJC57SUhdXxkjP5bgkroZ2f6oTYDvx4Pha8NGYBZ3l2Bx0Nn4XIJm0ydnVOrGoz-UKjXJ70AJtOhFkZ9L~56xF8~j-me3sF8uoHwl4Z-mfqD5oOIWQqqxKGhxQU4hWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waterbury School District officials told the Board of Education on Jan. 7 that in-school and out-of-school suspensions have trended down since the pandemic, and that the district is investing in restorative practices, device-management and community mental-health partnerships to further reduce exclusions.

Assistant Superintendent Gopi and other district staff reviewed half-year trend data for discipline and said restorative practices and new de-escalation strategies are being implemented across schools. The district reported 984 students contributing to the current year’s out-of-school suspension total (district enrollment cited as 18,802), and 28 school-related arrests year-to-date. Staff said 9 of those arrests stemmed from a large off-site stadium incident involving students, and that five arrests followed threats to schools earlier in the year.

Gopi explained that the district rolled out Yondr pouches — a device-management system used in grades six through 12 and in the middle-grade components of preK–8 schools — to reduce classroom disruptions. The presentation listed 615 Yondr interventions at the high school level and 57 documented interventions at the middle-school level (the presentation treats “interventions” as opportunities for warning and reteaching rather than formal discipline incidents). Teachers and administrators described Yondr as improving classroom engagement.

Officials signaled alignment with recently passed state legislation, Public Act 23-167 (Educational and School Climate Reform), which takes effect July 2025. The district said it has revised board policy to adopt restorative practices, is providing professional learning for administrators and teachers on restorative circles and is adopting trauma-informed instructional strategies. The district also reported partnerships with county and regional providers — including Connecticut Junior Republic, Klingberg clinicians, Wellmore Health and others — to expand school-based mental-health support and cited an online district “road map” and a video resource for students and families.

Board members asked about supports for younger students and family involvement. Staff said elementary screening tools (DESA SEL screener) are in use and that many community-provided supports are age-appropriate and linked on the district website. On parental involvement, staff said administrators are required to involve parents in restorative and disciplinary communications, and that the district coordinates releases of information when external providers are involved.

Officials described ongoing data-sharing and coordination with the Waterbury Police Department and said cross-checks have improved data accuracy. They also reported that other districts have visited Waterbury to learn from the Yondr rollout.

The presentation documented steps the district is taking to meet the new state law’s requirements and improve school climate, and it recommended continuing the current mix of restorative training, device management and community mental-health resources. No new formal board vote on a policy change was recorded in the provided transcript segments; staff described the policy revision and the professional learning series already under way.","District officials presented midyear discipline data showing declines in suspensions, described the district’s rollout of Yondr device pouches, cited 28 school-related arrests year-to-date and outlined plans to align with Public Act 23-167 and expand mental-health supports.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6394476,"Waterbury officials outline chronic absenteeism trends and LEAP attendance plan, request ACES fiduciary role for grant",2687,2670000,5357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2102840-eb869a1997f5588caeaa3b447d0f9457&start=2670&end=5357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2102840-eb869a1997f5588caeaa3b447d0f9457/thumbnail_2670000.jpg","/articles/6394476/Connecticut/Waterbury-officials-outline-chronic-absenteeism-trends-and-LEAP-attendance-plan-request-ACES-fiduciary-role-for-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394476-ea6b1b87a3412c66dfc25b96dc8d3d65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148597&Signature=lPkc~9iMcNHCZdxyRATwW~-0ZhP6mBy9AjT1WcOl8XoJPumYIheo09AhUWqLz3zXCKMvSRWeOte7OVn7PSkqmQSEEPRr6tWxfkfQlg8ObwxppQwT-AKHJG72mb9ehl~AKcrnreCnPJbXu5UE3m3ZhxmpiLgB5dDLwukZqMQ38Eu7K1AthSXlYpiX-5rlIEwrJ5R7IjolHTn~owDj0wsT028O-AYgy4gY074fW9WXixaR2eK2Lrn9AifHGjh48NH3jaT16~22Hp7fu5HmneXhRJvl0c2kk0Xhq4tsY67iCnLuuqhru1cPj7dtS7LnP2y-PiAP95gj22GcW3Ayzv4CUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff told the Waterbury Board of Education on Jan. 7 that chronic absenteeism remains a priority, and they outlined local data, interventions and a federal grant-driven program designed to increase student attendance.

The presentation, led by Dr. Johnson with Assistant Superintendent Gopi and Family & Community Engagement Manager Sandra Romero, said the districtwide chronic absenteeism rate stands at about 26% at the 77th day of the school year. Staff said kindergarten chronic absenteeism is a particular monitoring goal and the district is targeting a 26% kindergarten rate and a 34.8% target for ninth grade. Presenters said Hispanic students and students with individualized education programs make up a large share of the chronically absent population.

District officials described layered strategies used at schools: parent and student education, chronic absenteeism teams (CAT teams) at every school, reward and incentive programs, nudge letters, home visits and referrals to community services. Staff highlighted site-level efforts such as Washington Elementary’s “Candyland” attendance board as an example of a classroom incentive. The presentation also reviewed more intensive responses: referrals to community partners such as Waterbury Youth Services or the Department of Children and Families when warranted, and the LEAP (Learner Engagement and Attendance Program) grant that pays staff to do outreach and home engagement outside normal hours.

Romero said LEAP launched in 2021 as a response to COVID-related attendance decline. The district is in its third LEAP cycle and currently runs LEAP at four schools; the district hopes to expand to additional schools including North, Brittan (referred to as Bridal in the meeting) and Kennedy High School. The board was told LEAP funds can pay city-level coordinators, team leaders and engagement specialists to make the kinds of outreach — including home visits — that the CAT teams prioritize.

Romero said the district asked the board to approve a no-cost professional services agreement with Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) to serve as fiduciary manager for LEAP. The grant amount cited in the presentation was $534,650 from the Connecticut Department of Education’s ARPA allocation; ACES would handle hiring, onboarding and payroll for LEAP personnel. The transcript records the request for approval but does not record a final vote on that item during the segments provided.

Board members asked about root causes and interventions. Staff cited common drivers: family travel for holidays, cold weather that discourages walking to school, illness (Norovirus/flu/COVID rounds), medically fragile students and caregiving responsibilities in families. Staff emphasized the CAT teams’ role in drilling down to individual causes and intervening early; they noted that after about 18 absences in one school year it is difficult to reverse the trend.

The presentation also described the LEAP grant operations and the district’s plan to expand LEAP in the next cycle. Romero said LEAP supports telephone outreach, home visits and engagement outside normal school hours and is overseen locally by a family and community engagement manager.

Board members asked about bullying and school safety as potential drivers of absenteeism. Dr. Johnson said the district has not found evidence that bullying is a dominant cause at scale but agreed CAT teams should check for it as part of investigating individual cases. Staff also said some parents kept children home during periods of social-media threats earlier in the school year even though police and district officials assessed the threats as noncredible.

The district presentation closed with next steps: continued CAT-team work, LEAP expansion planning and closer school-level interventions. The transcript excerpts provided the presentation and the request to approve ACES as fiscal manager; the record supplied does not show the board’s final vote on the LEAP fiduciary agreement.

The board will receive further updates as LEAP expansion and school-level interventions proceed.","District staff told the Waterbury Board of Education that chronic absenteeism is at roughly 26% at the 77th day of the school year and described targeted interventions, including the LEAP grant administered through ACES, for which board approval was requested.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board presented request to pursue state reimbursement and schematics for Bergen Education Complex partial roof replacement

Board swears in Yarixa Lopez to fill Waterbury Board of Education vacancy

Reed School principal reports staff hires, attendance improvements and seeks music-room naming for former superintendent

Waterbury schools report lower suspension trends, outline restorative practices, Yondr pouch use and mental-health partnerships

Waterbury officials outline chronic absenteeism trends and LEAP attendance plan, request ACES fiduciary role for grant