[{"_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",6354441,"mediaKeyId","2219985-ea4fd068fb6a12ecdb2567ed5b082246","parentId",2219985,"title","Superintendent highlights budget forum, special‑education funding timing and school food advisory committee","audioSeconds",249,"startMs",307000,"endMs",556000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219985-ea4fd068fb6a12ecdb2567ed5b082246&start=307&end=556","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219985-ea4fd068fb6a12ecdb2567ed5b082246/thumbnail_307000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6354441/Connecticut/Superintendent-highlights-budget-forum-specialeducation-funding-timing-and-school-food-advisory-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354441-535b75a85475aed0ed335b742f80f4a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1776089524&Signature=olYtdJTrLWT36Iml4qhodEIXNp~6h~3wfg~pW2rHXNZGolXRXoXLdX1xPi8UN2HSyp5WSSWGg~B2n8B9zUJOgMwW8jJnj63mLrXDYbaRTkmLlqgN6LfE~UOUmcNCr9QKE0XpQNOH9b60GnlI06EOSaMs-XR9TWa2UwdpgRbfOsevWBL-XCXGevieb0v1T2aH07mjSSSOdxpO3Ywduu7p-nWurld5dY2s5n2Ieilq9oOxT2Fc~31ZGdJr0V6rSDP1RtEU8bkSoGgUxlEeVmJqHd6vZce5NTsDJvE0igUPGJ7kQ6UpfNs7Yu~SlDF3vkwL4lgy9yRT1znTc6Tt9HlH1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Britain School District","date","2025-02-05T00:30:09Z","article","Superintendent Dr. Gasper used his report to thank parents, staff and community partners for participation in recent budget forums and to highlight several district initiatives and reminders.

Budget and state funding: Dr. Gasper thanked attendees at a budget forum at Smalley and said he will continue community conversations about district budget needs. He cautioned that Governor Lamont announced $54,000,000 in support for school districts’ special‑education costs but that, according to the governor’s announcement, the funding is designated for the 2026–27 school year and does not specify additional support for the coming school year.

School food and community engagement: Dr. Gasper announced the start of a School Nutrition Advisory Committee led by Ms. Murphy and encouraged community members who have raised concerns about school food on social media to join the committee to have direct input. He noted Ed Rising students provided babysitting at the budget forum to make participation easier for parents.

Facilities and personnel highlights: Dr. Gasper noted the home‑school renovation project is ahead of schedule; he referenced a topping‑off ceremony in which several people signed a beam. The superintendent also pointed to personnel items on the agenda: three positions in shortage areas were being filled (two special‑education positions and one world‑language position).

Why it matters: timing of state special‑education funding affects district budget planning; the newly formed nutrition advisory committee is the district’s formal channel for community input on school meals; ongoing hiring in shortage areas affects classroom staffing and services.

Next steps: Dr. Gasper encouraged stakeholders to follow district communications and to participate in advisory and budget forums; he and staff will continue outreach as budget planning progresses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New Britain Board of Education Meeting - 02/03/25","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Dr. Gasper summarized recent district outreach on the budget, cautioned that a state special‑education allocation announced by the governor applies to the 2026–27 school year, and encouraged community participation in a newly formed school nutrition advisory committee.","taxTitle","New Britain School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",13001,"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},6354446,"Board approves $2.4M–$2.47M capital request to city for life‑safety and basic facility needs",157,3165000,3322000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219985-ea4fd068fb6a12ecdb2567ed5b082246&start=3165&end=3322","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219985-ea4fd068fb6a12ecdb2567ed5b082246/thumbnail_3165000.jpg","/articles/6354446/Connecticut/Board-approves-24M247M-capital-request-to-city-for-lifesafety-and-basic-facility-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354446-abbb1e21354d29779195f720b313e35b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776089524&Signature=GQSSNtXYTi-d4U7yFuelis-JXI9NW2A0Tcx-7eDY8GxWKxpsR1DaPwjPN8bkMjQz3tsHy-mSqPATSp2cZMBllMAk7ETyIz5zI~DpbiLyJw64cQyZu1j0ZPuDRnfNPv4u~R8yihbiBcZLoGJR12R3QfDwaF0Ndiys4jn-ZheTmQKuF2-ISQuGdJO5UM44LuIHWHhEDVqNfUqsFx8Fh3R0uMUMjcZvRoZKRTYEpCLFiAlRDq62znwHiDONOAHNlgfau6Ija0QsdimzDZlLV6X7FH3YaDstr5~tM5Y7n2Y1GFiWSdLS4MJ3uP9RaYKAP29h7u4F1gKNGx1jWawL~FQdOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Britain Board of Education approved a capital budget request to the city that focuses on life‑safety work and essential facilities maintenance across district buildings.

Superintendent Dr. Gasper and facilities lead Mister Smedley told the board the list targets basic, high‑priority needs — domestic hot water systems, fire alarm panel replacements, sewer odor remediation at Roosevelt, emergency lighting and a maintenance vehicle among other items. Dr. Gasper said he had pared a longer list to top priorities that he viewed as most likely to be funded by city bonding.

Dollar amount and discrepancy: the board packet showed a $2,470,000 request; facilities staff later told the board the bottom‑line figure the district will request is $2,400,000 and acknowledged that some item descriptions did not align perfectly with packet lines. Staff committed to “clean that up” before submission to the city.

Vote and next steps: the board voted in favor of adopting the capital request for submission to the city. Board members said the list avoids “fluff” and concentrates on life‑safety and essential repairs; the city may include the request in a bonding package or decline to act on it. Facilities staff will reconcile the packet documentation and finalize the list for the mayor and city finance officials.

Why it matters: approval of a capital request is the district’s formal step to ask the city to consider bonding projects that affect building safety and operations; if the city includes the request in its bond package it could fund multiple repairs the district described as immediate priorities.","The board approved a capital budget request to the city focused on life‑safety and basic facilities projects; packet descriptions showed a $2,470,000 figure while facilities staff described the bottom line as $2,400,000 and promised to reconcile the discrepancy before submission.",{"_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},6354451,"Board adopts revised weighted‑grading policy for New Britain High School",101,2510000,2611000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219985-ea4fd068fb6a12ecdb2567ed5b082246&start=2510&end=2611","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219985-ea4fd068fb6a12ecdb2567ed5b082246/thumbnail_2510000.jpg","/articles/6354451/Connecticut/Board-adopts-revised-weightedgrading-policy-for-New-Britain-High-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354451-7866c63f2a6a4ea2f09feae3567381fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1776089524&Signature=LJGh6hQ447f4W35NVKb-dghabA560sGeAE~MD8a3oBKDt7a1QPMG8YtIkJfNDVrPCtfEzZTLGwZmCjHjiSq-~brvV3nJztTlC89qx7rH6tsYjVmbBbUzUtSgzXNkEEINpdkpDi~1rOKXB0UXOhMbtnZfyClYu~YSWepiH1RqMuJCf2-C7zaUIGeYiB63Gh3ol8HobTt5SqU~yev1nWA3fhk~-jRgmk2YlU1z1QCWLPreP845lGoALuhAj~DW02UVT4AtLwuebD~-EIoeVA43SgY80V8pUTQGZOKeYjaCmvV8KphueXX6WC1XLHvecvsIFPCkH5xWBm37r2nVybyWwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Britain Board of Education approved a revised weighting policy for New Britain High School courses that reduces the district’s previous four‑strand approach to three strands and clarifies how AP, honors and college‑preparatory courses count toward weighted GPA and class rank.

Policy details and intent: Curriculum staff member Ms. Velasquez explained that the proposed policy groups classes into three strands (AP, honors and college‑prep) and applies a new weighting scale (AP weighted more heavily than honors). The policy replaces a prior 23‑point scale with a simplified five‑point weighted system. Mr. Pierce explained the change from four strands (standard, accelerated, honors, AP) to three and said the new approach aligns weighting across course types.

Board discussion: Board members asked whether the change would discourage students from taking arts, technology and elective courses that are perceived as unweighted. Ms. Velasquez said district data comparing course patterns among the top ranked students and others showed little meaningful variance in enrollment in arts or elective classes. One board member, speaking from classroom experience with AP and ECE courses, warned students sometimes “sit down with their counselor after the first test and suddenly see their GPA plummet or rise,” and asked how counseling and handbook materials would communicate the new weighting. Administrators said counselors will explain weighting when students select courses and that the handbook includes the current weights.

Vote and reaction: The motion to adopt the policy carried; the meeting record shows one board member recorded as opposed. Board members said the change intends to encourage students to undertake more academically challenging courses while monitoring unintended effects on electives.

Why it matters: changes to weighting and class‑rank calculations can influence student course selection, college‑application comparisons and honor‑roll computations. The board directed staff to ensure counselors communicate the changes and to monitor whether elective enrollment patterns shift after implementation.","The board approved a policy that reduces grading strands and changes how AP and honors courses are weighted for GPA and class rank; the change drew extended discussion about effects on arts and elective course enrollment.",{"_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},6354456,"New Britain students press board over high‑school bathroom and study‑hall rules",335,1010000,1345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219985-ea4fd068fb6a12ecdb2567ed5b082246&start=1010&end=1345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219985-ea4fd068fb6a12ecdb2567ed5b082246/thumbnail_1010000.jpg","/articles/6354456/Connecticut/New-Britain-students-press-board-over-highschool-bathroom-and-studyhall-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354456-bf962ef00b0e1ad71f9cb4b23e3a9214/orig.mp4?Expires=1776089524&Signature=hx8Jxh1EVqongLPouzECGGUWEU90Tru1mefX88jHpXuIzminFExS9fGgZ5X8YTW2mBQfaC9Q-oFVXud5EMaMTUjnid2H8CjWs8fqm1NkRjHYqnJXA7iYKjVP-kQbD2vIOkS7XlIOj73aGx2pHmrOV4p~rW-85lytFPtg8ofXNhr9I8hTUoUefGcj4ACx71vI8Z6HrjwBiWP~V85tUUYDq-BUhbRcc4vxNBHS7kzLZ-jHkC-dZlyuajp1f68UfJTDGLfwwJHwlM~fc1hOpxM8bfTqVI71gZzAJjdP7Ge5o3mvUCxV2SFvNf~pPwvteKPGrsVdY-Fd5VURIcDRw7K23A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Student representatives at the New Britain Board of Education meeting urged the board and school leaders to reconsider new bathroom and study‑hall policies at New Britain High School, saying the rules have created long lines, restricted access and a perception among some students that the school environment is overly restrictive.

The student representatives — identified in the meeting record as Student representative (Student A) and Student representative (Student B) from the Student Council at New Britain High School — described the policy as requiring students to avoid bathroom use during the first and last 10 minutes of class and during the 7‑minute passing period, which they said can total roughly 27 minutes between classes when students are not permitted to use restrooms between periods. “Some students actually have a voice that they feel like their high school experience has turned into, a prison,” one student representative said.

Students asked the district to change the limit on how many students can use a bathroom at once (the current cap discussed at the meeting was four) so the allowed number is tied to the number of stalls in each facility, and to consider installing concealed vape detectors or other deterrents to drug use in bathrooms. Students also requested clarity on whether bathroom access is allowed during 30‑minute lunch waves and expressed concern about a reported incident in which a sick student said the nurse refused service during passing time and the student had to seek a locked bathroom.

Administrator response and next steps: Administrator Mister Pierce told students he had been asked about the policy and that student‑council discussions were underway; he encouraged further meetings with him. Facilities lead Mister Smedley described the building’s bathroom inventory in general terms: “There are 8 sets of group student bathrooms — two on each floor — and additional locker room and auditorium facilities,” he said, but staff acknowledged not every facility is accessible to students and that some packet descriptions need follow‑up.

Why it matters: bathroom and study‑hall policies affect daily student welfare, safety and instructional time. Students raised both health and privacy concerns and offered concrete suggestions for minor technical fixes (changing allowed user counts to match stalls, buying detectors) and for additional student‑administration communication.

Board directions: student representatives said student council will meet with Mister Pierce and have scheduled further conversation; board members encouraged administrators to take student feedback back to school leadership.","Student representatives told the board the new bathroom and study‑hall rules at the high school are causing long lines, restricted access and a feeling among some students that the environment is overly restrictive; students proposed changes and administrators said they are taking the concerns to school leadership.",{"_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},6354461,"Board appoints two principals, approves policies and contracts in New Britain meeting",129,1656000,1785000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219985-ea4fd068fb6a12ecdb2567ed5b082246&start=1656&end=1785","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219985-ea4fd068fb6a12ecdb2567ed5b082246/thumbnail_1656000.jpg","/articles/6354461/Connecticut/Board-appoints-two-principals-approves-policies-and-contracts-in-New-Britain-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354461-019116a336ad39982601c840b6b0ae48/orig.mp4?Expires=1776089524&Signature=SdiaI1tmHumnABihueTNSJk6yoaMPpKw2IFi0nBK0Pn40KohpTudVYTXjaxCOBxnzC3h3wPj1byfBFl6XfwvuSTq3wSmufmz0lJbFuHNo8eoa-NNVWIcwqntmP0btkHBtm~3gz2t1gSooT9z1OxB-PMBsNCBY1SLOGxdwpaBANidOvNj3yp6-b--RfnthylsgrZyROKDh4XGxcWmlTUP3S3F7K~E4~m5fvK66Cjy941bRdFMXSl70OGUtb5TPuX74I6kJiBrxYwMKkRd0gUPPLUMEoh~shQ4d1XKDwKEGoQGIM6mhRdCeAEe2GSCZ2CWjEYsR0iTgj0u7OzzwUy7wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Britain Board of Education voted to appoint Terrence Berry as principal of Chamberlain North End Elementary School and Samantha Carroll as principal of North End Elementary School and approved a set of policy and contract actions during its regular meeting.

The board moved quickly through a consent agenda and separate votes after two executive sessions. The board approved policy changes for Deloretto Elementary sibling preference in the lottery, revisions to bylaws for electing the executive board after elections, a revised weighted-grading policy for high school courses, and a capital budget request to the city. The board also approved contracts under the 6621 bargaining unit covering family school liaisons, behavior support assistants, vocational job coaches, career coaches, teaching assistants and tutors.

Why it matters: the appointments fill school leadership vacancies, the policy changes affect how students are admitted and how class rank and honors are calculated, and the capital request seeks city bonding for building and life-safety needs across district facilities.

Key outcomes (as recorded in the meeting):
- Appointment: Terrence Berry — motion made and seconded; board voted in favor; outcome: approved. Berry spoke to thank the board after the vote.
- Appointment: Samantha Carroll — motion made and seconded; board voted in favor; outcome: approved. Carroll addressed the board after the vote.
- Minutes (Jan. 7 regular meeting) — approved with 1 abstention recorded.
- Report of personnel transactions and extracurricular appointments — approved (motion/second; vote recorded as carried).
- Board policy 6.172.121 (Deloretto Elementary sibling preference adjustment) — discussed and approved.
- Bylaws change: procedures for electing the executive board after elections (timeline set to within 10 calendar days of the election) — discussed and approved.
- Board policy 6.146.11 (weighted grading for honors/AP/college-prep) — discussed at length; motion carried with one board member recorded as opposed.
- Capital budget request to the city (district request for building and life-safety priorities) — motion carried; board approved submitting a capital request (noted dollar-figure discrepancy in packet; see clarifying details).
- Contracts: Approval of two negotiated contracts for positions in bargaining unit 6621 (family school liaisons, behavior support assistants, vocational/job/career coaches, teaching assistants, tutors) — motion carried.
- Consent agenda — approved.

The meeting record contained mainly voice votes; roll-call tallies and named movers/seconders were not consistently provided for each item in the public record. When a specific tally was recorded (for the Jan. 7 minutes), the clerk noted one abstention. Several items were described as informational rather than votes (for example, the enrollment report).","The New Britain Board of Education appointed two elementary principals and approved several policies, a capital budget request to the city and union contracts after executive sessions; multiple votes carried with limited roll-call detail provided in the meeting minutes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent highlights budget forum, special‑education funding timing and school food advisory committee

Board approves $2.4M–$2.47M capital request to city for life‑safety and basic facility needs

Board adopts revised weighted‑grading policy for New Britain High School

New Britain students press board over high‑school bathroom and study‑hall rules

Board appoints two principals, approves policies and contracts in New Britain meeting