[{"_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",6328832,"mediaKeyId","2316817-fdc43735fbe4b0c1270f02dcdddca212","parentId",2316817,"title","Board approves personnel, facilities use and capital transfers; committee appointments set","audioSeconds",570,"startMs",6803000,"endMs",7373000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316817-fdc43735fbe4b0c1270f02dcdddca212&start=6803&end=7373","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316817-fdc43735fbe4b0c1270f02dcdddca212/thumbnail_6803000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6328832/Connecticut/Board-approves-personnel-facilities-use-and-capital-transfers-committee-appointments-set","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328832-d772021c4754bb85a1ea5395d0a95b9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167418&Signature=hK71tITRcYtCF0WWVWB6JeeaPmhgfh5jGCuZC~4rF8CWJkJ4KpHUhe0gfyvIFtNTPilPiHB9PRPoFe6nmPl205X8AAbob4XssF1kQecE06B3w55rZBCnNZ0V9kSqR6v3qCW7oNBtWb8VgyekG1pWAgLeaTpG26hNXjjjei4dIY1p4xIV7Y-pVOohWkbbFbHJpk4oc1FiOXWG6aS6fqmLSX-Key~B862Hf5KZ4nJPso6bQv3yf3BeVAZUeL1fhQ4bm5jrvZFk6oEBhyErZYcTLlhA617C2lLFpnFknOwb-4vLKzcbS9HC0Y3iEQQXcvi49K9~SeRQ6pX2pO0HuAzG9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Waterbury School District","date","2025-02-14T12:54:41Z","article","The Waterbury Board of Education voted on multiple items during its Feb. 13 special workshop. Key approved actions included the appointment of a district reading supervisor, approval of a capital transfer to cover elevator projects at two schools, and a facilities-use agreement with the University of Connecticut to support a Waterbury Robotics Institute.

Appointment: The board approved the appointment of Melissa Calabrese as elementary reading and language-arts supervisor, effective immediately. The interim superintendent introduced Calabrese, citing 17 years in the district and work as a literacy facilitator. The motion to approve was made during the meeting and carried with voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the public transcript.

Capital transfer: The board approved a transfer of local capital funds to cover elevator work at Driggs School and Wilson School. The motion was moved by Commissioner Thomas Vanstone and passed by voice vote. Transcript text contains inconsistent totals: a finance presentation earlier listed a requested transfer of $1,935,000 from the capital improvement unallocated sinking fund for elevator and other projects, while the motion later stated a transfer \"totaling $1,041,684\" and listed Driggs at $537,706 and Wilson at $504,188 (the listed figures sum to $1,041,894). The board recorded a voice vote of \"Aye\" and the motion carried; no roll-call tally was provided. (See clarifying details for the discrepancy.)

Facilities use: The board approved a facilities-use agreement with the University of Connecticut at no charge to establish access for Waterbury robotics teams to a robotics field and related space. Vice President Brown moved the motion; it passed by voice vote.

Personnel search committee: The board approved the membership of a personnel search committee (board members listed by name at the meeting). The motion passed by voice vote; details of committee duties were not specified in the transcript.

Other procedural votes: The board approved a motion to adjourn at the conclusion of the meeting. Several presented contracts and construction items (including an amendment request for a mechanical contractor and a proposed gym-floor contract) were discussed in committee reports; the transcript does not record separate final votes on those construction items during the public session excerpt provided.

Ending: Where the public record in the transcript shows only voice votes, the board recorded motions as \"Aye\" and declared them carried; the transcript does not contain a recorded roll-call tally for the approvals listed above.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Waterbury Board of Education Workshop - February 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the Feb. 13 special meeting the Waterbury Board of Education approved the appointment of an elementary reading supervisor, a capital transfer for elevator projects, a facilities-use agreement with UConn for robotics, and members of a personnel search committee.","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},6328837,"District highlights college-and-career programming, new CTE pathways and dual-enrollment pilots",652,3644000,4296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316817-fdc43735fbe4b0c1270f02dcdddca212&start=3644&end=4296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316817-fdc43735fbe4b0c1270f02dcdddca212/thumbnail_3644000.jpg","/articles/6328837/Connecticut/District-highlights-college-and-career-programming-new-CTE-pathways-and-dual-enrollment-pilots","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328837-57bc125e53da09e7e82b072805debfa5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167418&Signature=o-iC2zKnXjjk7L6YsQW5~e~ez~TAXbXudSq~qeoVrQ9WODgU2uKygN9akP7bahBe49d4C7hDMOl48vhSrtNemP6~I-CFH-vFCfzm5yMOlVARZoTIqpAf5H2sj~kGHk99pcMTMbp8SRRlymti~Kd9IHOq1SASzV0X~YoK4PKGwVAWB17vpLMhtDgYNHzVYQKJlxq7zN7n4grvB42uzixhxeRvQhT7qRvAb5W-d6eW8V-okzjOQ69rmi46w1K5Rvbuv6803l-V~E~iYLd4BDM6ko586Jv4Rr7817SKqfLyMoc4CyKqAATlEnuIdcqT82TFlVvTfzuhRZj~E0jFZ10XSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nairi Toucette, district lead for college and career readiness, and Mike Maradi, supervisor of career and technical education, briefed the board on Feb. 13 about expanded career-exposure programs, CTE pathways and early-college pilots.

Toucette told the board that the district is extending college-and-career exposure into elementary and middle grades with assemblies, bulletin-board campaigns and events such as \"Touch a Truck\" that bring public-safety and trade professionals into schools. She said high schools are adding business, information-technology, health-sciences, education and engineering pathways and are working to increase employer partnerships.

The district is piloting a college-success seminar at Wilby for ninth graders in partnership with Post University that covers time management, study skills and well-being with the aim of offering college credit, Toucette said. She also described RISE Network coaching to improve FAFSA completion at Crosby, Kennedy and Wilby, and mentioned programs that give students early exposure to careers: Ed Rising (education pathway), Mind Ignite (virtual health-care career sessions), the Juris Doctor Academy at UConn Storrs, and a culinary credential program at Merriman aimed at post-graduation job placement.

Toucette said the district is working with workforce partners, including the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board, on hands-on programs such as the MASC pre-apprentice program for manufacturing and carpentry and with local employers to create internships and job-shadow opportunities. The board discussed opening apprenticeship-style options with New England Laborers Training Association (NELTA) and building stronger industry mentorship and sponsorship for robotics and engineering teams.

Ending: Commissioners asked for more outreach to special-education students to expand work-based learning and transitional-job opportunities; staff said they are pursuing partnerships and summer internships that include students in transitional programs.","District staff described expanded college- and career-readiness activities from elementary career exposure to high-school CTE pathways, a Wilby freshmen college-success seminar and partnerships with workforce agencies and local colleges.",{"_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},6328842,"Public health department outlines school-based health center expansion and outreach campaign",889,2459000,3348000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316817-fdc43735fbe4b0c1270f02dcdddca212&start=2459&end=3348","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316817-fdc43735fbe4b0c1270f02dcdddca212/thumbnail_2459000.jpg","/articles/6328842/Connecticut/Public-health-department-outlines-school-based-health-center-expansion-and-outreach-campaign","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328842-cff2cee9a140c795a08d01f94ca25592/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167418&Signature=iLm6WsMLaIzPf1AQ1XJO2WTjVWOgrdU3HzSjvjx-cpyCaG~zsMqrCKkx4dISUkuzLFlNYBZmHQOenvTYOPeZv0csLyG-AMnAXsVvTiAoi-bA73mWl013xVw4d2yBj2VEhy-Zfnp3e6zp8Iw5fX8QMMGEzpKfmWh7MiCx3Fcq44iHjMrDvat0rqZNVY0qPNjl9WbeCbbC3WWONqnkNhYL8Ee8esC3iDDfIOaoPcXm3mBsXWYCEZced9Q8fWqJxhPKnWMaqmFzezbq2gvIhHb1MpOUTGofV27LocDq9LAjUvoeqn6ryxjGTrh1FdlUu0LfOLXIfH1bSyPtkNJWDtupVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aisling McGuckin, director of the Waterbury Public Health Department, and Natalie Hellerich, director of clinical services, updated the Waterbury Board of Education on Feb. 13 about school-based health centers, outreach efforts and the Driggs site expansion.

Hellerich explained the centers provide on-site medical, dental and behavioral health services staffed by advanced practice registered nurses, behavioral-health clinicians, dentists and dental hygienists. \"School-based health centers do not replace the student's medical home,\" Hellerich said, adding that the centers work with students’ primary-care doctors, school nurses and other school-based staff.

Why it matters: The presenters said school-based health centers increase access to care, improve school attendance and expand mental-health supports. Enrollment rose sharply: program staff reported 281 enrolled students in 2023 and said enrollment had grown to 2,097 as of January of this year, with about 60 new enrollments in recent months.

The department described a state grant-funded public outreach campaign run with the Works media group, including targeted social ads, boosted posts and a public-service announcement directing families to takecarewaterbury.com for enrollment. The team said the campaign produced 573 clicks and about 68,900 ad views during the initial run and that staff will measure any enrollment impact once final data are available.

The presenters also provided a progress update on a planned expansion at Driggs School, describing a construction schedule aimed at opening full medical, dental and behavioral suites for the 2025–26 school year. Site work reported: sheetrock and plumbing completed and electrical work finished; cabinetry and fixtures were being ordered.

Ending: Board members asked about translation of outreach materials and outreach to preschool families; presenters said campaign materials are accessible via Google Translate and that the district welcome center and Office of Early Childhood have been partners in targeted outreach.","Waterbury public health officials updated the Board on enrollment growth at school-based health centers, a targeted outreach campaign and progress on a planned Driggs School expansion for 2025–26.",{"_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},6328847,"Waterbury Promise reports program growth, asks board to back state funding request",772,1669000,2441000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316817-fdc43735fbe4b0c1270f02dcdddca212&start=1669&end=2441","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316817-fdc43735fbe4b0c1270f02dcdddca212/thumbnail_1669000.jpg","/articles/6328847/Connecticut/Waterbury-Promise-reports-program-growth-asks-board-to-back-state-funding-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328847-4228f30addb7196fe142f54008840466/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167418&Signature=iOlxbIDn1PpaoCeuLuiwobh5BFeqWvbYo4pXtyGBiIMwn8iFN7-pWMgQDWvZz1PyT4vB5oa-Hb87KA16Vdz1RandyjOrjQ2Iif~qgt-JQVTKYhUvPH24L83FvSd1fTjQK~-8DAfLE1wWM2V8MS2icpRrd3NfORNSTWQntbEhPiy8vQ8MbzjgfUo8xZz9Y6HJx84Cxic5-JsvvkWPhXQhR9VeuL4spOG~r0Pp6nkm65QHdDszB9oky6f7gDVzxJRG0E0hihXkXeQEiD40F2DyBrZavYBZVk9e~-YjSRmamg7IuM8UTnZoJrDtO98jYx9bq3bJdiNishH8bjLcIR0hxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Waterbury Promise representative told the Waterbury Board of Education on Feb. 13 that the college access program has expanded its scholar cohort and is seeking state support to sustain and scale services.

The representative said Waterbury Promise offers a last-dollar scholarship now “up to $5,000 a year per student, for the class of 2025 and beyond,” and described growth from an initial 92 scholars to 611 scholars currently enrolled and attending 20 Connecticut colleges. \"We have grown so much since,\" the presenter said.

Why it matters: Waterbury Promise combines scholarship dollars with college-success coaching and emergency funds to increase postsecondary persistence, the presenter told the board. The group reported dispersing more than $700,000 in scholarships to date and said it has a 90% college persistence rate among participants from freshman to sophomore year.

Program details provided to the board included eligibility rules the presenter listed: a 90% attendance rate or better, a 3.0 GPA or better, graduation from Waterbury Public Schools, attendance in Waterbury Public Schools for all four high-school years and enrollment at a two- or four-year Connecticut institution. The presenter said the program also provides wraparound supports — laptops, books and emergency funding — to address non-tuition barriers to persistence.

The representative said Waterbury Promise is pursuing memoranda of understanding and matching partnerships with Connecticut institutions including Post University, University of New Haven, Western Connecticut State University and Southern Connecticut State University, and that the organization is negotiating additional MOUs with Quinnipiac University and the University of Saint Joseph.

The presenter said the group will give testimony at the State Capitol the following week on a proposal asking the state for $1.5 million over two years to support the program, and asked the board for written testimony in support. A board member asked how to donate; the presenter provided a website, stating callers can use the donate button on the program site.

Ending: Board members asked follow-up questions about school-by-school eligibility and enrollment; the presenter agreed to provide school-level eligibility data and a template for written testimony for commissioners to use if they choose to support the state request.","A Waterbury Promise representative told the Board the last-dollar scholarship is now up to $5,000 per student, program enrollment has grown and the group will seek $1.5 million in state support; the board was asked to submit written testimony in support.",{"_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},6328851,"Sprague School principal outlines student routines, discipline gains and after-school activities",728,615000,1343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316817-fdc43735fbe4b0c1270f02dcdddca212&start=615&end=1343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316817-fdc43735fbe4b0c1270f02dcdddca212/thumbnail_615000.jpg","/articles/6328851/Connecticut/Sprague-School-principal-outlines-student-routines-discipline-gains-and-after-school-activities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328851-f9afe85a6d137a0ee95f7d5576861541/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167418&Signature=mqW3PrH69RN0r0scdAAjzrKJvFezq5Rqs1nAv-9m42CspfQYAWz8f4kl7sjlBqZF0hxtPb-Bwf6E2xHfdS-yQjW3CNL1b2XqCRsbgsQbOU~eDTveUy0kDvlT-jerTbT3b-8sa0nsxZmiIR8ZGepYYqFH9ZdYGv67H-zrf5Na9SW7vnHceHnWt8gHnalA7eLvDTi4Q75~knlIBYj8ygjg6oyWiKdm1TTjLCcpeqfJ0Yeim4Zbu2SBTJsGRq3D0c-994Lh4bn4Ld5~QpxEEeEVuEE9pro59Sxs7~Yj9Dzhw1EaEud7wL2qbHuRrUGeCdxWeFQXRb7NxQ4hidnCZA0NQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sprague School Principal Stephanie Carpentieri told the Waterbury Board of Education on Feb. 13 that the school has focused on learning targets, daily warm-ups and restorative practices and has seen improvements in student outcomes.

Carpentieri said Sprague began a partnership with a consulting provider in fall 2022 and that teachers start lessons with “do nows” and warm-ups so students can refer to clear learning targets and success criteria. \"Mrs. Maes and I are super proud of our discipline data,\" she said, noting decreases in both in-school and out-of-school suspensions for general-education and special-education students.

The nut graf: The presentation emphasized classroom routines, social-emotional supports and community events as the driving elements of the gains Carpentieri described — including a school-based bounce-back program from the Connecticut Mental Health Authority (CMHA), weekly screening and an eight-week intervention series.

In the body of the presentation Carpentieri listed school practices she credited with improvements: morning meetings, restorative circles, daily lunch groups focused on respect and conflict resolution, and a new “building-thinking” classroom approach intended to increase collaboration and problem solving from kindergarten through fifth grade. Carpentieri reported midyear iReady growth rising from 51% in the prior year to 60% in the current year for students advancing about one grade level at midyear.

Staff and former Sprague students who now teach at the school also addressed the board. Teacher Marcion Smith Price said he feels “honored to be able to return and give back to my community,” and third-grade teacher Jessica Menegro described building “really strong connections” with students as a rewarding part of her work. Several student representatives — Marcel Fleming (grade 5), Dxeli McDonald (grade 4), Jacob Inman (grade 3), Qualief Red Cross (grade 3) and Angel Mohika (kindergarten) — told the board what they like about the school, naming teachers, activities and gym as favorites.

Carpentieri also described community events and fundraisers used to pay for student activities and transportation, including trunk-or-treat nights, a multicultural potluck and family nights that brought authors and presenters into the building. She invited board members to attend spring fundraisers and school celebrations.

Ending: The presentation concluded with a brief question-and-answer period about traffic and dismissal patterns at Sprague and a request from a commissioner to explore traffic control during peak drop-off and pick-up periods. Carpentieri explained buses use the school front entrance and car drop-offs occur at the rear; she said the pattern has been in place for nine years and that the school has reworked procedures but acknowledged high traffic at the site.","Principal Stephanie Carpentieri told the Waterbury Board of Education that Sprague School has increased midyear reading growth, reduced suspensions and expanded school-day routines and extracurricular programming.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves personnel, facilities use and capital transfers; committee appointments set

District highlights college-and-career programming, new CTE pathways and dual-enrollment pilots

Public health department outlines school-based health center expansion and outreach campaign

Waterbury Promise reports program growth, asks board to back state funding request

Sprague School principal outlines student routines, discipline gains and after-school activities