[{"_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",6293094,"mediaKeyId","2524011-171c4cc72f1d5bd1199248be61beb4f2","parentId",2524011,"title","Board considered multiple contracts and grants including CNA clinical affiliation and mentoring partnership; votes not recorded at workshop","audioSeconds",3951,"startMs",1516000,"endMs",5467000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2524011-171c4cc72f1d5bd1199248be61beb4f2&start=1516&end=5467","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2524011-171c4cc72f1d5bd1199248be61beb4f2/thumbnail_1516000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6293094/Connecticut/Board-considered-multiple-contracts-and-grants-including-CNA-clinical-affiliation-and-mentoring-partnership-votes-not-recorded-at-workshop","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293094-81d3b5d65854286a0b3efbfd9dd77e30/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200037&Signature=IOL01e0BBIGe2RpZuqAtdtTcmcq0wJmDLFjej0SbaU-dVVFvrv13w8EUv4E1hG9aKosRJwoz4PQlhFTWjS4chcruQn~MZSabtCuqynQ7B1cxPPVst4W5OBGizU9d-ehFmLdYEQx6WswujoKRm8m~PA4cxS7cCdQm-LTq7GdIzeTV~~YmF9Il5MyUlmqCCKtTKrmEoY5ZBMOQpGXv2zzXtP0hULemn~ljI8s3AHjnIp06VOEtgNsV-FZB9naG9o-fsTNPRmckQGw6n--BFrDkG06mEeSCpSa3OF65AToswgU0bLhrwJ6AVDjE0H0WSdFddK3WjbqVyBMO65BdMhzP4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Waterbury School District","date","2025-03-07T13:07:39.887Z","article","The Board reviewed several contract and grant items on March 6. Staff presented requests and answered questions; the workshop transcript records presentation and Q&A but does not record final votes for these items at the March 6 workshop.

Why it matters: Contracts and grants determine students’ access to clinical training, mentoring and extracurricular experiences, and can carry budget and compliance implications.

Items presented (summary):

- Clinical affiliation agreement with Writers Health Management, Inc., d/b/a Cheshire House — Career and Technical Education requested approval of an affiliation to provide CNA clinical hours that meet Connecticut Department of Public Health requirements. Staff said there is no cost to the district and described ongoing work to secure multiple clinical partners after Abbott Terrace was lost; currently students work with Saint Mary’s and Cheshire House.

- Letter of agreement: Governor’s Prevention Partnership with Webster Bank — A mentoring and substance‑prevention program for Waterbury Arts Magnet School (grades 6–12). Staff said the city’s cost is $15,000 with Title IV as the funding source; the term runs until March 20, 2026, with a final report due April 28, 2026.

- Kennedy High School: Every Child Art Experience grant — Kennedy requested acceptance of $2,500 to partially fund band transportation to a national jazz competition in Philadelphia.

- Permission to apply: Connecticut State Department of Education Career and Technical Supplemental Enhancement Grant — Staff requested permission to apply; eligible districts may apply for up to $50,000 with no match required.

- Outdoor Classroom LLC professional services for Camp Washington day trip — Staff said the trip had been approved previously but dates changed; because of contract indemnification language the item must return for an updated approval and will be voted in a subsequent meeting after attorney review and, if required, aldermen action.

- Cooperative Educational Services (outplacement) agreement — Special education staff presented a revised contract for an out‑of‑district placement; the original was approved by the board in June 2024, but modifications required a new draft. The presentation lists a multi‑year term; the contract begins July 1 and terminates June 30, 2027. The transcript lists a cost figure printed in backup (transcript text: \"$764.05 $10\" for a three‑year term) and states these services are paid from general funds; staff said the item will return for a vote at a future meeting (the updated draft is in backup and the board will vote on it at the next regular meeting).

For each of the above items staff answered clarifying questions: the CNA affiliation carries no district cost; the WebsterBank mentoring agreement is Title IV‑funded; the Kennedy grant will support travel; the CTE supplemental grant is a permission-to-apply item; and the Outdoor Classroom field trip will be returned for formal approval after contract-review steps.

Actions on these items were presented for board consideration; the workshop transcript does not contain recorded votes for several items and in some cases staff told the board the item will be placed on a later meeting agenda for formal approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Waterbury Board of Education Workshop - March 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff presented multiple requested contracts and grants on March 6 including a CNA clinical affiliation with Cheshire House, a $15,000 WebsterBank mentoring agreement for Waterbury Arts Magnet School, a $2,500 Kennedy band grant and permission to apply for a CTE supplemental grant.","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},6293099,"Proposal to expand Roberto Clemente dual-language school via convent renovation pitched as lower-cost alternative",1125,4025000,5150000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2524011-171c4cc72f1d5bd1199248be61beb4f2&start=4025&end=5150","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2524011-171c4cc72f1d5bd1199248be61beb4f2/thumbnail_4025000.jpg","/articles/6293099/Connecticut/Proposal-to-expand-Roberto-Clemente-dual-language-school-via-convent-renovation-pitched-as-lower-cost-alternative","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293099-c5a238cf1fa01f74e7400a9351229993/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200037&Signature=So8I2pwUjQj7igYUscpEm81zeAgv5TZ368Oo-~4j63YgTNpdbJp1HrIYxaK4hg8pDYChQK~GcetqvzGSxUphke~mRtJVN7NPuBt2JtxUdPxuuuxhbSO2vF39Gp3l3jP1kA1pAzHErCb4yRTImBY9Db4FcUuD68IB7mdfNnsOhTh-iA54CPH1jGrho5yH5YqPXuaGu8ttejiyv82xbepWjYJx0dlroIHvQ4BHrE6WM6kXbbsgSwGmfNhbZoRWxZBoxMGEDE6GcJnTe4ZqNYniXnQreEuheF69cD4Nj8mvCKsXkHzDoQKU81Zk6B~pIBkysbrTi7T5GSxeKZVtGUeVWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City and school officials on March 6 outlined a plan to expand Roberto Clemente International Dual Language School by renovating an adjacent, vacant convent rather than rebuilding the school — an approach officials described as significantly less costly than an earlier $81–82 million rebuild proposal.

Why it matters: The dual-language school is an established program and expansion would add middle grades and electives. The plan affects district capital budgeting, state reimbursement eligibility and the district’s early‑childhood facility strategy.

Nick Albini and Friar Architecture presented a schematic study showing classroom conversions, a new enclosed hallway, two elevators, a refurbished cafeteria/kitchen space, a library, dedicated art and music rooms and program support spaces. Officials said the convent plan retains the main school building for K–6 and houses grades 7–8 in the renovated convent; it would restore a full gym/auditorium function to the main building by relocating cafeteria functions.

Mayor Pernarouski told the board the idea emerged after a prior full-rebuild package — previously estimated near $82 million — proved unaffordable and that reusing district‑owned property (the school and convent) is an attractive compromise. Albini emphasized the current schematic is an early-stage estimate and that the next phase must validate structural soundness, asbestos abatement scope, utility capacity (water/sewer), HVAC and final costings. “We went into this with very little investment,” Albini said, adding the test captures basement, first and second floor layouts with a modest exterior hallway addition.

Board members asked about reimbursement rates and timelines for a June 30 application window; Albini said the team aims to submit for state school construction funding and expects typical reimbursement rates in the high 70s percent range but that official rates and prioritization must be confirmed by the Office of School Construction Grants & Review.

Other topics addressed included parking, elevator location and asbestos contingencies; Albini said allowances are included in the schematic estimate but that further engineering and possible remediation work will dictate final cost. The mayor also noted a longer-term interest in acquiring the church and rectory on the property to develop a district-wide early‑childhood center, but said that is separate from the immediate expansion plan.

The presentation was a study-stage discussion with no formal votes recorded; staff recommended next steps including structural testing and a more detailed cost estimate to support a state grant application.","City and school officials presented a plan to repurpose a vacant convent on the Roberto Clemente campus to add grades 7–8 and ancillary space; officials said the approach could cost roughly a quarter of a previous $82 million rebuild estimate but requires further engineering and state reimbursement analysis.",{"_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},6293104,"Waterbury reports early progress at State Street expulsion academy; 40 students enrolled and credit recovery underway",829,2967000,3796000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2524011-171c4cc72f1d5bd1199248be61beb4f2&start=2967&end=3796","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2524011-171c4cc72f1d5bd1199248be61beb4f2/thumbnail_2967000.jpg","/articles/6293104/Connecticut/Waterbury-reports-early-progress-at-State-Street-expulsion-academy-40-students-enrolled-and-credit-recovery-underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293104-ca20a202bb3686039538b90615414a96/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200037&Signature=NIR1NzGpEREBhop5M~CpfGpTYKzpV64cNH1dghop1nLbdkHWlk8ZONxQ2qxJuKJmNCsqi42Lumzr-pC2bIYNuY5FxnlWAHYElhxYeo4lXELDjZmwirlk6ihgf7qfRmEok66PKrATxxV1raf2igBfwvKhP8QHGV33U3McnxkJ8QqxRRx84DMNj0pUu3~qruiqiXDvCiUmyk8yNT3co8hqF1f~9yHPMFjtYba1JzaOrME3kUb8OLzcIVeR0v7czUghykdRLRqGmm4bYSlVOHfEc0vTV2N-SdkNFz0xxogaW~Z8NqUs7J8SHkdXQKHmquJSovr8YzqBXsMs9UBS7ZvfZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff provided the board an update March 6 on the expulsion academy housed at State Street (38 Church Street), which serves students removed from regular schools under disciplinary procedures.

Why it matters: The program is a district-managed alternative offering evening instruction and supports intended to keep expelled students connected to coursework, social work supports and community services with the goal of academic recovery and safe reentry.

Program staff reported 40 enrolled students as of the day of the update, split roughly between middle- and high-school cohorts. The presenter said daily average attendance is about 70 percent, and that the program had recorded zero on-site discipline referrals during the first six weeks.

Academy staff described schedules that begin around 4 p.m. and run to about 7:30 p.m., transportation provided by Durham Transportation, blended academic blocks for ELA and math with Imagine Learning and credit‑recovery opportunities. The report noted 12 high‑school students completed Imagine Learning courses in a six‑week span and five twelfth‑grade students remained on track to graduate in June.

Staff described wraparound supports coordinated with community providers: the health department, juvenile probation check‑ins, Klingberg Family Centers virtual supports, Wellmore, UCC, YMCA and Project Longevity. Planned programming includes summer employment outreach, vocational and mental‑health presentations, and small group interactions with community partners.

Director-level board members praised the program; one commissioner asked about the maximum program capacity (staff said the current staffing model supports about 40 students and that 50–60 would require additional staffing). The presenter summarized individualized learning plans (ILPs) used for transitions, attendance, behavior and academics and said early readmissions have been granted on a case-by-case basis.

The presentation was informational; no formal policy action was recorded in the workshop minutes.","District staff reported that the expulsion academy at State Street has enrolled about 40 students, reports 70% daily attendance, zero on-site discipline referrals and early credit recovery successes for high-school students.",{"_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},6293108,"Waterbury special education director reports staffing steps, new partnerships and mental-health supports",749,1847000,2596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2524011-171c4cc72f1d5bd1199248be61beb4f2&start=1847&end=2596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2524011-171c4cc72f1d5bd1199248be61beb4f2/thumbnail_1847000.jpg","/articles/6293108/Connecticut/Waterbury-special-education-director-reports-staffing-steps-new-partnerships-and-mental-health-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293108-186bdc8206138a0f3a123ac15e0e1d15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200037&Signature=X3J~SxSJPWOzciByy4JJjuz9BhLeW0iSq9MXLshskcVkwNSbbufvFs0y8GjEmCFvd5R8AAVi7z0wUj0Uc~oDETmy3M9Wz8lhlfyFFWox~UtTgi6IH4deGq~Z4h6DsrFyvrQlwYPbjg~sy4EYUseuq9wJLqzDqW5lYJ2C7NBvszKtHxjC8AVJXHfzyelXiVR8kC3~4kxEqtxtnLAKY5z7~yyX4cpkMNdlwQFw~LS7kg~TpUSb2UQVpNQ39RsIokJb9VZiTuvvzDVddX3~qCHVbMWDltTsX0rtmtMTGnoprrx40RK2cjl0g1R1OB13-qiOxx9nqsbNNMPXiXGVCg3UdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wendy Johns, Waterbury’s director of pupil services, briefed the Board of Education on March 6 on special education staffing, service provision and district mental‑health partnerships.

Why it matters: Special education and pupil services touch students with disabilities across the district and involve compliance, grant use and contracts that affect budgets and student outcomes.

Johns said the district is addressing vacancies in special education supervisory and service roles and developing pipelines with local institutions. She described the use of a paraeducator-to-teacher pathway and temporary authorizations: “Currently we have 11 long-term para SPED authorizations that are currently being utilized,” she said, and staff are working with Southern Connecticut State University to develop a DCEP pipeline to hire school psychologists.

Johns summarized professional development priorities — de‑escalation training, functional behavioral assessment and behavior intervention planning using the Prevent, Teach, Reinforce framework — and described a new AbleNet partnership that can place assistive technology in students’ homes through families’ insurance coverage.

She outlined pupil services’ network of no-cost mental‑health providers and programs: CMHA clinicians, DESA SEL screening for K–8, CJR clinicians in six schools, Sandy Hook Promise’s Say Something program, Klingberg Family Centers (recently approved by the board) and crisis-response protocols. Johns said the district is monitoring out‑of‑district placements with an “outplacement matrix” and has modified contracts and transportation expectations to control spending.

During Q&A Commissioner Serrano O’Donnough asked about hospital transport and follow-up; Johns said district safety protocols permit schools to call 211 and — with parent permission and signed releases — to receive clinical transition plans and coordinate post‑discharge support. Commissioner O’Brien asked for the exact count of students on medical homebound; Johns offered to supply the number after the meeting.

Johns also described work on Indicator 12 compliance (birth-to‑3 services) with the Office of Early Childhood, and said IDEA grant spending is being aligned to needs-based funding.

Her presentation was informational; no new contracts or votes were recorded on the special education update at the workshop.","Director Wendy Johns told the board the district is using pipelines and no-cost partnerships to fill vacancies and expand services, and outlined MTSS, AbleNet and other initiatives.",{"_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},6293111,"Bucks Hill principal outlines attendance, behavior and reading plans as math improves",910,420000,1330000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2524011-171c4cc72f1d5bd1199248be61beb4f2&start=420&end=1330","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2524011-171c4cc72f1d5bd1199248be61beb4f2/thumbnail_420000.jpg","/articles/6293111/Connecticut/Bucks-Hill-principal-outlines-attendance-behavior-and-reading-plans-as-math-improves","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293111-9a93e22ade993c6657bd8aaa82ee3d8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200037&Signature=QAgK3c0qeIMJY7lk~sFqjafSS~GuM4VlJPkX9S6iQWJVzjtl8VfbArcpy9B0bm6Dl5NJo~-bQvrFYlVGPHMtJKqGwdZf3A5qmHNFlHyhO-VREH5aMncBcxSqkv3cAoa16oPGEAKuVwca00mGXJclYvK9OGV54lPeN0pyRhmoC9cHgOuLzbwIqjvz9azAP-TPZ-8fHOLwyfUybEtbkTh572ycW7d3MqLX40GvBkqdD49p4IPEKTuM7g9qC4GT-3IeK2E3OJK8ZPKwMbLAIEBSwOAvdDjqR6uZk92ffzg9xERpYq9FkIl-BmmRMlrRXklUQVRjYg~6rLn9f9gP6sly1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Principal Jimenez told the Waterbury Board of Education on March 6 that Bucks Hill School is addressing chronic absenteeism and reading deficits while sustaining gains in mathematics.

Why it matters: The school, serving kindergarten through fifth grade, presented specifics on programs, staffing and data targets the district oversees for elementary performance and student supports.

At the meeting Principal Jimenez said the school operates three programs under one roof — regular education, bilingual education and a center-based learning autism program — and described classroom counts and supports. “We have 14 elementary regular ed classrooms, 11 bilingual classrooms, and 4 CBL classrooms,” she said.

Jimenez told the board Bucks Hill’s chronic absenteeism goal for the school year is 15.5 percent; earlier figures shown in her report placed this year at 20 percent, down from 25.4 percent in 2021–22. She defined chronic absenteeism as students at or near 18 or more unexcused absences and described the school’s response: a family support liaison from the Department of Children and Families, monthly team review of trends and attendance incentives including “walk of fame” recognition for perfect attendance.

On student behavior, Jimenez said Bucks Hill uses PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), daily pledge recitation, assigned recess stations and increased lunch waves to reduce incidents. She reported the school currently has 11 out-of-school suspensions and five in-school suspensions and set a goal to remain under 15 out-of-school suspensions this year.

Reading was described as the primary academic challenge. Jimenez said the school is focusing professional learning on phonics, fluency and vocabulary and has implemented an “Enhanced Core Reading Instruction” program in both regular and bilingual classrooms. She reported a first-year implementation gain of 17 percent and said the school’s goal is 45 percent proficiency by year-end.

By contrast, she described math as a current strength. Jimenez said the school uses small-group instruction, weekly data monitoring and programs such as Reflex Math to produce growth; she noted last-year figures showing 42 percent of students at grade level in math.

Board members praised the report and asked operational questions (for example, Commissioner O’Brien asked about lunch start times and length; Jimenez replied lunches begin at about 10:30 a.m. and run through roughly 1:30 p.m., with a 30-minute lunch period for each student). The discussion included recognition of staff and descriptions of partnerships such as a Career Academy “Ed Rising” pen-pal internship and an upcoming career day.

Looking ahead, Jimenez said the school will continue targeted literacy interventions, monthly professional development aligned to phonics, and the bilingual vocabulary strategies that support ML (multilingual) students transitioning to regular education.

Principal Jimenez closed by thanking the board for the opportunity to present and asking if there were questions; none changed the recorded plans.

Staff and board members who spoke about Bucks Hill did so as part of the principal’s informational presentation; no formal policy action was recorded on this item.","Principal Jimenez told the Waterbury Board of Education on March 6 that Bucks Hill School has lowered suspensions, is targeting chronic absenteeism and has launched literacy interventions while math gains continue.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board considered multiple contracts and grants including CNA clinical affiliation and mentoring partnership; votes not recorded at workshop

Proposal to expand Roberto Clemente dual-language school via convent renovation pitched as lower-cost alternative

Waterbury reports early progress at State Street expulsion academy; 40 students enrolled and credit recovery underway

Waterbury special education director reports staffing steps, new partnerships and mental-health supports

Bucks Hill principal outlines attendance, behavior and reading plans as math improves