[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6609848,"mediaKeyId","2905302-89e15130ffee5295c24ae1903e9abe6e","parentId",2905302,"title","Votes at a glance: Cromwell board approves agenda, Washington DC senior trip, district calendar and several routine items","audioSeconds",152,"startMs",4639000,"endMs",4791000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905302-89e15130ffee5295c24ae1903e9abe6e&start=4639&end=4791","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905302-89e15130ffee5295c24ae1903e9abe6e/thumbnail_4639000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6609848/Connecticut/Votes-at-a-glance-Cromwell-board-approves-agenda-Washington-DC-senior-trip-district-calendar-and-several-routine-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609848-6e5a04a85934feddc59520c3ee252529/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946877&Signature=Mw1aklRLeEpV0EETE6HNNE8rWnosn2eTPEDZQFPT3HaiHlAt-fcvGFB8kUfkmHlLEWhM9UzsjGj0YH8T9yfSZgWGptNsvivvyV1iNz5y-YXqky~CVUGE4fdaNxx2m2rDMYoVRnVn9KJYqV6Vh2qgRYf2HNLsNAKfPByZ~3fnV9Twkj5Ys0jjUN2vnUVO-2hkrfE8eR2xpK8etufzmtE6PuFmOrcC9oFWgzMxYc3xMwIf3FjYw7aCBN0p4OJAv2fnwAbyqrYruEhsP~lPXaiXVfVJyUKf4nHoGSWZHud-V--zugrdjimhaFFt1MauT0JB1Lks3TGzdB744Ak-Nkk6Wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cromwell School District","date","2025-04-09T01:30:37.45Z","article","The Cromwell School District Board of Education recorded several votes during the meeting. All motions noted below passed by voice vote; where the transcript records mover and seconder those names are shown as provided in the meeting record.

Votes recorded at the meeting (outcomes as recorded):

- Approval of the meeting agenda — Motion to approve made by Matt; second by Alicia. Vote: aye; outcome: motion carries, agenda approved.

- Approval of Class of 2026 Washington, D.C., senior class trip — Motion by Catherine (recorded as \"McCatherine\" in the transcript); second by Allen. Vote: aye; outcome: motion carries, trip approved.

- Approval of the 2025–26 district calendar (consolidating parent‑teacher conferences into one week in November) — Motion by Alicia; second by Matt. Vote: aye; outcome: motion carries, calendar approved.

- Approval of minutes from the March 11 regular meeting — Motion by Kelly; second by Allen. Vote: aye; outcome: motion carries, minutes approved.

- Repeal of policies listed as items G through X (and double‑A as listed in packet) — Motion to repeal called; second recorded as Laurie; vote: aye; outcome: motion carries, items repealed.

Other routine items approved included stipend items clarified as informational (no action needed) and personnel activity listings presented as informational; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript for these items.

Ending: Board actions were routine for the meeting; the transcript records voice votes only and does not provide a roll‑call breakdown for these items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cromwell Board of Education Meeting, April 8, 2025 7:00PM","oneSentenceSummary","During the meeting the board approved the meeting agenda, the Class of 2026 Washington, D.C., senior trip, the 2025–26 district calendar change for consolidated conferences, minutes from March 11, and a set of policy repeals; motions carried by voice vote and were recorded as approved.","taxTitle","Cromwell School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",55355,"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},6609855,"Cromwell to pilot departmentalized schedule for 4th–5th grades next year; administration to notify families",1211,2933000,4144000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905302-89e15130ffee5295c24ae1903e9abe6e&start=2933&end=4144","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905302-89e15130ffee5295c24ae1903e9abe6e/thumbnail_2933000.jpg","/articles/6609855/Connecticut/Cromwell-to-pilot-departmentalized-schedule-for-4th5th-grades-next-year-administration-to-notify-families","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609855-b6203f56d795859d0197d75fb32ac481/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946877&Signature=nzxkD1B8cgcJ3uCMb1vGZSJmSjnLu~qYSFOgMsDhB06A879bIkC6NzI2446IiUYtX0b72CJDwLehCIakdGc5KgCd8lz0sLBqyTIQ1bpbwOb1zdFs~Wv-ELKQhVi3kwv6WraOoMBSC0-Y4xqPh9O2vo-TIR1~Ko2vy11r37kjRxAX-gRhvj-Hpu1~jjaKKhgbyX5qXv~xaOOWgbW5a0scGBei~zXzwPHRKT~h7reDYyCump9~U0NC0jA86RWSOO1vIfWM698YAAImZxXFE3MTKHYLo6OR37YMkGY0yW1Ks9335TKmcByZ1Oz6uhttfPqaKKvhaeHLMLuS1gVSaX8Lyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cromwell School District administrators told the board they plan to pilot a departmentalized schedule for grades 4 and 5 beginning fall 2025 that will split the school day between two teachers and include a guaranteed personalized learning time for students receiving MTSS or special‑education supports.

Mrs. Binnington, who presented the plan, described a model in which “the first 3 hours of the day would be with 1 teacher ... doing grammar, vocabulary, the read aloud, and all of the math instruction,” and students would then switch after lunch to a second teacher who would “be doing all of the writing and all of the reading.” She said the model is intended to increase targeted coaching time for teachers and to provide students with two daily adult connections.

The plan includes a built‑in 30‑minute PLT (personalized learning time) block within both the math and reading blocks to allow students receiving MTSS or special‑education services to be grouped for supports at the same time so they miss fewer core lessons; when those students return they receive a second, guaranteed dose of instruction. Administration said grade 3 would not be included and that multi‑age classrooms would not be changed.

Why it matters: administrators and board members framed the pilot as an instructional change to address a gap between classroom observations and recent state test scores. The district cited other Connecticut districts (Essex and North Branford) that have adopted similar models and described the research as mixed but promising in some local contexts.

Board members asked about logistics including communication between the two classroom teachers, parent‑teacher conferences, PPT/IEP meeting coverage, substitute staffing, classroom materials and the placement of paired teacher classrooms near one another to facilitate quick handoffs. Mrs. Binnington and Dr. Macri said they have been working on scheduling and PLC (professional learning community) structures to ensure time for teacher collaboration; the plan calls for PLC time split across topics so teachers maintain subject knowledge in both areas and can coordinate on behavior plans and IEP goals.

Several board members asked how the district will monitor the pilot. Administrators said it will be a two‑year pilot with regular review of quantitative and qualitative data and with the expectation that they will revert if data do not show benefit. The administration said it will send a communication to families by the end of the week describing the change and that they are still determining exact teacher assignments.

Ending: The board did not vote on the pilot at the meeting; administrators asked for the board's support in rolling out parent communications and for ongoing feedback as the district implements the pilot in fall 2025.","District leaders outlined a fall 2025 pilot that splits the 4th‑ and 5th‑grade day between two teachers, adds a guaranteed personalized learning time for students receiving interventions, and will run for two years pending review of student outcomes and feedback.",{"_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},6609860,"Cromwell board hears $335,000 in new special‑education encumbrances; district explores running its own transportation to contain outplacement costs",865,1460000,2325000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905302-89e15130ffee5295c24ae1903e9abe6e&start=1460&end=2325","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905302-89e15130ffee5295c24ae1903e9abe6e/thumbnail_1460000.jpg","/articles/6609860/Connecticut/Cromwell-board-hears-335000-in-new-specialeducation-encumbrances-district-explores-running-its-own-transportation-to-contain-outplacement-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609860-c1f834ab4bdc2dac1c8f8b461e619502/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946877&Signature=ESwrcHAeS424lOcDzRt-u1VXL4FqV2khi5DOLe9s7rY3cyn0yo9TTJLsLILICB~VYtcWOhnS5ahbta2mqBZ6VbA7tObA49jCywIo7j9JwkLjNQ9rNctYwvHmrN~21Fueu0H~eeIU8RJEBSOr7DCOy0OLbdmyJNN8Yem1XjkCvX7~wNtccfgkiXZdFPGq~bSjl1XQd24vgEfw5fY44T5FzV9ihrSSI570nSDET2u~RA9RpD~DKr8sHFukJqIah7XgPT8wtVb8ztevz1K9AmVKhygQmKB3ErciaY3FytJ5lNL6mvQ-Fyk1LRymC703makVp4FngIyZ1gNWRmP4dMlfXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cromwell School District officials told the school board that the district has encumbered an additional $335,000 to meet new special‑education service and transportation needs, and members discussed both state legislative fixes and the prospect of the district operating its own vehicles to reduce costs.

The district's director of finance, Mr. Boutwell, told the board the extra encumbrance was to “meet new service and transportation needs for some of our special ed students.” He said the district is also continuing to refine projections for state excess‑cost contributions and reimbursements tied to students who attend choice programs, and that some reimbursements remain uncertain pending state confirmation.

Why it matters: board members said the district faces unpredictable, high outplacement bills that can strain the annual budget. Superintendent Dr. Macri said the district was cut $81,494 in the most recent budget process after requesting a 6.25% increase and receiving a 6.03% increase, and that the district will absorb some of that reduction from utility/energy lines. Several board members urged coordinated legislative action, and staff reported engagement with a new state select committee on special education and with the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education.

Board discussion centered on two immediate responses. First, members described recent advocacy with state legislators to change how outplacement and special‑education funding is handled across districts. Dr. Macri and other board members said they have shared proposals and memos with legislators and the Superintendents Association; Dr. Macri said one well‑received proposal would have a sending district continue to fund an outplaced student's budgeted costs for the remainder of the school year after that student relocates to another district. Board members framed such changes as a way to stabilize local budgets and preserve student services.

Second, members discussed operational options to control transportation costs, including creating a district‑run fleet. Board members and administration described one recent single outplacement transportation bill of roughly $72,000 as an example of the expense driving interest in alternatives. Several board members recommended studying whether purchasing a small fleet of passenger vans (five or so) and administering transportation in‑house could be cost‑effective over a multi‑year horizon; they noted start‑up capital and ongoing costs (vehicles, specialized equipment, insurance, and staffing) would have to be modeled carefully. Board members and administrators reported that some districts have begun small‑van fleets and later expanded them; others cautioned that vehicles for students with medical or behavioral needs require special equipment and additional staff such as aides or monitors, which increases cost and regulatory complexity.

Administration said the district will continue legislative advocacy and promised to return with more information. Dr. Macri and several board members asked finance staff to gather comparative data and to continue coordinating with neighboring districts, the Superintendents Association, and the new legislative select committee on special education. Board members proposed a follow‑up discussion after the legislative session concludes and after the district receives more clarity on state reimbursements.

Board members seeking next steps asked administration to prepare a cost‑benefit study if legislation does not change, and to share any memos or testimony with the full board so members can participate in advocacy. The board did not take a formal vote on transportation or a district fleet at the meeting.

The board also discussed the near‑term budget posture: Mr. Boutwell said the district has encumbered funds for instruction, professional development and necessary facility or equipment updates, and that some encumbrances exist even when purchases have not been finalized — a deliberate approach to remain flexible through June.

Ending: District leaders said they will continue to update the board as state reimbursements are confirmed and as further analysis of transportation alternatives is developed. The board asked to revisit the topic after the legislative session and when June budget detail is available.","At a school board meeting, district officials said they encumbered $335,000 for unanticipated special‑education services and transportation. Board members discussed legislative fixes and the possibility of starting a district transportation fleet of vans to curb the rising cost of outplacements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Cromwell board approves agenda, Washington DC senior trip, district calendar and several routine items

Cromwell to pilot departmentalized schedule for 4th–5th grades next year; administration to notify families

Cromwell board hears $335,000 in new special‑education encumbrances; district explores running its own transportation to contain outplacement costs