[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6077214,"mediaKeyId","2964963-5ad61c2fa0164ec24c2b183f788df825","parentId",2964963,"title","Resident tells board district violated new suspension law for youngest students; seeks policy change and cultural review","audioSeconds",105,"startMs",2787000,"endMs",2892000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2964963-5ad61c2fa0164ec24c2b183f788df825&start=2787&end=2892","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2964963-5ad61c2fa0164ec24c2b183f788df825/thumbnail_2787000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6077214/Connecticut/Resident-tells-board-district-violated-new-suspension-law-for-youngest-students-seeks-policy-change-and-cultural-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077214-4054d8972a943e988d4d577716c789cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770634784&Signature=l0YVwUqVc7Yoz3LB0pOg86u7g2uGp5DrceZrMlDk3aoptwROC0J9imTwu95Z7CZ4X2MU-Ez1lwkUzy1AOINvPKjllKghdW0TSpgKWWfqR8qSkHheYJRxTA2Lbl8kCw8RMluQOsOqqrj85P8iTQmFbO9IXZe3VRgz3O4Y~4WxUxJqBDIv3bwGVlm4ojf3wq-vDxFy3AKYU5Ca2c~EIeDUkj5qGMK3UAtS8uCum0q9perM~5NK4tXPVDvNqqwa1TiOpwhx7HbyxPQqGON3IUYScZT12~TrgmZ20D20QpLgvI7S4IbJTvrYkk~tvWYU1dIIVHQzAgJygAeLVgr53kBA7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Southington School District","date","2025-04-11T14:54:17Z","article","A Southington resident told the Board of Education Tuesday that the district's suspension procedures for young students are out of step with a new state law and urged immediate corrective action.

Julian Carlson of 62 Old Turnpike Road told the board he is concerned that board policy May 6 (procedures governing suspension) \"misalign[s] with public acts 2,445, which took effect on 07/01/2024.\" Carlson said the law caps out‑of‑school suspensions for the district's youngest students at five days and requires that those students be provided trauma‑informed services upon return to school.

Carlson said he believes the district recently applied the older suspension rules \"to the detriment of at least one child and possibly more,\" adding that the district doubled the permitted punishment for a child and only corrected course after a parent raised the issue. \"Is this lack of knowledge or lack of caring?\" he asked the board.

Carlson said the superintendent's response to him was \"that it was simply an oversight,\" and he called the situation a \"legal failure with emotional and academic consequences.\" He urged the board to pursue not just a policy change but a broader cultural review to ensure staff apply best practices when students' disabilities or trauma are involved.

Why it matters: The complaint alleges the district failed to follow a statutory change protecting young students from extended out‑of‑school suspensions and raises questions about staff training, policy updates and oversight.

Board response at the meeting: The complaint was raised during the public‑comment period; no formal board action to amend the policy was taken at the meeting. Carlson asked the board to place corrective action on a future agenda and to undertake accountability and transparency measures.

Ending: Carlson concluded by calling for changes that go beyond text amendments to address the district culture that permitted the misapplication of the law, and he urged immediate steps to ensure compliance and appropriate trauma‑informed support for affected students.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education 4/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At public comment, Julian Carlson said district procedures governing suspension misalign with a recently effective state law he identified as \"public acts 2,445\" (effective July 1, 2024), contending a child was punished more harshly than the law permits and urging immediate corrective action and cultural change.","taxTitle","Southington School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",64388,"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},6077217,"Students win oratorical contest, robotics team heads to worlds; teacher grant and local donation recognized",571,37000,608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2964963-5ad61c2fa0164ec24c2b183f788df825&start=37&end=608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2964963-5ad61c2fa0164ec24c2b183f788df825/thumbnail_37000.jpg","/articles/6077217/Connecticut/Students-win-oratorical-contest-robotics-team-heads-to-worlds-teacher-grant-and-local-donation-recognized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077217-5e2dd5fa774d9c72c2f8c5333daab430/orig.mp4?Expires=1770634784&Signature=a5scD770d2t5r4V4vSj22QospuRv3GrAnpbJHP4iPrRiODwUF6rVjxTNjGuUFqaRJCgQC-k3FJ9UQW5Gk4lvqllZ0T3SUiooCNBo4QdFJ7D0SxwIlOZ79aILF6CqpIX7JH6TDYxR7vYaWY6oT0ElvWWGw19dWSBt0Q2x03uiaTx92rhD7xRQKNvrcRQRPXWgnWNghnfnHZiAGaiKDV~ivwBGuDiyqyasg2OVUmgQR3GF5NYoHO~dc9TSbne9b-sy0IzYuSAc0CT4cis887qYVvEz3b7iBxk5TOGJ6yMZEedZsZfeuir7iBLK71plSF972g0W3rbQ-o-zdnfZR2SJMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members and staff used the meeting to recognize recent student and staff accomplishments.

David Chamura was introduced as the winner of the annual American Legion oratorical contest. A contest volunteer explained the format — an 8–10 minute prepared speech followed by a 3–5 minute impromptu talk on one of four constitutional articles chosen by the audience — and praised Chamura's ability to \"stand in front of a group and perform on the spot.\" The board presented Chamura a certificate of excellence bearing the board seal and signatures; the certificate cites Southington Public Schools standards and is dated April 2025.

Student board representatives reported events across the district, including junior prom, the creative fair and a spring concert. They also said FIRST Robotics Competition Team 195 will travel to Houston to compete at the world championship from April 20 and that at the New England District Championship the team received the Impact Award for community outreach. The student report said Team 195 reached more than 200,000 people with outreach over the past three years, supports 21 First Lego League teams in the region and hosts \"Girls Who Code\" and community elder nights.

At the district level, the board recognized sixth‑grade teacher Katie Soltis for receiving a Fund for Teachers grant from the Dalio Foundation; the teacher will travel to South Africa this summer to collect environmental data, the administration said. Superintendent (administration) also thanked Connecticut Lightning Softball and Steve Wright for a $3,000 donation to Hatton Elementary School for ABA room supplies and equipment.

Why it matters: The recognitions highlight extracurricular success, community engagement and outside funding that support student opportunities and instruction.

Ending: The board invited the winner and organizers for photographs and noted the district will share images on Southington Schools social media accounts.

","Board honored David Chamura as oratorical contest winner; FRC robotics Team 195 will compete at the world championship in Houston; a teacher won a Fund for Teachers grant and Connecticut Lightning Softball donated $3,000 to Hatton Elementary ABA rooms.",{"_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},6077222,"Board approves minutes, school courses and YMCA before/after care rates; personnel report accepted",1451,434000,1885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2964963-5ad61c2fa0164ec24c2b183f788df825&start=434&end=1885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2964963-5ad61c2fa0164ec24c2b183f788df825/thumbnail_434000.jpg","/articles/6077222/Connecticut/Board-approves-minutes-school-courses-and-YMCA-beforeafter-care-rates-personnel-report-accepted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077222-840dcb3cc5bf964baa99db542a535cef/orig.mp4?Expires=1770634784&Signature=Ku9oPmj65PUImLyJf~-ohhYe9cTortZm4Sv262RlcBgEMgZK4VLlONDUgMF3~Nem2xk52UWJh3BxcQjmNOwsEJtsxyRq8YBxw23qPhAprUFtQ2RZxpEjxLwMC5a-Vqn6fZUvweoSbZTVzp-4w4Tb2liO8OLqLEymPT~V228n3AfMg5hdQt8l1EBmgRKkYhCIdRHynYz7qANJ8EuMLNJKkiuKMjhi6sQHf2K1wss6sfkYwImXSzC904YtKe8Cz0-BwPWhcROHBNpO81QdYTqUQlkaO4Wrty7cDOyv-ce9SIP8uiFZBexn-4Wv2DesnCBXgHnQTPL0WRheGfzHeeeKIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Southington Board of Education voted on a series of routine items Tuesday, approving minutes, multiple curriculum changes at Southington High School, recommended fees for a YMCA before‑and‑after‑care program, and the personnel report.

Highlights:
• The board approved the minutes of the March 20 and April 1 meetings by voice vote.
• The finance committee moved and the board approved recommended rates for the YMCA before‑and‑after‑care program for the 2025–26 school year, based on an estimated 2.5% custodial staff cost increase and updates to Social Security, Medicare and MERS pension contributions.
• The board approved several curriculum items recommended by the Curriculum and Instruction Committee: SHS Food and Nutrition (revised curriculum); SHS Foundations of Art 1 (revised); SHS Foundations of Art 2 (revised); SHS World Religions (revised); and a new SHS Advanced Outdoor Recreation course proposal.
• The personnel report submitted by the human resources department was included as presented.
• The Leonard and Gladys Joel scholarship subcommittee recommendation was accepted by the board; the recipient will be recognized at the high school ceremony and was not announced at the meeting.

Formal actions: The votes reported in the meeting were by voice and the clerk recorded unanimous “Aye” responses for each motion on the floor. Individual roll‑call tallies were not read aloud.

Why it matters: The curriculum approvals add and revise course offerings at Southington High School. The YMCA rate approval sets parent fees for the coming school year subject to final contract negotiations. Accepting the personnel report authorizes the HR department's submitted items to be included in district records.

Ending: Board members did not debate the items at length Tuesday; the motions were presented, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Votes at a glance (selected):
• Minutes, March 20, 2025 — motion carried (voice vote, Aye).
• Minutes, April 1, 2025 — motion carried (voice vote, Aye).
• YMCA before‑and‑after‑care program rates, 2025–26 — motion carried (moved by Finance Committee chair Sean Carson; voice vote, Aye).
• Personnel report — included as submitted (voice vote, Aye).
• SHS Food and Nutrition (revised) — approved (voice vote, Aye).
• SHS Foundations of Art 1 (revised) — approved (voice vote, Aye).
• SHS Foundations of Art 2 (revised) — approved (voice vote, Aye).
• SHS World Religions (revised) — approved (voice vote, Aye).
• SHS Advanced Outdoor Recreation (new course) — approved (voice vote, Aye).
• Leonard and Gladys Joel scholarship recommendation — accepted by consensus; no motion required at meeting.
","The Southington Board of Education approved routine minutes, multiple revised SHS course curricula, a new SHS course and recommended YMCA before/after care rates for 2025–26. The personnel report and a scholarship committee recommendation were accepted.",{"_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},6077227,"Southington board hears strategic-plan draft after yearlong community outreach",2017,1967000,3984000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2964963-5ad61c2fa0164ec24c2b183f788df825&start=1967&end=3984","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2964963-5ad61c2fa0164ec24c2b183f788df825/thumbnail_1967000.jpg","/articles/6077227/Connecticut/Southington-board-hears-strategic-plan-draft-after-yearlong-community-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077227-694fbb7a74b3e435971a244f5c7b820f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770634784&Signature=bIZx0fiVvt1VaeTRMiD97kgJgwMAJiACxnmQTpufr1Lz1~fnkJWhpuob97Lt27cfV8tcDjACDHnp0Ci3GzwvFsvoqiNercbejTjLK8kqS54GoO2CRH4T3c564tSuCBf7fjWug1mFaYF6xn1rmiVAcPE2uu2oF8PiwPmLwFSPLk6Z3rE1RVrsqJdU~tcmr5eoRw4~Zd1ak3OBuEdTNLNMPJg4BvWSP0SfUes4~Wzegiiimd6DuZtg2titKE6UbNysGoAINthmOtBNaZh1hviwrzMgGHoEvzUVz3IcCabo0GukbNgFyBKIC5CuB0duxVnpdQrxzAwoi1uYEJWaEBw9yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Southington Board of Education received an update on a draft strategic plan Tuesday after more than a year of community input and a survey that drew more than 3,000 responses.

Consultant Dr. Richard Lemons told the board the steering committee collected weeks of interviews, focus groups and an in‑depth survey and has developed a framework of core values and five strategic priorities to guide the district.

\"We had over 3,000 people spend time on this survey,\" Dr. Lemons said, describing detailed multiple‑choice and open‑ended responses that informed the plan. \"The title that emerged from the steering committee is care, engage, inspire, and prepare.\"

Why it matters: The plan will be the district's road map for investments and annual decisions. Board members and the consultant said the document is intended to move beyond a one‑year checklist and provide measurable goals, timelines and responsibilities so the district and community can track progress.

Dr. Lemons outlined the five emerging strategic priorities: ensuring access to high‑quality curriculum and instruction; emotional and social‑emotional learning and student well‑being; talent management and workforce sustainability; communications and community engagement; and facilities planning and upkeep. He said the steering committee is now drafting specific actions, accountabilities and a small set of measures for each priority.

\"This is a work in progress,\" Dr. Lemons said. He described the next steps as identifying the priority actions that should happen in the coming school years, assigning responsible units or people, and selecting metrics that will show whether the district is making progress.

Board members pressed for concreteness. Board member Brown suggested an easy memory device for the four words proposed by the steering group; others urged tying the plan to the town's fiscal reality and to an ongoing public reporting schedule. Finance committee chair Sean Carson asked for a breakdown of the survey respondents; Dr. Lemons later provided the distribution numbers to the meeting: 581 employees, 1,340 parents, about 800 current students, roughly 200 town residents, 20 civic or community leaders and 75 former students, with 3,003 total responses recorded at that point.

Several board members said the process itself — the wide engagement and the number of participants — is a key accomplishment and urged the administration to produce a web‑friendly, printable plan that can be used repeatedly in outreach and budgeting conversations.

Dr. Lemons and the steering committee outlined timing: finalize action lists and measures in April, prepare cleaned visuals and formatting, bring a full first read to the board later this spring, gather feedback, and then present a version the board could adopt and use to shape district priorities and annual work.

The board did not vote on the plan Tuesday; Dr. Lemons said the steering committee will return with a more fully developed draft for review and feedback.

Ending: Board members and the consultant agreed the next phase will concentrate on making the draft operational — assigning responsibilities, tying actions to timelines and defining a short list of measures to report progress to the public.","Consultant Richard Lemons presented a draft strategic plan framework after a year of interviews, focus groups and a 3,000‑person survey; the plan centers on five priorities including curriculum, student well‑being and facilities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident tells board district violated new suspension law for youngest students; seeks policy change and cultural review

Students win oratorical contest, robotics team heads to worlds; teacher grant and local donation recognized

Board approves minutes, school courses and YMCA before/after care rates; personnel report accepted

Southington board hears strategic-plan draft after yearlong community outreach