[{"_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",6073026,"mediaKeyId","3000596-4c902b20b8440a0b1a276ff97621315c","parentId",3000596,"title","Danbury board approves consent items, graduation date and multiple policies for first reading","audioSeconds",2507,"startMs",1304000,"endMs",3811000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000596-4c902b20b8440a0b1a276ff97621315c&start=1304&end=3811","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000596-4c902b20b8440a0b1a276ff97621315c/thumbnail_1304000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6073026/Connecticut/Danbury-board-approves-consent-items-graduation-date-and-multiple-policies-for-first-reading","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073026-4e5789798e0211bab9fffc8373ca8997/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163426&Signature=AfmCxuBLnxyHJhXw~RRB5BIrrZKQ-EjWoTHpGZdOOKALXq~Nr0m5P70LrfrMJAPOc8QftLGWx0EE8StEh90uftj-acDrcdQMdxpN7zTA8gvqPEQWdoL67oWjz4IrlWRq1cwTqua4JFkDhkGEPDEuU~af3yyA8VQ7AI7EDZ6G5APwqckEGmyKF4CPagltMiAesjmI7pjQMjt-1RxlDZjWDNNzzzRtVQnSHtQrTzV0YR6lOsSjVyM5V3N3yfs5vFgPCzjani9Gv43s3qVCwMLN588McaXWSnEUoCHA91t3fEJnNDMaggr6PyCHGlczSB1vussHbPLlrMdLtwdxxzfeAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Danbury School District","date","2025-04-10T00:00:00Z","article","The Danbury Board of Education approved the consent calendar, set the high school graduation date and accepted a slate of district policies for first reading during the meeting.

Key outcomes

- Consent calendar approved: The board voted to approve the consent calendar, including exhibits listed in the meeting packet (exhibits 25-50 through 25-55). Motion made by Theresa and seconded by Julie; the motion passed by voice vote.

- Danbury High School graduation date set: The board set Danbury High School's 2025 graduation date for Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Motion made by Al and seconded by (named second in the record); board approved by voice vote.

- Policies accepted for first reading: The board accepted multiple policies for first reading as recommended by the policy committee and as listed with exhibits in the agenda. Policies and committee proposers included:
- Policy 5114, Suspension and expulsion / due process (motion by Kate)
- Policy 5125, Student records confidentiality (motion by Michelle)
- Policy 5125.11, Health / medical records (motion by Louisa)
- Policy 5131.1 (conduct) and related conduct policies (motions as listed in packet)
- Policy 5131.6, Alcohol, drugs and tobacco and performance enhancing substances (motion by Julie)
- Policy 5131.7, Weapons and dangerous instruments (motion by Theresa)
- Policy 5131.2, Dressing and grooming (motion by Lauren)

The motions were made and seconded as recorded in the meeting minutes and each item was opened for first reading and advanced as recommended by the policy committee. The board approved the first readings by voice vote; no final adoptions (second readings) occurred at the meeting.

Procedural notes: Several items were approved by voice roll-call or unanimous \"aye\" responses during the meeting; the meeting record indicates no final dissent recorded at the time each motion carried. The meeting packet contains the full exhibit numbers and policy language for reference.

No new budget appropriations or contract awards were authorized during the meeting under these agenda items; the votes advanced routine governance items and established the graduation date for the high school calendar.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Danbury School District 4/9/25 Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Education approved the consent calendar, set Danbury High School's 2025 graduation date and accepted several policies for first reading; votes were taken by voice roll calls during the meeting.","taxTitle","Danbury School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",13000,"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},6073031,"Local mentoring nonprofit updates board on school-based matches, scholarships and expansion plans",913,1603000,2516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000596-4c902b20b8440a0b1a276ff97621315c&start=1603&end=2516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000596-4c902b20b8440a0b1a276ff97621315c/thumbnail_1603000.jpg","/articles/6073031/Connecticut/Local-mentoring-nonprofit-updates-board-on-school-based-matches-scholarships-and-expansion-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073031-d920a779f6945ecf4076d6084cbbdc8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163426&Signature=Gzp4OoR3vDLFtzg-gtIyqrLRqp4fGJR3ABo60MJA7ZYeI0l-iiJMud1IaIZjyRYuWmwFxvs~3~GCVS0b27eHv3QVXDAl3gSaKZZp7Hz1a-s2WEfcNfk2Md6AdTYgoSXusEfPaw4mEMTBy5oUpm4BBAFQ9-AcLp509gH5jSLiVwTCf8St8MpKXDEpuhyqYYjGyXSQM3J~0sSRCe5NH~hKuSxgrsR0Els85YVNHaKy7~mP~H4OF0mG2f~TPcntt1HdT~C3UxbRLK5r4Hxitv2knG8A2KeqDspkRftJTM0u1OzLGPJFu7F9ViHjgPDtPEqMxDliYXM3sOOkYEQOhjHQTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from DSABC and related volunteer-mentoring leadership presented the nonprofit's school-based mentoring work and recent organizational changes to the Danbury Board of Education.

Alexis Kugos, identified as executive director for the group (named in the presentation), described the program as a one-on-one school-based mentoring effort that pairs adult volunteers with students during school hours, typically once a week. Kugos said the organization digitized its application process this year, uses a background-check vendor and provides mentor training before matches begin. \"Our mentors stay with their student until they graduate,\" Kugos said.

The presentation said the program offers a $1,000 scholarship to students who graduate from the mentoring program; the scholarship can be renewed annually for up to $4,000 for students who attend a four-year college. The presenters said the nonprofit placed mentors across multiple schools, reported last year's total of 92 matches and said they had continued growth this year. The presenter said 66 mentors had been trained in the current cycle.

The nonprofit also described a recent structural change: moving some employment and administrative costs out of previously in-kind support and into the organization's budget after transitioning to a technical service provider. The presenters said DSABC received a one-time donation from the City of Danbury and draws on corporate grants and fundraising to expand matches.

The group described programs that connect students to local business speakers during flex periods and family college tours. Board members thanked the presenters and said the partnership helps prepare students for the academy launch next year. No board action or funding allocation was taken at the meeting; the conversation was informational.","DSABC (presenters: Alexis Kugos and Jen Tomano) described 1-on-1 school-based mentoring, scholarships and recent growth; they reported transition to a technical service provider and one-time city funding to expand matches.",{"_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},6073033,"Parent urges Danbury board to revise grading practices, I-Ready use and improve meeting access",101,1035000,1136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000596-4c902b20b8440a0b1a276ff97621315c&start=1035&end=1136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000596-4c902b20b8440a0b1a276ff97621315c/thumbnail_1035000.jpg","/articles/6073033/Connecticut/Parent-urges-Danbury-board-to-revise-grading-practices-I-Ready-use-and-improve-meeting-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073033-1f8a4004a21dc93e9135de218db676a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163426&Signature=VkJta66nvnAP0-dsrj0JLf0vPkQn~Xh4etiUmRn7Qq1gqjY0uAVdD6gqcU~oJQ0Y91PbWVnGwy1hT9AwziOzTOaAJUnGshU51WQ32DJaNmA-u51O1vHbC3TD8aC8VjjHQOrYDoh6~tvQV~aKEv5ZojmefntR6XYARy4rhG6KZngH9bwr7eJC5Ak3vNP8zo6rHwKteh4KLi0Qq9Fbx2qvfD4VqOZeM9spj-K3GEzQ4o4B-7twsjGtYizLW93OQBQKYBJNd2QOG74u7mzCQ0P0DRU71BlNss7sWyMLsHihKdawmQU2qPKDFICxdkn1CrMI03y9Z6luYgw-Gk-EwQlVXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kevin Bugatti, a parent of three Danbury public school students, asked the Board of Education to reconsider district grading practices, the local use of the I-Ready program and public-access procedures for board meetings.

Bugatti told the board that using zeros and time-on-task to measure progress can disproportionately harm students who struggle with executive function and said research favors feedback-focused approaches over punitive grades. \"Time on task is not an accurate proxy for student proficiency or growth and contradicts again the publishers recommendations for implementation,\" he said in public comment.

He also said the district's implementation of the I-Ready program varies between his children and that minutes spent on I-Ready should not be used as a component of a student's grade. Bugatti asked the board to assess how I-Ready minutes are monitored in schools and to compare local practice to the publisher's recommendations.

On transparency, Bugatti said the audio on live-streamed meetings is not consistently connected to the Zoom feed, and that subcommittee documents are not reliably posted before meetings. He asked the board to improve audio quality and to make meeting documents available in advance to help parents and community members follow committee business.

The board acknowledged the comment and the superintendent's update noted that the administration will consider public feedback while finalizing plans; no immediate policy change or vote was taken during the meeting.","A Danbury parent asked the board to review punitive grading practices (use of zeros), limit use of I-Ready minutes as grading measures and improve livestream audio and pre-meeting document access.",{"_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},6073037,"Danbury students tell board West Campus academy limits AP, electives and culinary access",129,178000,307000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000596-4c902b20b8440a0b1a276ff97621315c&start=178&end=307","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000596-4c902b20b8440a0b1a276ff97621315c/thumbnail_178000.jpg","/articles/6073037/Connecticut/Danbury-students-tell-board-West-Campus-academy-limits-AP-electives-and-culinary-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073037-02688aec34c8f37c5995b355a7834eaf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163426&Signature=jqt6noE-Eokapj-4m8UizrTAIhqlNeedeeessBCQCB5ZqdIS4Asrt2nUIDVRaB4js35kBglLVQi3JJIEhAaLu87x2TE13kSvKOwAJoIU1EeFHPDXTrKyOS-7qo3KhcT-ID9Sgq9J2bgbNOjTQtYktY4bC1it2jTLGnPxfn12CKfGV5h0w7WEeobcQlcAemR1POfoPub4gWIN0OqKShjibZps6Uc9IPLi0yf8Vopp7C8Jhcm-LZtEksuqa6A5n-NpqOxqUOI0dqdwwKCVFjEqPfks8yXVlyJbNVLX4lp9XvGWKb13kdMLfVe7VeuI~FpsQ~k4o-x0-zCzPFLdco-aEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Danbury High School students told the Danbury Board of Education that the new West Campus academy is restricting their ability to take Advanced Placement and career-pathway classes and that the campus lacks facilities for vocational programs such as culinary arts.

The students said the academy's scheduling and placement rules are blocking some students from registering for AP classes that count for college credit. \"I cannot take APU, okay, as based in government politics because I have a half a year of gym left because of the exploration seminar,\" said Alcon, a freshman, describing how a required course prevented enrollment in an AP government class. Other students said required \"essentials\" courses placed in the core program are College Preparatory (CP) level only and are lowering their GPAs.

Why this matters: Students said the limitation affects college preparation and GPA. One public commenter also said the West Campus building does not include kitchens and that the district has no plan to add them, preventing students from taking culinary classes tied to career pathways.

Students described additional barriers: limits on switching academies because some pathways are full, unclear guidance from administrators about clubs, sports, graduation requirements and course availability, and concerns about transportation if academy assignments change. One student said requests to change academies were denied because a pathway had reached maximum enrollment.

Board members acknowledged the public comments during the meeting. In the superintendent's update the administration noted it will take student feedback into account while finalizing start times and transportation tiering for next year. The board did not take a formal vote on program rules or facility changes during the meeting; speakers asked the board to direct staff to provide clearer course and transfer guidance and to consider how to deliver AP and vocational offerings to West Campus students.

Board staff and the administration also discussed broader operational planning for next school year, including transportation tier adjustments related to the addition of new campus capacity, but no final changes to program placement, course offerings or facility construction were announced.

The board received the public comments for follow up and did not adopt a policy or take a binding action on the academy program at the meeting.","Multiple students told the Danbury Board of Education that the district's new West Campus academy structure is preventing some students from enrolling in AP courses and vocational offerings, and that the new building lacks culinary facilities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Danbury board approves consent items, graduation date and multiple policies for first reading

Local mentoring nonprofit updates board on school-based matches, scholarships and expansion plans

Parent urges Danbury board to revise grading practices, I-Ready use and improve meeting access

Danbury students tell board West Campus academy limits AP, electives and culinary access