[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_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",6072201,"mediaKeyId","3031426-6d116058936aac5f582c77db42fba99d","parentId",3031426,"title","Votes at a glance: Board approves surveys, minutes and adjourns to executive session","audioSeconds",1562,"startMs",2098000,"endMs",3660000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3031426-6d116058936aac5f582c77db42fba99d&start=2098&end=3660","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3031426-6d116058936aac5f582c77db42fba99d/thumbnail_2098000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6072201/Connecticut/Votes-at-a-glance-Board-approves-surveys-minutes-and-adjourns-to-executive-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072201-a3cedb86ee8a70848574a9d715994519/orig.mp4?Expires=1770608434&Signature=L47WiS2t1tc8DcnF6OgIcWqPKvu02UMWTPnW6j5dx29QeleZqUskRamlBXAMn5~OeBQlkCf7Z-evijsPJ2zhT-EJcDHXxNHGUMXLfShd~7T2IxbS2FWrWzAYU5sAUMFTjjBzynCj8iqHMC5psrUqZ4zm0-N7cFVi4vOs3NkjaAjj64yf1L-r7NHoa0arZgfvISwgX4xTMKcACovPSrzfU9FsZZZeRUwJA~Ijxx2bwzUG0bU47pZDeInx33aMWAotAF5ravx5~4PEgLH8JKQGKjh4y0ZR-5LwACmidQU5Ti4-ZE27SLsISHSQoraYHZiU7sLyKdpASqQMY~CXrtF0hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chesire School District","date","2025-04-11T00:00:00Z","article","At this meeting the Cheshire Board of Education recorded three formal motions and unanimous votes.

Approve State Department survey questions
The board approved a motion that \"the Cheshire Board of Education approves the survey questions as recommended by the State Department of Education.\" Miss Cullinan moved and Mr. Eke seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Approve minutes from March 20, 2025
Doctor Harrigan moved that \"the Cheshire Board of Education approve the minutes from the showcase and business meetings held on 03/20/2025.\" Miss Cullinan seconded; the board voted unanimously to approve the minutes.

Adjourn into executive session
Mr. Eke moved \"that the meeting be adjourned into executive session to include the superintendent of schools to discuss superintendent's evaluation.\" The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned into executive session as recorded; no actions from the executive session were taken on the public record.

All three votes were recorded as unanimous in the meeting; no individual roll‑call tallies were read into the public record during the motions’ announcements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chesire School District Board of Education 4-10-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Cheshire Board of Education took three formal votes: approval of State Department–recommended survey questions (unanimous), approval of minutes from March 20, 2025 (unanimous), and a motion to adjourn into executive session to discuss the superintendent’s evaluation (unanimous).","taxTitle","Cheshire School District\t, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",57162,"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},6072206,"Cheshire High honors student science fair finalists, varsity fencing milestone, cheer team and longtime coach",271,282000,553000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3031426-6d116058936aac5f582c77db42fba99d&start=282&end=553","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3031426-6d116058936aac5f582c77db42fba99d/thumbnail_282000.jpg","/articles/6072206/Connecticut/Cheshire-High-honors-student-science-fair-finalists-varsity-fencing-milestone-cheer-team-and-longtime-coach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072206-997770c53407b18f965030e09f403ab0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770608434&Signature=oZcvBImykjg4uLztOTZ~KgZOPMOvaB52zwN6v~0BgmNExqV01Ui3DhPYV~o1lpV~7C1rAe07E-Cu1GQBPaM6Tss66gXMfKoJqb6AtNaCfQy15Zv3tywDuENyxPPEe~a6J~m~wKFoUJrZdfcCgSvptT4wAK~Y2glv3q0cQhlkbWfgcV23ahbgBQiy4cAx4RJCAWt41jvOBaulHaWMYAyz56iB7lddZUu5T0WNYGVY9zMWY7xeip6H6D5VYbhIzBGz5mPKY-z-T25fGrgErmgVB9NX~UHAOq2RjQVNmWMbZYYof5bMwMOZei2-1pjP5YjXk0jv7jvZHo8LbpwmcSbLBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cheshire High School students and coaches were recognized by the Cheshire Board of Education for recent competitive and program milestones.

At the start of the meeting, staff recognized three students who participated in the Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair: Wendy Kai (third honors), Adhitha Ghanda (second honors and a finalist award) and Suchita Srinivasan (first honors, a finalist award and an invitation to the Connecticut Invention Convention), according to a district speaker.

John Pericino, the district’s athletic director, highlighted a historic year for the school’s fencing program as it transitioned from club status to a fully recognized varsity sport. Pericino reported that the men’s épée team won its conference and the state championship for the second consecutive year; the men’s saber team finished sixth in the state; the women’s foil team placed second in the conference and sixth in the state; and the women’s saber team finished third in the state — a first in Cheshire fencing history. Pericino also noted that more than half of the fencers earned conference academic achievement awards. He thanked coaches Heather Von Fisher, Kyle Mezi, Elizabetha Carianova and Adam Casas.

During audience remarks, an attendee identified as Miss Nichols said one of the fencers had been invited to compete internationally and showed the board a formal convocation from the Brazilian federation; the student (referred to in the meeting as Victoria) is scheduled to compete in Brazil and Spain.

Athletic Director Pericino also recognized the Cheshire High School cheerleading team for an historic season: a second‑place finish at the Class L state championships (the highest in school history) and a first‑time qualification for the New England championships, where the team placed third in New England. Coach Emily Funk was recognized though she was not present.

Finally, the board celebrated longtime girls outdoor track and field coach Barbara Hedden, who will be inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame this June. Pericino and speakers read Hedden’s record, starting with her tenure at Cheshire High School in 1992 and earlier coaching at Mercy High School, and quoted Hedden on coaching philosophy: \"I have dedicated my coaching career to helping my athletes and teams fulfill their potential, strive to be better athletes and people, and give back to the team and community.\"

No board action was required for the recognitions.","Cheshire High students won awards at the Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair; the school’s fencing program moved from club to varsity and captured state titles in several events; cheerleading qualified for New England championships and placed third; longtime coach Barbara Hedden will be inducted into a national hall of fame.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6072211,"Finance report: budget tracking, medical‑benefits limits and next steps on energy performance contract",0,3623000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3031426-6d116058936aac5f582c77db42fba99d&start=3623&end=3623","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3031426-6d116058936aac5f582c77db42fba99d/thumbnail_3623000.jpg","/articles/6072211/Connecticut/Finance-report-budget-tracking-medicalbenefits-limits-and-next-steps-on-energy-performance-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072211-866be12bc28193fd6a74e231cdbbd393/orig.mp4?Expires=1770608434&Signature=f56QxqG2sVhVQVDbe-uqhq52LP05WFvrRF1KYzJj6Q1EsrSrakdXvyimMHJ8LKbt~mLd-fWPPI7s4xcFUg7guT1GYmOOQSdIr-AUQTGp31uajJJYwyQOkhzJ0vyjmASeWF2DabGGVMHEUEmtJ9eU4HgimCT3P7HMNJ69ZtvpqRpVpclzTqhw1-bOz43U~qqv70COjOo6Aoym4nQAx2rIIuWgBhS3HWmzwHi-PG3B2~Z~3scEjwQYj8YAA~YSxtRuBs0uutnv5B9UTOU~SvMkqZFCpL34meEvO0BBDiAkN9lf~YMgbCRt32nE5l0diGfOT9QtYb7LL36DbJ6T5hnPYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance staff told the board the district’s fiscal year is in sound shape through the third quarter and described steps to preserve a potential $200,000 contribution into the next fiscal year.

Doctor Harrigan opened the finance update and said the packet included a summary through 03/31/2025. \"Our approved budget for the 20 20 four-twenty 5 fiscal year is 89,000,000 dollars 542,609,\" the finance presenter read from the materials; staff also reported $82,109,965 expended and encumbered so far. A staff correction noted the district has completed nine months of the fiscal year.

To protect against an anticipated need to contribute $200,000 to next year’s budget, the district is keeping a 70% hold on non‑payroll expenditures for another month; maintenance and supplies were identified as typical sources to draw from if necessary, and planned spring stipends (for example, spring sports coach stipends) will reduce certain balances.

On medical benefits, staff said the district is self‑insured and that most cost drivers are claims rather than administrative fees. Staff noted that annual processing/management fees are roughly $300,000 and said shopping carriers every year has limited upside for a self‑insured plan; fully insured plans or the state partnership plan would likely be more expensive for the district and employees. Budget‑workshop figures presented earlier showed the state plan would cost roughly $40,000 per family plan compared with the district’s current approximate $30,000 per family (figures cited in discussion), making the state plan less favorable for cost reasons.

On energy performance contracting, the working group has completed interviews with three firms — Ameresco, Johnson Controls and Honeywell — and will meet April 21 to select a firm to perform an investment‑grade audit. Staff said the investment‑grade audit process will produce detailed savings guarantees and that the working group expects results of the next phase in early fall.

Board members asked questions about where budget holdbacks might come from and whether medical benefits shopping could reduce costs; staff responded that stop‑loss and claims administration are reviewed but that claims themselves are the primary cost drivers.

No action was taken at this meeting on the energy contract selection; staff will report back after the April 21 working‑group meeting and following the investment‑grade audit if a firm is selected.","Finance staff reported the district budget is generally on track through the third quarter, discussed a $200,000 potential carry requirement and a 70% non‑payroll hold; staff also described limits to savings from shopping health plans and scheduled a working‑group selection for the energy performance firm on April 21.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6072216,"Cheshire schools begin planning for redistricting and possible high‑school start‑time changes for 2026–27",332,3589000,3921000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3031426-6d116058936aac5f582c77db42fba99d&start=3589&end=3921","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3031426-6d116058936aac5f582c77db42fba99d/thumbnail_3589000.jpg","/articles/6072216/Connecticut/Cheshire-schools-begin-planning-for-redistricting-and-possible-highschool-starttime-changes-for-202627","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072216-1f0e8f52bb70ce7c051e6503d5706104/orig.mp4?Expires=1770608434&Signature=WLRnDXU66RGXj6i5UaQRf79BxixWT3zYDiTz0lYaMcMu4CViJE1IgE8~JHhnTlobh0pDO8FI8lgfnOwK4YFVH1rtIbzoy~RlLVUILJpMth6jYCxd4XcWycWgE0wiA2o7FK3y0HTSjnSs9Dz7795fgQQ4rlsm4N6C0s~EU5fVixSx-cX1kiBZwdrFtopOH7hqT-6rGmvSrjkHANtE3JiCPxleUb2r7IL9aWJPzHz75yhgEBrnqgXoRDJ4GuBsOsIfmYXPfAtcY9bqC~LWaGpE1v16VIM-0FqNMP2PEsBtaXWe9kaGJ4r0qNwgyQUMl9J9Drdhcp1pxW0vKxFcLvveqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cheshire School District staff told the Board of Education they are planning redistricting and possible changes to school start times for the 2026–27 school year to accommodate new construction and building demolitions.

Superintendent Doctor Solon said the district is not considering start‑time changes for 2025–26 but expects the new buildings and demolition work to require permanent schedule adjustments when students move into the new facilities in 2026–27. \"The demolition and enclosure of a couple of buildings and construction of a new building that's geographically pretty far from where other buildings are at the moment will certainly require, not just redistricting, but tweaking the start times for each school,\" Solon said.

District staff are studying logistics, financial implications, impacts on sports schedules and before‑ and after‑care, and operational issues such as bus routing and traffic flow. The superintendent credited Emily Taylor and transportation coordinator Luther Miller for work on start‑time options; Solon said the YMCA and town public safety officials are part of the conversation. The district plans to vet every option for feasibility before presenting proposals publicly.

Superintendent Solon also reported that underground utilities are installed at the new construction sites, concrete is being poured, and steel delivery is expected next month so the buildings’ structural work will begin this summer. He said the district and YMCA purchased a church property across from Norton School to use for parking during the fall 2026 demolition of the existing Norton building.

Board members asked how long any timing changes would last; Solon said changes would be permanent once implemented to reflect the geography of the new buildings and the district’s transportation needs. The board discussed complications including tiered bus runs, staffing impacts if schedules shift, and the possibility that forthcoming state legislation about start times could affect timing, though Solon said the district will need to decide on its plan regardless of state timing.

No formal vote was taken; staff will continue the work and return with vetted options later in the spring or early summer.","Superintendent and staff said changes to start times and redistricting will be considered for 2026–27 to accommodate new school construction; no decisions were made and the district will vet logistics, transportation and childcare implications before public proposals.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6072219,"Board approves State Department of Education survey questions for students, staff and parents",419,1825000,2244000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3031426-6d116058936aac5f582c77db42fba99d&start=1825&end=2244","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3031426-6d116058936aac5f582c77db42fba99d/thumbnail_1825000.jpg","/articles/6072219/Connecticut/Board-approves-State-Department-of-Education-survey-questions-for-students-staff-and-parents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072219-fe6ea6337f62058d5ee3021552e0e26f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770608434&Signature=d4TxT5Q2vLT0bptJD~bxhBzMEbYxDNUNAPGiHFOzgKUlKMWgzGJzBskGOmle5EmaX5fsGaehTzy9xkna8bJVfTFbdfnU6t~~rri3OCE6yQt2wOwZZbDRf2tTtxlUT6kA3niePl06MqM6LwLUjYDXRIWl28CdBVfKgV5Y19CruNlcht-kl02gXFp59000YwzTEdpJFZU1QQ3w0uy42SamtSpcXQBZ27AG7B7gn9mFYdSsGCdyxg8dFMhf9B0-UlXdqK6XvDqEy6MNV0PTtcJGYEDVQnkomG0VCpWDDBsI771YzNdboznD9vn5FvYSxc9m5~nsV35dFpJqsL9texRtiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cheshire Board of Education unanimously approved a motion to use the State Department of Education’s recommended survey questions for students, staff and parents.

Board member Miss Cullinan moved the approval and Mr. Eke seconded; the vote was unanimous.

The survey will be given to students in grades 3 through 12 in classrooms after the April break, district staff said. \"The parent survey will be sent directly to all families via ParentSquare,\" said Miss Solano, a district staff member, who described the distribution plan. She added that parents will receive a letter with a PDF copy of the survey and \"an opportunity to opt their child out of the survey if they would like.\" The staff survey will be sent to all employees who work in the buildings, not only teaching staff.

Miss Solano said the district typically allows about two weeks for responses and sends reminders to increase participation. She told the board that historically student response rates exceed 90% at elementary levels and are somewhat lower at the high school. After collection, results will be analyzed at the school level by each building’s safe school climate committee, reviewed at a district safe school climate meeting in May, and used to inform summer safe school climate improvement plans that will be posted online.

Board members asked about logistics and timing. Miss Harrigan asked how the parent and staff surveys would be distributed; Miss Solano answered with the ParentSquare plan and the opt‑out letter. The board confirmed administration after the April break and that each survey is expected to take roughly 10 minutes.

The motion on the floor read: \"That the Cheshire Board of Education approves the survey questions as recommended by the State Department of Education.\" The board voted unanimously in favor.

District staff said the questions are taken directly from the State Department’s recommended list and that the district had received the guidance only recently. The board asked that staff share participation-rate data after the administration.

No further formal actions were taken on the survey at this meeting.","The Cheshire Board of Education unanimously approved State Department of Education–recommended survey questions for students in grades 3–12, staff and parents; the district will administer the student survey in class after April break and give families an opt-out option.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Board approves surveys, minutes and adjourns to executive session

Cheshire High honors student science fair finalists, varsity fencing milestone, cheer team and longtime coach

Finance report: budget tracking, medical‑benefits limits and next steps on energy performance contract

Cheshire schools begin planning for redistricting and possible high‑school start‑time changes for 2026–27

Board approves State Department of Education survey questions for students, staff and parents