[{"_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",6253247,"mediaKeyId","3182406-5062b9d8c4fc80a6c93be962e36b2552","parentId",3182406,"title","Crosby High officials and students highlight steady gains in attendance, graduation and early college participation","audioSeconds",984,"startMs",621000,"endMs",1605000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182406-5062b9d8c4fc80a6c93be962e36b2552&start=621&end=1605","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182406-5062b9d8c4fc80a6c93be962e36b2552/thumbnail_621000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6253247/Connecticut/Crosby-High-officials-and-students-highlight-steady-gains-in-attendance-graduation-and-early-college-participation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253247-7f3652e6ea14235dde7acf63932ac7f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522649&Signature=ORFge0aKKLf2EtP4S4TIyx8NZU~FGa917ZWWT5jcXPrExbD0nr0sY68Kl6WrX2tCaT6lw6LlNKeUJ5DTLMoEJR4VExUvbL9Wc7OKijjEaynYH3c9WHMThspoLLFZvPmH6dUufQ9bhe8SvFOMyfV5DTpv8krIFvVH9-CNEvAiQNAaoKesgOPVP8KR9CoYsvTkMuUbWj3htPNghQrN8vqJRA7go7CIRVtiuAiPGpGWqUEWeG-udvEbWBNJgPbA5lGYvTLABuUsmgyh~GPFpK9wczNJM~gn7Wiji7LuiETbNkWvj~Q36UDDrjMH51RyVSJs0eWE4A9z4gwHjrL46oL9rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Waterbury School District","date","2025-05-02T21:10:23.4Z","article","Crosby High School staff and students briefed the Waterbury Board of Education on May 1 about school improvements and ongoing projects, citing enrollment of 1,428 students and several academic and climate gains.

Saxon Thoms, identified as Crosby’s student council president, and school leaders described a range of changes they said have contributed to improved outcomes, including leadership focus areas on safety, academics, student behavior and ninth-grade “on-track” status.

Key items presented by school leaders and students in the meeting record include:

- Enrollment: “Our current enrollment is 1,428,” the school presentation states.

- Early College program: Crosby runs an Early College High School partnership with Post University that allows a cohort of students to earn an associate degree before high school graduation; the program was singled out multiple times in presentations.

- Postsecondary entrance: Presenters said the rate of students attending two- or four-year colleges rose from 47% to 54% over the past year.

- SAT and assessment gains: Presenters said Grade 11 math proficiency on the SAT rose from less than 1% four years ago to preliminary increases over 10 percentage points; evidence-based reading and writing proficiency rose from 16% to 21% in the prior year, with further improvement expected based on preliminary data.

- English learner (EL) gains: Staff cited improvements on a state EL literacy assessment (an 11-percentage-point improvement in literacy and about a 14-point gain in oral language measures for English learners year over year) and credited ESL staff including the teacher of the year, Julie Giannetti.

- Ninth-grade on-track and attendance: Crosby reported 84% of ninth graders on track (defined in the presentation as earning six or more credits) and an 8% decline in chronic absenteeism; presenters said incentives, increased activities and targeted interventions contributed to attendance gains.

- Student behavior: The school reported a 10% decrease in suspensions compared with 2022–23, citing a shift toward alternative interventions and creation of a \"Shaping Students Behaviors\" team that assigns support staff to caseloads for daily check-ins.

- Safety and technology policy: The school said implementation of a revised technology policy, including pouch checks and ID collection at entry, and deployment of a Halo system helped reduce on-campus vaping and related incidents.

- Facilities and programs: Crosby leaders described a full HVAC renovation underway, a new fitness center, a renovated auditorium with an upcoming student-written play in May, new science classroom furniture to support NGSS labs, and a planned “Bulldog Bistro” restaurant opening in fall 2025. The school also hosts an ION Bank branch for student internships on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Students at the meeting, including Sinclair (a senior in the Early College program), and student representatives endorsed the changes and said the school feels more positive and welcoming. Board members and the interim superintendent praised staff and student leaders for the progress and asked for dates for upcoming events such as the school play.

All facts in this article are drawn from the school presentation and public discussion recorded in the meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Waterbury Board of Education Workshop and Special Meeting - May 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Crosby High School staff and students showcased school improvements — enrollment 1,428; early college program; gains in postsecondary entrance and graduation rates; decreases in suspension and chronic absenteeism — and outlined ongoing projects including an HVAC renovation and a Bulldog Bistro opening in 2025.","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},6253252,"District grants update: $173.5M overview, ARP ESSER extension remains pending",169,5160000,5329000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182406-5062b9d8c4fc80a6c93be962e36b2552&start=5160&end=5329","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182406-5062b9d8c4fc80a6c93be962e36b2552/thumbnail_5160000.jpg","/articles/6253252/Connecticut/District-grants-update-1735M-overview-ARP-ESSER-extension-remains-pending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253252-c6a9cd74a283ecc48b01a69cfce39365/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522649&Signature=ecnmfotRauoUKO4f93mTDw9KPCuI76yA72-p3Yl7hi4XN63gPEeTkReRCk4x9e1NUiseboEgZAYfpT7xVUGxifKE55bgc3QTw~OgXuaSBCcF~eCNicOc745u711aNVzq5HC891JLpSjIXycvJco3Nlw8ToAfpGJqO5eSUgCRdLT~PZcVAy-Yn6Iq49u4wZHveXaN9GmuhcBE1xWOYRZpqzoAX7~~~GSYiSXOL7FxQ3lSW20i1t3Mp4ScELIWoDYqr9YRiZUxIFq90MhOX1SoYZmq0dJ6unFUBBgCsucZFc1oFUSHFk5bOpwYJnNrutU47JcY49fRZjJSFoV1lPuttQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Waterbury Board of Education received a grants status briefing on May 1 that summarized federal, state and miscellaneous grant funding for the 2024–25 school year and highlighted uncertainty around a pending federal decision on ARP ESSER liquidations.

Doreen and Linda Riddick Baron told the board total grant awards for the fiscal year were presented as $173,500,000. The district said federal grants collectively totalled about $62,500,000; within that amount, approximately $29,100,000 to $30,000,000 was identified as ARP ESSER (ESSER 3) funding that previously had a September 30, 2024 liquidation deadline.

Staff said they had applied for an extension and that the state Department of Education had asked the U.S. Department of Education for flexibility. District staff submitted a revised worksheet at the state’s request and said they are waiting for the federal agency’s decision on the remaining extension request; they specifically mentioned $11,500,000 as an amount still under review with federal authorities.

The briefing also outlined large state grants, including a reported Alliance Grant figure of about $76,000,000 that the presenters said supports priority schools; the presenters noted that some schools are being removed from turnaround funds as they meet improvement targets. Presenters tied some program spending to local initiatives: for example, Early College High School tuition and lunch support were described as funded from a Title IV allocation, and parent-liaison salaries were described as funded through Title I set-asides.

Commissioners asked whether funds that expire will be exhausted; staff said funds with expiration dates would be drawn down as appropriate and that some grants will continue into subsequent years. Presenters also noted several federally funded programs that include carryover provisions such as IDEA and Title I, which are commonly administered with multi-year carryover accounting.

The transcript records the grant totals and the extension request discussions but does not include detailed line-item budget schedules in the public excerpt. Presenters recommended continued monitoring and noted that the district’s federal-state grant portfolio supports staffing, summer mental-health clinicians and other programmatic items included in the May agenda.","The district reported roughly $173.5 million in grants for 2024–25 and said a pending federal decision could affect about $11.5 million in ARP ESSER liquidations; state Alliance grant funding and other federal programs were also summarized.",{"_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},6253257,"Board reviews large out-of-district special-education contracts and related budget questions",851,4267000,5118000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182406-5062b9d8c4fc80a6c93be962e36b2552&start=4267&end=5118","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182406-5062b9d8c4fc80a6c93be962e36b2552/thumbnail_4267000.jpg","/articles/6253257/Connecticut/Board-reviews-large-out-of-district-special-education-contracts-and-related-budget-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253257-4c97ddfedeafb4c5b7c3679a99d2a44f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522649&Signature=N6vwsG~HtrezvBbq2S4JaoQxweq-cBvgDVYyTn~QtnlB8wOmNAA5xah04rJv8D7LFX5gBodNc5W0-wwHlJSIgJOhIQPwkqOS3hy9mYc06V-oIuWjtfu1xIs8aCzCMWRe0WhPXCROubUZ4u5bqleNSttQTNvIaoLmKIgVvRuY7u63dhpmZyPhdBwL7g1OHSp6iuXhetz03nrTqyhNx6gSLDXJY5YGQNIGqK1i9QUXyYazsPP2jBCIKeEbbvr4dB~RPYjScU24OILlSayJX863U1sXQNaSgmAHW~gRCTLybHVGs~rbnjZslE3yWHNA6rJ5DgeNcV8GFEX8Yf29Pwy6Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waterbury Public Schools staff asked the Board of Education on May 1 to approve a series of out-of-district special-education agreements and an amendment to an existing placement, covering students currently placed outside the district and totaling several million dollars over three-year terms.

Special education presenters said the contracts will run from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, and are paid from the district’s general fund. Officials emphasized the district already has students in most listed placements and that the agreements are continuations or extensions rather than new, unfilled contracts.

Details presented in the meeting record include:

- An amendment to a contract with Ben Bronze Academy adding $392,817.22 for the current calendar year; the presenter said the increase was to honor an Individualized Education Program for a student who moved into Waterbury and whose out-of-state IEP required continuation of the prior placement.

- A three-year agreement with the American School for the Deaf Institute of Deaf Education and Culture Inc., for 10 students at a total of $2,235,475 (07/01/2025–06/30/2028), paid from general funds.

- A three-year agreement with Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) covering six sites and 21 students at $6,300,272 total for the term; presenters identified this as the district’s largest single contract among the items presented.

- A three-year agreement with Aspire Living and Learning Inc. for 10 students at $3,866,900 for the term.

- Additional three-year agreements cited included contracts with Ben Haven Inc., Grama Stones Behavioral Services ($547,097), Saint Vincent’s Special Needs Inc. ($1,545,270), and Waterford Country School Inc. ($337,827). Presenters said transportation is an additional cost that is not included in the placement figures that were presented.

Special-education staff described an out-of-district monitoring process that includes monthly site visits, attendance checks, review of teacher certification, observation of student engagement and documentation of curriculum and adult support; the visits and follow-up items are maintained in a shared Google Sheet so multiple district staff can track outcomes and actions.

Commissioners raised budget and procurement concerns during discussion. Commissioner Van Stone and others asked how the district pays for placements when students move into Waterbury from other states; staff said out-of-state placements are the district’s responsibility and the district must adopt or create an IEP that meets the student’s needs. Commissioners also clarified that invoices are paid for services rendered and purchase orders are adjusted as needed, and that contracts include termination clauses tied to funding availability.

The meeting transcript shows the special-education department requested approval for these agreements but the provided excerpt does not include completed roll-call votes on each contract item. Presenters noted that many of the contracts are renewals of existing placements with current students on site.","Staff presented multiple three-year agreements and an amendment for out-of-district special-education placements covering hundreds of students and multimillion-dollar totals; presenters said contracts are billed for services rendered and transportation is charged separately.",{"_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},6253262,"Board votes to appoint Dr. Darren M. Schwartz as Waterbury superintendent after 8–2 roll call",1177,8311000,9488000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182406-5062b9d8c4fc80a6c93be962e36b2552&start=8311&end=9488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182406-5062b9d8c4fc80a6c93be962e36b2552/thumbnail_8311000.jpg","/articles/6253262/Connecticut/Board-votes-to-appoint-Dr-Darren-M-Schwartz-as-Waterbury-superintendent-after-82-roll-call","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253262-b877decf6ab4c65861302b3bd3dd8dfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522649&Signature=PsVux-FZ1ge6s42DMQn6qmm895qX9XJWrqGQNmuSa5HO-xyzlubU3pWHNoX9OVkJe8h6iS-~9iY8gqxSQiBp7OshA4LzcyqKc6qsHglzesAOEqeumR2Rz~YZOBEyYoPdf7dyf43HMvYmGs-lTQErc56hRlDL6Gap9fvBa2VqkxxTuVBY1-g4otxVvqRcFaqG-lTCtNDkxLwV5NvCq0Td7ZG1hFzjdsu340veR3JpvJaKjSLsLyRI~HZDD7vQ~TTHR1GmCPRy81D3JLvApMmD5eA8sUPTgWgf5Xm1l173IGr9q61OXUHS9Oqc3RpQBTwlJl-jzMcQh1~YvmWv7txKsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Waterbury Board of Education voted to appoint Dr. Darren M. Schwartz as superintendent, approving a three-year contract to begin upon execution after an 8–2 roll call during the May 1 special meeting at Crosby High School.

The appointment follows the personnel search committee recommendation that the board “consider Dr. Darren M. Schwartz as [superintendent] for a period of three years,” a motion that passed on the recorded roll call. The board recorded eight yea votes and two no votes on the motion during the session.

The selection ends a multi-month search process. In his remarks after the vote, Dr. Darren M. Schwartz thanked the board, district staff and search partners and said he would prioritize students. “I commit to being steadfast and always putting our students first,” he told the commissioners and assembled guests.

Board members who spoke during the discussion cited Schwartz’s long service in the district and experience in academic leadership. Vice President Brown described Schwartz’s “amazing dedication to students and community partnerships,” and Commissioner Van Stone said he had followed Schwartz’s career in Waterbury and was “very confident” in the recommendation. Several commissioners noted the process was difficult and that they had conducted their own due diligence before voting.

The roll-call votes recorded on the motion were: Vice President Brown (yes); Commissioner Anthony Ireland (yes); Commissioner Latoya Ireland (yes); Commissioner Jackson (yes); Commissioner Lopez (yes); Commissioner O’Brien (yes); Commissioner Orso (yes); Commissioner Van Stone (yes); Commissioner Serrano Adorno (no); President Hernandez (no). The transcript does not record the name of the member who made the motion and the member who seconded it on the public record excerpt.

Schwartz acknowledged the work of prior superintendents and district staff and outlined a commitment to maintain a student-centered focus while developing a strategic plan. He also thanked family members and district staff who supported him during the transition.

The meeting record shows the personnel search committee’s recommendation and the board’s roll-call vote; a formal signed employment contract and any negotiated terms will be executed separately by the parties as authorized in the motion.","The Waterbury Board of Education approved Dr. Darren M. Schwartz for a three-year superintendent contract, with an 8–2 roll call vote. Schwartz pledged to prioritize students and work with district staff and community partners.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Crosby High officials and students highlight steady gains in attendance, graduation and early college participation

District grants update: $173.5M overview, ARP ESSER extension remains pending

Board reviews large out-of-district special-education contracts and related budget questions

Board votes to appoint Dr. Darren M. Schwartz as Waterbury superintendent after 8–2 roll call