[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6225804,"mediaKeyId","3531661-4ad68091c4b14abcc5a755efd383c2c8","parentId",3531661,"title","District showcases student art recognized at Scholastic Art Awards; annual exhibit to open","audioSeconds",64,"startMs",74000,"endMs",138000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3531661-4ad68091c4b14abcc5a755efd383c2c8&start=74&end=138","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3531661-4ad68091c4b14abcc5a755efd383c2c8/thumbnail_74000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6225804/Connecticut/District-showcases-student-art-recognized-at-Scholastic-Art-Awards-annual-exhibit-to-open","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225804-15300f43ca2bf114882bc23f4e280f00/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161549&Signature=BSfwH5hwEsWwuPhz3NkTW1Kw5dM6~sOCXqZHFjNqRAo5zGYEVhaI3KAhFPtyiFzsBB0HVfPpHP65e8fAE5snq-Inylb3eKMFGGEI8AKa9tfPW5Jd-lHVInR~xfucZ3mcAm-XGMLK4lrHxD2oZvw1E5qnv9t8nxnYSM3vgOE6SlQQyqDiCSa64FjipDfd-zhr6XcKWBm47td9djdoiWxyF1WmYdUHnZk0G92fy46UQuIDQQG2X8oarw-hfTMeAfpqOIS5N3uDqGBfpW6VngpdhMK~5rU2LfME86YA~uN0YrxaFjBiUlTvbFA1jI9yNHOTqz5pPwY5MmHL3L3lU7yXrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Simsbury Public Schools","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","Shannon Gagne, the district’s K‑12 director of fine arts, presented examples of student work that received recognition at this year’s Scholastic Art Awards and invited the board and public to the district art exhibition.

Gagne highlighted an eighth‑grade drawing that “did win a national award,” saying the piece received a Gold Key and noting a range of media in the program, including printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, glass, photography and jewelry. She pointed to several seniors who will continue art in college and noted that portfolios will be on display at the art show. The director also described a student‑led “commitment ceremony” modeled after athletic signing traditions to honor students who plan to pursue art after graduation.

Board members thanked Gagne and praised the department’s faculty for maintaining active artistic practices and public exhibits. The transcript records the invitation to the exhibition and an award ceremony scheduled during the art show.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Simsbury Public Schools Board of Education Meeting - May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","K‑12 fine‑arts director Shannon Gagne presented student artwork honored at the Scholastic Art Awards and invited the board and public to view the district exhibition and award ceremony.","taxTitle","Simsbury School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",60307,"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},6225808,"Trojan Community Council proposes reorganized career clusters, program‑of‑studies website and community internships",346,1811000,2157000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3531661-4ad68091c4b14abcc5a755efd383c2c8&start=1811&end=2157","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3531661-4ad68091c4b14abcc5a755efd383c2c8/thumbnail_1811000.jpg","/articles/6225808/Connecticut/Trojan-Community-Council-proposes-reorganized-career-clusters-programofstudies-website-and-community-internships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225808-90106e4538b5c9c6eec165e4b97c3465/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161549&Signature=bXR0Yr24KWnTJD41hXIwC-jVl7z9v~R8xSghVf~u~xLpb3bV9o5h7X86OEgg4hedW9xs4gVJ60latlOqhgEyZqgtrRkVICT8HOV8lcMIPYI63aE4WKkIoIjNYW6dhCH1dHudqu3UMr2~yE1seKjECDey~FbtBVxG4QToTi7BXyDD1zBtfqsSkwvyKqrad~xNhY6vZD6TAVrJd~2SnudV38Twr4BH5wuJSLexC9jTFISfwYQ55lBX3bOtjztKeVNkh~PCrE4VS0mb18S08JLy-fvtrceozOscE5erEuYlC5tnXu7E0vUCg6FxW1q8b-t8Lcm01byZNS3L9k6~aSlmSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Trojan Community Council, a two‑year district committee of parents, students, teachers, board members and community partners, presented its first‑year work and recommended reorganizing the high‑school program of studies to better align with career clusters and student interest inventories.

Maggie, the committee presenter, said the group studied the district’s existing six clusters—biomedical science, business, communications, culinary, engineering and humanities—and reviewed resources such as the Connecticut Department of Labor career pathways book and sample programs from Westbrook and Southington. The committee identified gaps, including stronger connections to health‑care pathways and competitive trade‑school options, and recommended creating a clearer, visually accessible program‑of‑studies website and materials that list community partners and related extracurriculars.

The group described pilot ideas including a summer intern with web‑design skills to help reformat the program and stronger community outreach to local employers so students can pursue internships, certificates or apprenticeships. The presenter said the committee will refine recommendations over the summer and return options for board review, with the intent to complete program‑of‑studies revisions by December for the next school year.","A newly formed Trojan Community Council reviewed career clusters, consulted state labor research and other districts, and recommended a reworked program of studies and improved community connections for internships and certificates.",{"_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},6225813,"Board hears quarterly budget update; special‑education excess cost and electricity are major cost risks",112,3633000,3745000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3531661-4ad68091c4b14abcc5a755efd383c2c8&start=3633&end=3745","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3531661-4ad68091c4b14abcc5a755efd383c2c8/thumbnail_3633000.jpg","/articles/6225813/Connecticut/Board-hears-quarterly-budget-update-specialeducation-excess-cost-and-electricity-are-major-cost-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225813-5a8d300cd15458be77216e03d3b29f14/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161549&Signature=d8bU6iRZKqn8SiRiCsGmzLpdgVtu9G52q5GpzKaG2Kv2KrRJzLRr7u3NoKHaH3lCbD9tVFx-xtsdCkwc68s2qBPW9Dop26BrTkN8W8EWj0e6IO--DcxRDejo3bBH5ScwjH5BmbsGB9oMGvorNN3uV3dHdh~dSrJ4by2G2udL1u7HK5Rft7evQQIUEsUfbAH-SWDUpusxSoLekxpUb6BvAZt65DflDA6j6rT-7BCHgyDL6oKdzCDYUOo6kxzXk4Tdo105y8IuYtkDpHOfneirxccWgcW3R6v8JeqEJsA00GDWSFNrwkIaK8wji92UWbpDFXMKsesyOjj85fuRbnG5nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District administrators presented the quarterly budget analysis covering revenues through March and noted no significant changes to projected revenues since the last report.

Officials highlighted three volatile cost centers: special‑education out‑of‑district tuition and excess cost placements, pupil transportation, and electricity for building operations. The transcript records that the legislature has acted to address an earlier shortfall in excess cost funding and that the district expects an increase in special‑education excess cost funding (discussed as a $40,000,000 increase at the state level) and additional Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) funding cited as about $8,700,000 for the coming year; administrators described these as developments that reduce the previously forecast $400,000 local shortfall for the current year.

Administrators said Chromebooks and other equipment purchases are budgeted but not yet expended, and that electricity costs are likely to push the district over budget this year; the shortfall is expected to be covered from a non‑lapsing fund. Board members asked how state funding changes affect the mill rate and received a clarification that the mill rate is not retroactively altered when later revenues exceed original estimates; surplus or revenue gains typically flow to the town’s general fund when set by the board of finance.

The transcript shows the discussion but does not record final budget adjustments.","Administrators told the board the district’s revenues are stable but highlighted volatility from special‑education outplacements, transportation and higher electricity costs; a previously reported $400,000 projected hole may be mitigated by recent legislative fixes and use of a non‑lapsing fund.",{"_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},6225817,"Board reviews state‑mandated bullying definition changes, restorative practices and discipline policy updates",157,3318000,3475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3531661-4ad68091c4b14abcc5a755efd383c2c8&start=3318&end=3475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3531661-4ad68091c4b14abcc5a755efd383c2c8/thumbnail_3318000.jpg","/articles/6225817/Connecticut/Board-reviews-statemandated-bullying-definition-changes-restorative-practices-and-discipline-policy-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225817-0a99c0f4ec55fbfa9f0e749411c74539/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161549&Signature=gNNZr66pI3bpIfIfDLWbNlnOTxM88U7-aJU6VknPrLdnrd8ReK0BMF9HXRq9eCoxTWB8FPQjBtTMGreJMnIOVBl3RuAJVmE99ThK40JU-w7ZOIlFZH4OhBJf9SYypQdMZ~pTEHkd37VwZR3N-n60vC0dNvRPtxRNgrVw2groiM~krBXLb4so5J~KmahJoUqfN3L6U-e67jrS3opkgG1Kh-ETyffd3w6N8RPuTD45KOHGA~a3cItgHFqAJtJIbdJV90jTVGxVin13uoJl5~AQqdmz88JkAQAX1Q0HVOFu4iVuk7pdGG6JpEjPXpLvjvagjlK28hpEz1p3Bt-8LinLew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members reviewed a set of policy updates that district staff and the policy committee prepared in response to recent state legislation and model language from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE).

A presenter summarized the key changes: the legal definition of bullying will broaden to cover “any actions that create a power imbalance,” districts must adopt CABE’s model language, and a new category called “challenging behavior” is intended to help administrators distinguish incidents that are not bullying but require intervention. Officials also discussed restorative practices, which the policy frames as efforts to repair relationships and school culture in addition to applying discipline.

The board also reviewed revisions affecting staff nondiscrimination policies (reviewed by Shipman & Goodwin), family and medical leave updates to align with federal changes to FMLA eligibility, and student discipline limits including constraints on internal suspensions. The presenting administrator said Simsbury’s current practice is broadly aligned with the state’s new expectations and that the proposed policies are a first reading; board members were invited to submit questions ahead of final adoption.","The board reviewed multiple policy revisions required by state law and guidance, including a redefined bullying standard focused on power imbalance, a new 'challenging behavior' classification, and updated limits on in‑school suspension days.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6225822,"Board considers 2025–2030 strategic plan; motion made, vote not clearly recorded in transcript",62,1696000,1758000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3531661-4ad68091c4b14abcc5a755efd383c2c8&start=1696&end=1758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3531661-4ad68091c4b14abcc5a755efd383c2c8/thumbnail_1696000.jpg","/articles/6225822/Connecticut/Board-considers-20252030-strategic-plan-motion-made-vote-not-clearly-recorded-in-transcript","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225822-12aba64353bf689f0238ddd6a6e67f3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161549&Signature=bEaJk9lhQt0Vj-9zCSqdBl2OoGOorqWvtUC80vohL327mG~Za5lqoFI-jLmbKCXwwHAF02jWw5GvKOOdEv0~kJnbiMDlINv4f8nBV9yjFlKGl2Hiao203QJ7N2ifAwGN17JrTxUmQeQuhJAtQ6rUt8th3iVDawauV8MsadnIvnJIefpbFPB8HDe245wiCn1vKXXCmJYwD2da9sH4V~zzt8KluydryEgUbsPXEL3CfY2e1WvF9eN08v2ViQngqF~Hs0SPpOW9JCUPdgerm0ghLZJZju-GlkVCvMcFY9CiB~DB2nu099oAObPuNPZTR5t10cRyoJ5cXJ9BEjrCSKn4wQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A motion to adopt the Simsbury Public Schools 2025–2030 strategic plan was moved and seconded during the board meeting; the transcript contains the motion and a second but does not clearly record the final vote tally.

Board members and staff described the plan as the product of a multi‑year development process meant to set district priorities for the next five years. A presenter said the document reflected committee work beginning last spring and public feedback taken at a hearing, and that the board would next consider communications and implementation priorities.

Board members noted the plan’s role as an alignment and benchmarking tool and thanked committee participants for their work. The transcript records the precise motion language: “I will move that the Simsbury Public Schools 20 25, 2030 strategic plan be adopted as presented.” The motion was seconded. The transcript does not unambiguously capture the outcome of the vote.

Because the meeting transcript does not include a clear recorded outcome for the motion, this article reports only what is in the record: the motion to adopt the plan was made and seconded and substantive discussion and public‑hearing input were cited in support.","Board members discussed a five‑year strategic plan and a motion to adopt the Simsbury Public Schools 2025–2030 strategic plan was moved and seconded; the transcript does not clearly record the final vote outcome.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District showcases student art recognized at Scholastic Art Awards; annual exhibit to open

Trojan Community Council proposes reorganized career clusters, program‑of‑studies website and community internships

Board hears quarterly budget update; special‑education excess cost and electricity are major cost risks

Board reviews state‑mandated bullying definition changes, restorative practices and discipline policy updates

Board considers 2025–2030 strategic plan; motion made, vote not clearly recorded in transcript