[{"_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",6047598,"mediaKeyId","3531813-6c9fae10d21b5349c023c25147649523","parentId",3531813,"title","Middletown highlights early returns from new Kindergarten Preparatory Academy","audioSeconds",2316,"startMs",4394000,"endMs",6710000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3531813-6c9fae10d21b5349c023c25147649523&start=4394&end=6710","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3531813-6c9fae10d21b5349c023c25147649523/thumbnail_4394000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6047598/Connecticut/Middletown-highlights-early-returns-from-new-Kindergarten-Preparatory-Academy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6047598-e3cff33db753ab455a757c48ed7144c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770553356&Signature=O0SPPHTAkzMoGwWzkqEHAzBlHkkkYuF8l9oneJRsYacP8YDc-FVFB39jU5ztZLVgOPgFM2RJ3OGvIVPaQNXUnAVvD0kfroMeIzBRbXshUw~QZH51K3HMvXtt0SQLdJbicGhFp2QkFBZsyeA~UJ1VpwbggRQqKD5Q7wvvjV5dIkifi46DNa~wQf~PiaY3AcYOnueCFYeJoFXK77vnlGS6bHdkN~nFnQ4UEsxXvOXPEIi4qNinSXYz7QFGapxpEZqUxT1smJ2hibstRxjFH0UrfIedCaImMPwpQrPMno-wCxvGtmaWp8qw2VManyn7bYitwU7VjiJ3AQBg9-veSvMOdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Middletown School District","date","2025-05-14T00:00:00Z","article","Middletown — The Middletown School District told the Board of Education on Tuesday that its new Kindergarten Preparatory Academy (KPA) produced measurable growth in participating children during its first year and that enrollment for next year already exceeds this year’s cohort.

The superintendent, Dr. Vasquez Matos, introduced the year‑in‑review presentation and said the program was created in response to a change in the state kindergarten law that left some younger children without a typical path to kindergarten. “This was an attempt to address that need as well and making sure our students who are entering kindergarten are actually ready academically and socially,” he said.

District staff described KPA as a full‑day program offered at seven sites this year, serving 86 children with certified teachers, transportation, meals and before‑and‑after‑school care. Don Dupee, supervisor of early childhood and community engagement, and Colin Fitzpatrick, supervisor of ELA, led a data‑driven presentation showing midyear gains in letter recognition, early numeracy and other foundational skills. The district said it is tracking the cohort through kindergarten and beyond to measure longer‑term impact.

Teachers described classroom practice that emphasized “purposeful play,” executive‑function routines and literacy‑rich environments. Angela (KPA teacher, Snow School) told the board that students engage in play scenarios tied to curricular units — for example, a garden center or grocery store — and then plan, execute and reflect on those activities to build self‑regulation and planning skills. “They plan what they’re going to do in that job… and then we reflect on that plan,” she said.

Naraskaya, a KPA teacher at Wesley Elementary, explained literacy supports: multilingual print, word walls, choral reading and a phonological awareness curriculum. Chris Newton, the Spencer KPA teacher, described the classroom energy and frequent use of counting and linear calendars: “A little girl… is counting to a hundred. That’s not an end‑of‑kindergarten skill. But they’re excited about it.”

A parent, Lisa Annis, said the program changed her family’s expectations: “My daughter has… she’s reading. It doesn’t feel like school to her. She’s excited.” The district noted families can opt into the program and that home visits and family engagement were part of this year’s model.

Administrators acknowledged work remaining on sustainable, equitable funding. Dr. Vasquez Matos said the district will press for stable support from state and federal sources and will continue collecting qualitative and quantitative evidence to make that case to policymakers. He noted that roughly 804 families are already on the enrollment list for next year’s KPA seats.

District leaders invited board members to visit KPA classrooms and said the program materials, a short video and updated data will appear on the district website.

The board praised teachers and staff and discussed tracking and reporting plans; no formal action was required at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Middletown Regular BOE Meeting - May 13th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Middletown — The Middletown School District told the Board of Education on Tuesday that its new Kindergarten Preparatory Academy (KPA) produced measurable growth in participating children during its first year and that enrollment for next year already exceeds this year’s cohort.","taxTitle","Middletown School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",58072,"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},6047587,"Board hears financial update: modest surplus, $3.8M in encumbrances and summer facilities projects including Kegwin transition",525,2695000,3220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3531813-6c9fae10d21b5349c023c25147649523&start=2695&end=3220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3531813-6c9fae10d21b5349c023c25147649523/thumbnail_2695000.jpg","/articles/6047587/Connecticut/Board-hears-financial-update-modest-surplus-38M-in-encumbrances-and-summer-facilities-projects-including-Kegwin-transition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6047587-d0db7f5440ad52106c10e0ccdc0e720f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770553356&Signature=CneJKE-7e8UELxqnEYSgtYQlSc7IPRtO9fPS11UX-xdRBLkzJOxLHqdKU2CYROjBq3lYZS65lkjGo4CKjaXS9DO8f2yCBlbjpeVAggcpm0Ni10eaK6Krsnt8pI5hPIw0fHii91cZqUQ8qzFcpRxcwcetFOHr42KlqlgkjctqsR6vqzc9bqkEMlHMTWG7FN2y6kGvQoj8SB0L8MPvqbx4EyAsnW1TWgmnzYAmVau6UHVYXwRz~WOLhi4h0K0coAvUnQT0R7QFujMY2NJWEfGbyWJSMXlCAALdL3u52L8EH9z1IXkIxHQG7Nf9YQzhm2H9IHcSBcde8sOcs4EnWN~yaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Middletown — The Middletown School District financial report on Tuesday showed a modest operating surplus for May and significant encumbrances reserved for specific projects, while facilities staff outlined several major summer projects and ongoing building needs.

Natalie Forbes, executive director of finance, told the board the May financial statement showed a surplus “of just over $200,000,” an improvement from the prior month. She emphasized the encumbrance column, which the business office shows at about $3.8 million — funds that schools and departments have set aside for contracts and purchase orders that will be carried through the fiscal year end.

Forbes said some deficit balances remain in special education transportation, out‑of‑district tuition and contracted professional services (for example, temporary social workers and psychologists used to fill vacancies). The board approved transfers totaling $54,872 for this month and a separate transfer package described during the meeting to support the Kegwin School handrail renovation project, where the district will use general funds as a local match (33.93% of the project cost) after a Common Council resolution.

Facilities director Marco Gaylord described planned summer work: Snow School roof replacement, Farm Hill solar installation and multiple high‑school repairs including pool refurbishment, handrail and diving‑board refinishing. Gaylord also reported emergency repairs completed this spring after a long pipe burst at Farm Hill and said crews were preparing for a busy summer schedule.

Board members praised facilities and finance staff for coordinating transitions tied to the Kegwin project, including moving McDonough students into Kegwin temporarily. Gaylord and Forbes said they had coordinated with the city and the business office to manage logistics and budgets.

Superintendent Vasquez Matos added a late update: the Common Council passed a city budget that includes a $2.3 million reduction to the Board of Education allocation. He said the district would need to evaluate the implications and return to the board with options.

No emergency action was taken beyond the routine approvals of monthly transfers; staff said they will provide updated budget scenarios after reviewing the council reduction.","Middletown — The Middletown School District financial report on Tuesday showed a surplus of roughly $200,000 in May and about $3.8 million in encumbrances, while facilities staff outlined summer projects including a Snow School roof replacement and high‑school pool work.",{"_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},6047592,"Middletown hires executive chef under state Chefs to School grant; district highlights nutrition initiatives",778,997000,1775000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3531813-6c9fae10d21b5349c023c25147649523&start=997&end=1775","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3531813-6c9fae10d21b5349c023c25147649523/thumbnail_997000.jpg","/articles/6047592/Connecticut/Middletown-hires-executive-chef-under-state-Chefs-to-School-grant-district-highlights-nutrition-initiatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6047592-f8f574e915e1697d7b959960c51e5a6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770553356&Signature=hkEdzQe3daVZEYF~dsBrcNX0ib6BF0flGid8bi6p8KTLX2-EPj03yC86bIoqFpOs~wunByPsoy7FPS7a2BZGNTyfd4KKVVKI6VCKaojvJitMskLtfx9juZNV7dWU0PasLb37jwaVtF0stpBkAk11k7Q8WEf3Z2FIYBYldPEiYU20Uhz82n3E0jl3amUByceOgRtTlFl8f5BNuIhnkUT5M~POqu08uW7vI7ig5VspQUZy8a84RkIIkdqvhzW1c9JrLcP3sdXmmajy6FS5IFPOU55XUT4bI9R3lwbuR621i42HS4lufToe4KU74~blVNG2ZzRD9IpME9diMc6DGx-51w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Middletown — Middletown Public Schools on Tuesday introduced Kesha Diaz as the district’s new executive chef after winning a Connecticut State Department of Education Chefs to School grant that will fund the position for three years.

Randall Mehl, Director of Food, Nutrition and Wellness Services, told the board the district was one of five of 32 eligible Connecticut districts to receive the award. “We have Chef Kesha here for the next three years with the goal of her helping us to create such a financially stable system that we can continue with her partnership and her great work,” Mehl said.

Chef Kesha described early priorities, including student engagement and operational improvements. Mehl said Diaz has already led professional development for cafeteria staff on knife skills and time management, led district catering for more than 1,100 staff at a recent event, and identified over $200,000 in potential additional revenue for the next school year through improved offerings and catering opportunities.

The nutrition office used the presentation to mark National School Lunch Hero Day (May 2) and described the department’s broader work: leading cooking clubs at multiple schools, expanding farm‑to‑school procurement under Connecticut Grow for Connecticut Kids funding, building school gardens and operating hydroponic units that supply lettuce for salad bars. The district said its nutrition staff serve nearly 1,000,000 meals per year across the system.

Board members asked about revenue sources for the expanded offerings; Mehl replied with examples from snack sales and site‑based cafe operations, noting one day’s snack sales at a high‑school location reached $400.

The board also heard that the district continues to monitor federal and state policy changes that could affect school meal funding. Superintendent Dr. Vasquez Matos reported that federal discussions around the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and broader nutrition funding remain unresolved, creating uncertainty about future meal funding and potential return to application‑based free/reduced processes for some districts.

No board action was required; the district said it will publish more about the Chefs to School initiative and planned publicity with local media.","Middletown Public Schools introduced Executive Chef Kesha Diaz after winning a Connecticut Chefs to School grant. District leaders said the chef has identified operational efficiencies and potential revenue streams while staff celebrated National School Lunch Hero Day and farm‑to‑school efforts.",{"_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},6047577,"Board approves tentative agreement with Middletown Federation of Paraprofessionals after executive session",31,7713000,7744000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3531813-6c9fae10d21b5349c023c25147649523&start=7713&end=7744","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3531813-6c9fae10d21b5349c023c25147649523/thumbnail_7713000.jpg","/articles/6047577/Connecticut/Board-approves-tentative-agreement-with-Middletown-Federation-of-Paraprofessionals-after-executive-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6047577-940f8e05d649100cc3ba8a7b7eb5f606/orig.mp4?Expires=1770553356&Signature=IUFCsrpMUsFeT1m8c7ygujWrbpje9B1mhxzP-uSmpdYA~hoUCGZmooIEImfu0DzeklRJ03JwSUKi6w3BrfODbCVCpn5SxtrtwMIbHkTbN~LPIQN4kBgLRQjiZPzsS9Wiy3FVZHMsx~~gR3I-AvhvOlsKUdvZLYJ1sQ9kpr3dy-UBS~lMwgQC3VOUaeaM7ItpMTjn09MMqYhMLTSHparfK4YCzSY1JP6HujLVwwlxL2BMK4UONaufP8X3AY5S-3a3qQ29Eb3gPZHWEixumwhhfjzlNTBZy3NrQCHfki1EMBxauD3Sue-OEiVnJbgNytccNpDi7DYSOO5D~LwPysjy1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Middletown — The Board of Education voted Tuesday to accept a tentative agreement reached with the Middletown Federation of Paraprofessionals following a closed executive session.

The board convened in executive session to discuss the tentative agreement and returned to public session to take a vote. A board member moved to accept the agreement and a second was recorded; the chair called the roll and the board approved the motion with the chair announcing “Motion carries.” The meeting minutes did not include the specific financial or contract terms in the public portion of the meeting.

Superintendent Vasquez Matos and human resources staff were present for the executive session; the board did not provide additional public details about the agreement at the time of the vote.

The vote concluded the meeting; the board adjourned at 9:18 p.m.","After an executive session, the Middletown School District board voted to accept a tentative agreement with the Middletown Federation of Paraprofessionals. The board moved and seconded the motion and then voted to approve; no detailed terms were disclosed during the public session.",{"_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},6047582,"Board discusses staffing shortages, recruiting and retention strategies as district prepares for summer hiring",683,3258000,3941000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3531813-6c9fae10d21b5349c023c25147649523&start=3258&end=3941","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3531813-6c9fae10d21b5349c023c25147649523/thumbnail_3258000.jpg","/articles/6047582/Connecticut/Board-discusses-staffing-shortages-recruiting-and-retention-strategies-as-district-prepares-for-summer-hiring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6047582-59af69b1e33467cbc2720f3587a35756/orig.mp4?Expires=1770553356&Signature=nTsPKc4mgDG1T0pkf-gFrIKyBW~8AqKiMy0fxLCkQGhskEWX6m322bgpod5uDiSzZvJMcvzR69dgqk6DcIhNprVtoHKGW1u6fYZgMh~HweVkt9Wujo9I9sGuzeTdNlwWNBHLkHyUsd4ps0euoiXj6jWINf443~JCeBlNDjNylsUiED-o-eq~a5qh~qXcXnSZOgvlI~D1Z7puVhtqDqR9g~M7Fqfy9j6LVUjgGwitJIDjP9MoxT7Ff5EvGXCyYhBf~4Z-4lme9t6ADBwBVG30LpygMA4xzuAOaZwWlU0Q0H8Wh8qX3sqlM8jAnFtJKBRan3YTEemaaoZuqmGazMkeaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Middletown — The board received an update Tuesday on staffing levels, retention efforts and recruiting plans as the district prepares for summer hiring.

Harry Snyder (personnel) told the board that most current vacancies are being covered by contracted providers or ESS to maintain services while the district recruits. He said one ongoing district‑covered vacancy is a multilingual/MLL teacher position being handled on an interim basis by internal staff.

Snyder and Superintendent Vasquez Matos described several recruiting strategies: statewide direct email outreach to more than 7,000 licensed candidates, continued use of job fairs (the district interviewed 18 candidates at a recent fair), and targeted outreach for STEM and specialty positions such as chemistry and bilingual educators. Snyder said the district planned a second round of interviews for an assistant principal at the high school and remained “optimistic” about filling leadership roles.

Board members pressed for more transparency from exit interviews and asked whether the board could see summarized exit‑interview data. The administration said summary spreadsheets and presentations have been provided previously and that further reports will be scheduled. Human resources staff described expanded onboarding proposals beyond HR, including building‑level orientation, weekly central‑office check‑ins for new hires and partnership with external providers to support retention.

Superintendent Vasquez Matos said the district records separations and uses exit and stay interviews to identify systemic drivers of turnover — for example, career changes, relocations and work conditions. The board discussed using pulse surveys through the year to monitor staff climate and applying retention strategies earlier in employees’ tenures.

No board action was required; the administration said it will continue summer recruitment efforts and return with additional data and a plan for consistent onboarding and retention reporting.","Personnel director Harry Snyder and district leaders told the board many current vacancies are covered by contracted professionals and staffing firms. The district plans targeted summer recruitment, enhanced onboarding, stay interviews and exit‑interview analysis to improve retention.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Middletown highlights early returns from new Kindergarten Preparatory Academy

Board hears financial update: modest surplus, $3.8M in encumbrances and summer facilities projects including Kegwin transition

Middletown hires executive chef under state Chefs to School grant; district highlights nutrition initiatives

Board approves tentative agreement with Middletown Federation of Paraprofessionals after executive session

Board discusses staffing shortages, recruiting and retention strategies as district prepares for summer hiring