[{"_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",6553317,"mediaKeyId","5067492-79b66ee002048bc86251d10bbdbf335f","parentId",5067492,"title","Votes at a glance: Stratford BOE actions on contracts, curriculum, capital plan and trips","audioSeconds",2194,"startMs",2422000,"endMs",4616000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067492-79b66ee002048bc86251d10bbdbf335f&start=2422&end=4616","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067492-79b66ee002048bc86251d10bbdbf335f/thumbnail_2422000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6553317/Connecticut/Votes-at-a-glance-Stratford-BOE-actions-on-contracts-curriculum-capital-plan-and-trips","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553317-34f84bf086cc5db661f7f471c8aaa31f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771080094&Signature=UVu9AT5vJicWQvJynooW6JQ1InI25-H5bX~TmOznAEU46118jATiqXhurp4~fNI5rhMK-LQL9qqurrCLaOKtU9ZrBfian3yQbwx-l~NFzgeQChe~3miweYnnmqh54ejs7Iw8oQxxqltG0KAA5S0wVl5wTLjEbyrKyJSspNek~P-TTx5VuHHAqdKSvtEjFyeF24bqwWKzZtwkPT2kK0XbXg1LvQ3Bq4og3QSTYNrw44l8kElWevBhRYRBFRNb9jEwsFIHG0cE1MBou9kNlKaddaLr0N8alSHb2mEHn~lXbC5ayPZMVhiSx60ZrmC8wZOMh38~Zh2sN8gtDsl160-1hQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Stratford School District","date","2025-06-24T12:55:57Z","article","The Stratford Board of Education took a number of formal actions on June 24. Key outcomes below are drawn from the meeting’s recorded roll calls and motions.

- Collective Bargaining Agreement (custodians): Approved by roll call (unanimous among members present). See separate article for details.

- Carryover allocation: Board approved up to $500,000 from FY24 carryover to address FY25 operating deficit (moved by Miss McDowell; seconded by Mister Kennedy). Motion passed unanimously.

- Electronic-devices policy (P5131.81A): Adopted on second read; motion passed by roll call (unanimous among members present). Implementation planning and tower procurement to occur over the summer.

- Content literacy course for Worcester Middle School (grade 7): Board approved a full-year course for students below the 50th percentile of reading to provide additional reading support; curriculum writing to occur over summer.

- Overnight field trip: Stratford High School cheerleading overnight trip was approved unanimously; required releases and documentation were on file.

- Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) 2025–2029: The board approved the plan after revisions and discussion; vote passed 6–1. The plan includes district requests and town-added items; a $7,108,808.74 combined figure was discussed during deliberations (district and town components).

- Minutes and personnel actions: The board approved the minutes of the June 3 special meeting and accepted personnel resignations/assignments; both motions passed unanimously.

- Transportation bylaws: Discussion held; motion to table the transport bylaws carried unanimously to allow further review.

Full roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript for each vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 2025 - Stratford Board of Education - Monthly Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its June 24 meeting the Stratford Board of Education approved a custodians contract, carried over funds allocation, a cell-phone policy, a new grade‑7 content-literacy course at Worcester, an overnight cheerleading trip, personnel actions and the capital improvement plan (6–1). Several other routine items were approved or tabled.","taxTitle","Stratford School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",64392,"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},6553321,"Resident urges reinstatement of high-school librarian; board allocates up to $500,000 from carryover to cover FY25 shortfall",2096,370000,2466000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067492-79b66ee002048bc86251d10bbdbf335f&start=370&end=2466","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067492-79b66ee002048bc86251d10bbdbf335f/thumbnail_370000.jpg","/articles/6553321/Connecticut/Resident-urges-reinstatement-of-high-school-librarian-board-allocates-up-to-500000-from-carryover-to-cover-FY25-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553321-d17c3fb761000896b60e4b35906070da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771080094&Signature=B3xxz1H9tzQYPVS1rpjLY9Kn9n5PhnKsDhBY6CkyjdvnmKGUmOw~T4oyR~y5wAjDBBn5ZHEGxHcpnPKYafX-WlIrp6pGJQC49AOs3PooxL3Y7C-wWzIFhKplxtaW-mZFgvRp3KkjilnfcfOQwhKiwS-gCnApSKT9BtzVW4xUz1r8Bg34O9-dRZpdXPDLVUZDP2Wr0YtAZK1OwCEnfgbPbLtJ00b-UnSnK5g095TKVw-canWoR96iZ-Cai-gsQAqsbupttik4LcgqfTU3WA-07WHViklFbzVCpNwhAtvbq56EOdmnnWWgf7AmNFERRrm9SnKxtqL~IaBCk01xPTYbuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of the Stratford Board of Education meeting on June 24, a resident asked the board to use available carryover funds to reinstate the Stratford High School librarian.

The speaker, who identified herself as Talia and said she lives at 100 Berner Terrace, told the board two Stratford High juniors had described the loss of the school's librarian as a significant setback and urged the board to consider restoring the position if unallocated carryover funds are available. She said she did not know whether remaining carryover funds were already committed and asked the board to consider a one-year reinstatement funded from surplus to give the district time to plan longer-term funding.

Later on the agenda the board considered a finance-committee-backed motion to use up to $500,000 from the fiscal-year 2024 carryover balance — from an available pool the administration estimated at roughly $680,000 — to address any operating deficit for FY25. The motion, moved by Miss McDowell and seconded by Mr. Kennedy, passed unanimously. The motion states that any remaining carryover balance will stay unallocated until the board decides on further action.

During the discussion, Finance Committee representative Miss Mangini said the district expects approximately $680,000 in available carryover, reduced from an originally anticipated $1 million because some funds were used to cover earlier reading programs and extended grants. Board members framed the allocation as a responsible use of prior-year surplus to mitigate an unexpected shortfall while leaving funds available for future decisions.

The resident's request to specifically restore the librarian was discussed in public comment; board action approved a broader allocation to cover the operating deficit, not a designated hire. Board members and administration said any targeted staffing restorations would need to be evaluated against the district’s budget and contractual obligations.","A Stratford resident urged the board to use carryover surplus to restore a high-school librarian. The board approved using up to $500,000 from a FY24 carryover balance to cover projected FY25 operating deficits, leaving remaining funds unallocated pending future board action.",{"_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},6553328,"Board adopts cell-phone policy; district to roll out towers, communications this summer",695,2831000,3526000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067492-79b66ee002048bc86251d10bbdbf335f&start=2831&end=3526","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067492-79b66ee002048bc86251d10bbdbf335f/thumbnail_2831000.jpg","/articles/6553328/Connecticut/Board-adopts-cell-phone-policy-district-to-roll-out-towers-communications-this-summer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553328-78b8a4e2a3e875147007956799923a86/orig.mp4?Expires=1771080094&Signature=MCdWyL5AT21WmOTFBjTqJ6TTTL54~UUXMAEfqfO1ffL~SbLtjAgSgVDzVTEHcRj1lCN6J0hCqWrqZGCNVUrZOjGZgF6PBS2QGCE~z9s12TIA5xj60U61w4jPOh0DjLWSWRAoGDcR8AsSqw3rnLF-uxKa0jWk1w5N~tdix~GPVpQTLzHLzovL~MYEQRA4aWQ7FygMHqspqpgcyzqa8Fipz2iY--MrmHJvbwdvcvOUT2oSKguW7oa0qd1VdCfvxSs7THXjU6QZFterG34TSk01sfzi3r~mQeVnY-HGBtTew1SevkkdOMcySpjb0ymF01pgy3GT59IF9pwM7rYfY3UA1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stratford Board of Education voted to adopt an electronic-devices policy (policy number presented as P5131.81A) at its June 24 meeting, setting new rules for student cell-phone use and a summer implementation schedule.

Under the new policy, high-school students will be required to place phones in wall-mounted storage towers at the start of class; the towers reviewed at the meeting hold about 36 devices each. K–8 students will remain subject to a phone-free standard during the school day, including cafeteria and hallways. The policy allows teachers to request a short-term waiver for instructional uses (for example, using a phone to tune instruments) if approved by a building principal.

District staff told the board the towers chosen are cost-efficient and removable in case of emergency. The cost for the first set of towers and rollout was described as roughly $10,000; funding sources cited during the meeting included district budget lines identified by administration. Staff said a summer implementation period is planned to allow principals time to train staff, notify families, and establish pick-up procedures for confiscated phones.

Officials described a communication campaign that will include short videos or podcasts — one district official said production options include an AI-generated explanation — plus more in-depth guidance for principals. District administrators said enforcement will use progressive discipline and building-level parent outreach when necessary.

Board members asked about discipline, parent buy-in and how the towers would be managed. Administrators said the policy would not be implemented until the summer preparations are complete, and that principals and building-level administrators will handle operational details.","The Stratford Board of Education adopted a new electronic-devices policy requiring high-school students to store phones during class and retaining a K–8 phone-free environment. The district plans summer training, parent communication and a pilot install of wall-mounted storage towers.",{"_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},6553332,"Board approves four-year custodians contract with phased wage increases",408,569000,977000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067492-79b66ee002048bc86251d10bbdbf335f&start=569&end=977","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067492-79b66ee002048bc86251d10bbdbf335f/thumbnail_569000.jpg","/articles/6553332/Connecticut/Board-approves-four-year-custodians-contract-with-phased-wage-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553332-336d1ab408cf9e40090dea974c3c2122/orig.mp4?Expires=1771080094&Signature=SMCLP4uEe8B1Zm2jXidr6j1JjerB2ydydQPFhdq52zEODY9nbIC3pr4s~O0OgIwH3Zi-mKlZxpSGmi~6D9tB0nrjEFKg1hBYTfc9wcmXP6k1TjOuLJ-0sbxHbp-LUrsHq34~HdCMHF09y-Wx5~2tm7A~LQXp9uF3eoqy~QTnGdtdAcvalemQtmm38L-QNbatNTrA7xG3A2o88vEjuwxhwzpbUy4IWs6qLEokajavQtZBumnqu9-sA-EZR287aZg95vq1qrS56d5pDD-RlUr9nwTomSPJKhYUkvKDzXlW2A8m-ungT-fgSUMhaf4shYK5hpWtCitHgZgNu6ootgL-EQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stratford Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a four-year collective bargaining agreement with the custodians association, the board’s attorney reported at the June 24 meeting.

The contract, described to the board by legal counsel, phases wage increases at 2.5% on July 1, 2025, 2.5% in 2026, 2.5% in 2027 and 3% in the final year. The agreement also raises employee life insurance from $35,000 to $45,000, increases the cap for sick-leave accrual from 135 to 150 days, and allows up to five sick days per year to be used for family illness (up from three).

The attorney also told the board the agreement includes a modest increase in employee cost-share for benefits that would bring the district contribution for the 2027–28 year to just under 20% for the group. Counsel described a ‘‘super-seniority’’ provision that protects certain union officers from layoffs to preserve union continuity. The agreement also provides district-issued cell phones limited to certain drivers to support communication for special-education pickups.

Board members asked a few clarifying questions about previous increase levels and the phone plan. No amendment was offered; the superintendent and counsel indicated the district budget has the funds to cover the first year. The board approved the contract by roll-call vote.

Implementation details such as final administrative steps and phone distribution were discussed briefly by staff and will be handled by the transportation and human-resources offices as outlined by counsel.","The Stratford Board of Education unanimously approved a four-year collective bargaining agreement with the custodians association that stages modest annual wage increases, expands some benefits and adds district-provided phones for certain drivers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Stratford BOE actions on contracts, curriculum, capital plan and trips

Resident urges reinstatement of high-school librarian; board allocates up to $500,000 from carryover to cover FY25 shortfall

Board adopts cell-phone policy; district to roll out towers, communications this summer

Board approves four-year custodians contract with phased wage increases