New Haven Public Schools honors five retiring staff members with decades of service

The New Haven Board of Education held a regular meeting on May 13, 2025, focusing on personnel changes, graduation policy updates, and financial matters. The meeting began with a personnel report highlighting the retirements of five long-serving educators, each with over 30 years of service to the district. Notable retirements included Sharon Arnold, a physical education teacher with 32 years, and Gwendolyn Bright, a math teacher with 41 years. The board expressed gratitude for their contributions, particularly Arnold's role in promoting college aspirations among students through the Snowball event at Fairhaven School.

Following the personnel report, the board moved to approve the graduation policy for New Haven Public Schools. This policy, which had been temporarily approved in previous years, was revised to include the seal of biliteracy on diplomas, reflecting changes at the state level. The board unanimously approved the policy, acknowledging the efforts of the governance committee and staff leaders in its development.

The meeting then transitioned to financial matters, where the finance and operations committee addressed various purchase orders. Specific items were highlighted for separate discussion, including the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with I Ready. The board approved the purchase orders with SHI International, ensuring continued support for educational resources.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to honoring its long-serving staff while also adapting policies to meet current educational standards and needs. The board's decisions reflect a proactive approach to both personnel management and educational policy, setting a positive tone for the upcoming school year.