[{"_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",6167295,"mediaKeyId","5411768-aeaf497c72f8e5cf580aa626de009028","parentId",5411768,"title","Norwalk schools warn federal grant impoundment could cut programs, risk up to 15 staff positions","audioSeconds",1666,"startMs",2213000,"endMs",3879000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411768-aeaf497c72f8e5cf580aa626de009028&start=2213&end=3879","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411768-aeaf497c72f8e5cf580aa626de009028/thumbnail_2213000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6167295/Connecticut/Norwalk-schools-warn-federal-grant-impoundment-could-cut-programs-risk-up-to-15-staff-positions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167295-d937915a79785c279ff9714ec752c674/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924303&Signature=oJ2rtb9U1ZwTwS23K0pE~GIlCnJU6PGXyr8sxKS5cX6UryTd~kM3FN6uFQT0Y9YaAodAVF1iicBY2B7tl2G1z2h5BVdXF1E3iGO~QON1G57ba1KjHHH275qIOTLdwulOd35jUqwyChQF~2E8Ldfisg5dqwOFoa3vM1oxiDELQgRwC1Ipx1ChE39G2IvWqn1sUahEwKAErvnFJ8Ybt0wk8U3uhFzKyeG5FtmgC4UZ~riOIcLUmD9w4gRtQh2IZf-TYDr3aFfbzAEfdiVWOM6xUPOhOX2c9fbXm0p8GHp78knSspoosW0vAv1RPVwPNLnwsfQCUCD958E3-J0dJnnqRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwalk School District","date","2025-07-15T22:32:22Z","article","Norwalk Public Schools officials warned the Board of Education on July 15 that a presidential impoundment of federally approved education funds could withhold roughly $1 million in grants the district expects for the coming school year, jeopardizing programs and putting an estimated 15 federally funded staff positions at risk.

The district’s superintendent, Dr. Alexandra Estrella, and grant staff said the impoundment — actions by the president to delay or withhold money approved by Congress — affects multiple federal programs the district relies on. “Every time funds are not released to us, it does mean fewer resources in this district for schools,” presenter Asmani said during the meeting.

Why it matters: District leaders said the impoundment could affect Title II-A (teacher and curriculum supports), Title III-A (multilingual learner supports), Title IV (well‑rounded education and after‑school programming), and 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding used for before‑ and after‑school services run locally by the Calver Foundation. Norwalk staff reported a preliminary local impact of about $1,000,000, roughly 3.2% of the district’s federal grants, and noted statewide impoundment estimates of about $46.8 million for Connecticut. The presenters said the total national impoundment figures range from $6.2 billion to $7.0 billion, depending on the accounting method.

District staff described program and personnel exposure in two groups: roughly seven staff funded by the confirmed impounded grants (Title II, Title III and Title IV) and nine positions funded under the Magnet School Assistance Program (MSAP) tied to Title IV timelines — a combined possible total of about 15 FTEs. Jay Gerlach, director of grants, said MSAP funding supports magnet programming at three schools and is on an October–September federal fiscal year, so its timeline differs from state grants.

Timing and next steps: Presenters said the president’s notice to Congress triggered a roughly 45‑day window for congressional action; staff named August 14 as the critical date in that timeline. Asmani and other presenters told the board they will monitor developments and work with city officials and the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) to identify stopgap measures if necessary. “There’s a chance that we may not lose all of it. We may lose some, we may lose none,” Asmani said, adding that worst‑case would be a total loss of the impounded amounts.

Local partnerships and ripple effects: The district emphasized that some services are provided through partners: the Calver Foundation’s before‑and‑after‑school programming is funded entirely by federal 21st Century dollars and serves students districtwide. District leaders said prior shortfalls required coordination with the city to preserve services, and that a new impoundment would again force such conversations.

Board response and public advocacy: Board members asked practical and advocacy questions, including whether constituents should contact members of Congress. Presenters recommended contacting congressional offices and noted that calls — even from outside a lawmaker’s district — are logged and can influence deliberations. Several board members urged outreach to Connecticut’s congressional delegation and to constituents in other states where members may be less supportive of releasing the funds.

What’s not decided: No formal action was taken; the discussion was informational and aimed at preparing the board for possible budget adjustments, personnel actions governed by union rules (including potential reductions in force if funding is lost), and further board briefings or an executive session if legal strategy or negotiations require confidentiality.

The district said it would return with updated figures and recommendations after the August congressional deadline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOARD SPECIAL MEETING","oneSentenceSummary","Norwalk Public Schools officials told the Board of Education on July 15 that a presidential impoundment of federally approved education funds could withhold roughly $1 million in grants from the district and put roughly 15 federally funded staff positions at risk.","taxTitle","Norwalk School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",13003,"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},6167277,"Board delegates chair to amend superintendent contract; Howard White votes no",357,1289000,1646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411768-aeaf497c72f8e5cf580aa626de009028&start=1289&end=1646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411768-aeaf497c72f8e5cf580aa626de009028/thumbnail_1289000.jpg","/articles/6167277/Connecticut/Board-delegates-chair-to-amend-superintendent-contract-Howard-White-votes-no","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167277-2a81f7268c4b773b06e5b6ab183faf5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924303&Signature=NHkEzzdrM-C5rGy-P71eHkkQQx12StUaH-IY4YIZhgszKOtJ6kmJjuUhmizllTJY-nYx3EyV45pKJ~jO1pKDmWGV6dNcNQGQpLmk5JthBIcPvIPU6W730QP55sFuZ4hNB0LGMZY3MhDREey~9WS~VwO4sTzAl9tYTWLhR3rHQ9T-kU89KXsuoMQh6jdhhIymyo2DdVxQFuiLBTFvmMBfh-KRsJNbMGpriEXPyufR7f-xsfCxn~7y~Vv9-YF8oCRq699oEfaotNmgfQHjbYAxGLxN9ENLQU1bp0t8Kj3fCscwzFt6fyZbIPcEPlnMbuK4c~9ot3mF~WwpiYEddD5Cyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwalk Board of Education on July 15 voted to delegate authority to the board chair to amend the superintendent’s contract so that required contract action (a review/extension) is postponed to a later date, to be completed in September. The motion carried with one no vote from board member Howard White.

Background and reason: District counsel and board staff said the contract required board action by July 1 because negotiations had begun; members said the superintendent did not want the extension to be finalized before the board’s scheduled evaluation and review, which the board planned to hold during a retreat in September after a canceled June meeting. Board members and legal staff described the delegation as a standard procedural mechanism that allows one representative (the chair) to sign on the board’s behalf after necessary closed‑door review or evaluation.

Board discussion and vote: Some board members asked what specific amendments would be made; district staff said they could not discuss details that were under negotiation. Board member Sherry McCready Pritchard said she supported the delegation to assure compliance with the contract’s timing requirements. The motion to delegate the board chair authority was moved by Sherry McCready Pritchard and seconded by Cara Bakey; the vote passed with one no from Howard White.

What was decided and what was not: The board delegated signing authority to the chair but did not extend the superintendent’s contract. District staff said the chair’s delegated authority would be used only to effect the timing amendment and that any substantive extension would follow the board’s review process in September.

No additional action was taken at the July 15 meeting beyond the delegation vote.","The Board of Education voted July 15 to delegate authority to the board chair to execute an amendment to the superintendent’s contract to move the timing of contract action to September; Howard White cast the lone no vote.",{"_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},6167282,"Board authorizes superintendent to sign on to insulin‑pricing litigation with city",146,1671000,1817000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411768-aeaf497c72f8e5cf580aa626de009028&start=1671&end=1817","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411768-aeaf497c72f8e5cf580aa626de009028/thumbnail_1671000.jpg","/articles/6167282/Connecticut/Board-authorizes-superintendent-to-sign-on-to-insulinpricing-litigation-with-city","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167282-3d935103cc1dbf34f683c30763fc34dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924303&Signature=c349cvDXOnPqvLH-QA2FmU2kwBJSBEHflY7jiyk7aClEbmuK4b6u4m-FH3wP5uRoeISjfaGVOd3uFpQxb1jom285X~F0~43oLELIwHTNqKAKaj4YrfVqebNnAFbwqrvQgJpQnLzaeZHrnuh8oP~aAS-Bl4gct3Z3fEeTKc4aqY~P9BSdK1Lq4jnC0FofjV7LYaHCeRu3Ozlb3DkbHu1QWeZQ98tu0XziX3rCB6vwwL9cN0DYNl76aPSHeYhMdI71LPEHvy6AHRnmAmn4bZnuvSu6pKXc9qov60wryUcc1By1Mqwxufx0T7QOPUSEFPGZoSnWMyTgKl~YQCFj8IV4zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwalk Board of Education on July 15 authorized Superintendent Dr. Alexandra Estrella to execute agreements and engagement letters to retain outside counsel and join a class‑action lawsuit alleging inflated insulin pricing by manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers.

District counsel and staff said the suit targets insulin manufacturers (Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi) and pharmacy benefit managers over alleged anti‑competitive or deceptive pricing practices that they say artificially raised insulin costs during a period when the district administered a self‑insured pharmacy benefit. The board heard that the city’s common council approved joining the litigation on June 24 and that the mayor had already signed documents for the city.

No immediate cost to district: Counsel told the board there is no out‑of‑pocket cost to the district to participate; attorneys in the litigation will work on contingency and any recovery would be distributed proportionally to entities and individuals that experienced losses. Counsel said the district and city were potentially eligible because Norwalk was self‑insured with Express Scripts for prescription benefits during the period alleged in the suits; presenters referenced both an alleged overcharge period beginning around 2002 and a timeframe described elsewhere in the presentation as 2004–2017.

Board action and vote: A motion to authorize the superintendent to sign necessary documents was moved by board member Cara Bakey and seconded by Jasmine Presse; the board approved the motion unanimously.

Next steps: District counsel will handle evidentiary work, contract retrieval and legal proceedings; staff said that the attorneys will do most of the substantive courtroom and discovery work and that the district would be informed if an executive session or additional board action is appropriate.

What the board was told not to expect: Presenters said there is no immediate timeline for resolution and that recovery, if any, would take time once firms pursue claims in court. Counsel listed several Connecticut cities and school districts already participating in similar litigation.","Norwalk’s school board on July 15 authorized Superintendent Dr. Alexandra Estrella to execute documents to join a class action alleging inflated insulin pricing; district counsel said there is no cost to join and any recovery would be shared between the city, district and affected employees according to calculated losses.",{"_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},6167287,"Board ratifies tentative agreement with UPSEU custodial, maintenance and security unit",86,1174000,1260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411768-aeaf497c72f8e5cf580aa626de009028&start=1174&end=1260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411768-aeaf497c72f8e5cf580aa626de009028/thumbnail_1174000.jpg","/articles/6167287/Connecticut/Board-ratifies-tentative-agreement-with-UPSEU-custodial-maintenance-and-security-unit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167287-c08cd633b7e26708dff0d929d479179f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924303&Signature=WHOu0EBW6U5wKn-9G0IEOzsGzESua4GkzxNCA2Lre40emTHlVv-5R9dQgOw7ew-IcPimNWpaWI999hG36ea4yjQ77lQWCPE0TRAgi1nDnYtnJueIfftkVx~s-LNMtgS4kY8G7lXd6FEyS8mpiX5qir~Or2o0c15~S9mc6yVPmyB3ykGhQWhXvx1OoueqgQjAjGovAAikpWj26kamNqjKNaVojHLH3hpbKD9e5KfVsqQx-mrngCHEba6qoEK3EGYALF82LkkNzKzeFhnUa5ubXQtpvVpKshb~ItWh6pMsy0QzXwDQPwRou1MXIoxN-NM3RSvsCbDrfXnf6oYAn-ONbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwalk Board of Education on July 15 unanimously ratified a tentative agreement with the UPSEU bargaining unit that covers custodians, maintenance and security staff.

District negotiators described the agreement as the product of a “productive and collaborative conversation” with the union. The tentative contract provides an average annual salary increase of about 2.7%–3.0% and an insurance increase of roughly 0.5% every other year, according to district presentation. The bargaining unit asked that Juneteenth and Eid be added as contract holidays; the district recommended adding those days to the unit’s new contract.

Motion and vote: Board member Ashley Goulias moved the ratification; Jasmine Presse seconded the motion. The board voted in favor with no recorded dissents.

What’s next: The ratification takes effect July 1, 2025, per the agenda item; district staff said there were no additional fiscal details beyond the percentage and insurance adjustments provided to the board at the meeting.

No further action was taken on the item at the July 15 special meeting.","The Norwalk Board of Education unanimously ratified a tentative agreement on July 15 with the UPSEU bargaining unit representing custodians, maintenance and security staff, approving an average annual salary increase of about 2.7–3% and other contract adjustments including added holidays.",{"_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},6167292,"Board appoints Jonathan Kinney as school preparedness and safety supervisor",1039,112000,1151000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5411768-aeaf497c72f8e5cf580aa626de009028&start=112&end=1151","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5411768-aeaf497c72f8e5cf580aa626de009028/thumbnail_112000.jpg","/articles/6167292/Connecticut/Board-appoints-Jonathan-Kinney-as-school-preparedness-and-safety-supervisor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167292-8ef518e926bc79ba14f1ca1c81ccfe86/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924303&Signature=B8CB8wv4ozSFm-XUHVBY4lUDmP4EOLoIPdxbKfY1Tp1IBCn2TRxOvhw7dmR23ntkv~YtU-p3MxZtTsepNiAk1rGkbcIPUeYf181EEgzZt8~SzmasFpmsxTKo-I0wzy8hFoI5Pejc6x94LK9~lfH39tnMbZyGNY5wIW815NrdGfZnpnNWkWxsZ0UdOmJg9udxTIy6m1DuPQ379x7cEi70Z5H62BFgZCKDbzBrP6wCMNtE-nM-QMQSdavLOcFSwLzl9CgiWy25kQumWQcIXUOYwLgwVgMjY3z0CRGbEX3eY0JKKoI~2jmfL88yn36Svd2I17MobvxyrWPQ9GVSTVvTyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwalk Board of Education voted July 15 to appoint Jonathan Kinney to the position of School Preparedness and Safety Supervisor, a central office role the board said will provide districtwide safety support and student‑facing services.

Why it matters: Superintendent Dr. Alexandra Estrella and district safety lead Sandra Fayouis told the board the second safety supervisor was added after the board pushed for more coverage and to ensure continuity when the primary safety lead is unavailable. Fayouis said the position is funded through the Alliance priority schools grant and was already included in the approved budget reconciliation for the coming year.

Kinney has served as Jefferson safety coordinator since 2022 and as a member of the district reunification and safety teams. \"What safety is all about is dealing with the people that are in the building,\" Kinney said in brief remarks to the board, adding that he has focused on relationships with families and school communities.

Board discussion and vote: Board members asked whether the position was budgeted and whether it was grant‑funded; district staff confirmed it was included in the adopted budget and tied to the Alliance priority schools grant. Staff also told the board that a separate student‑facing position (Angela King) had been cut during recent central‑office reductions and that Jonathan’s promotion absorbed some duties previously handled by that role.

Motion and tally: The motion to appoint Kinney was made by board member Cara Bakey and seconded by Sherry McCready Pritchard; the board recorded unanimity of affirmative responses except for a recorded no vote from Howard White. The board chair announced the motion carried.

What’s next: District staff said the central office supervisor will spend most of his time in school buildings supporting administrators and students, with an estimated 75% of time student‑facing, 15% adult‑facing at schools, and remaining time on capital and safety infrastructure work.

No other action was taken on the item.","The Norwalk Board of Education voted July 15 to appoint Jonathan Kinney to the newly added School Preparedness and Safety Supervisor position, funded by an Alliance priority schools grant; the motion passed with one no vote from board member Howard White.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Norwalk schools warn federal grant impoundment could cut programs, risk up to 15 staff positions

Board delegates chair to amend superintendent contract; Howard White votes no

Board authorizes superintendent to sign on to insulin‑pricing litigation with city

Board ratifies tentative agreement with UPSEU custodial, maintenance and security unit

Board appoints Jonathan Kinney as school preparedness and safety supervisor