The Danbury Board of Education Community Relations Committee discussed how to approach the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) consent calendar and proposed changes ahead of the CABE delegate assembly and statewide legislative session. Committee members focused on a resolution about the state technical high school system and on a proposed resolution about digital citizenship and online safety.

“We have a really busy fall … and when a bill comes up … CABE supports or doesn’t support. This is the document that ultimately will dictate whether CABE has a check next to support,” one committee member said, describing the consent calendar’s role in guiding CABE testimony and advocacy. The committee was told the 2025 consent calendar contains 46 resolutions; the group identified a subset to discuss in advance of the November convention.

Members discussed resolution 1.8, which addresses the state technical high school system (17 technical high schools statewide, with Abbott Tech named as a local example). Committee members said Danbury’s career academies — which the district described as forward-looking programs focused on emerging careers such as cybersecurity and advanced health care — should be considered alongside the technical high school system when the state discusses workforce investments. “We’re more nimble to adjust … to prepare students to be able to step into those jobs in two or three years,” one district staff speaker said, arguing career academies serve workforce needs that complement traditional technical programs.

The committee also reviewed a proposed 2026 resolution, numbered 02/2011 in the packet, that would promote digital citizenship and online safety in schools. Kate, a committee member, said the proposal “lacks any teeth” and recommended adding specific, actionable recommendations for districts and parents rather than a broadly worded statement. Government relations staff recommended adoption of the digital-citizenship resolution, but committee members indicated they would like to bring wording suggestions to the CABE delegate assembly.

Committee members and several board members suggested next steps: individual review of the CABE documents, gathering feedback, and a follow-up community relations meeting in about four to five weeks to align the district’s positions before the delegate assembly in Mystic in November. Committee members emphasized the value of sending a delegation to the CABE delegate assembly — where fewer attendees than the total membership typically attend — so Danbury’s voice can be heard on amendments to the consent calendar.

No formal vote was taken on specific CABE resolutions at the meeting. The committee asked staff and interested members to collect suggested language changes and return to the committee for further discussion and potential instruction to delegate attendees at the convention.