Student representatives, seniors and graduates highlight achievements and voice budget concerns

Student representatives and graduates addressed the Stratford Board of Education during the meeting’s public and student comment segments, praising teachers and describing academic and extracurricular achievements while also raising concerns about budget-driven cuts to support services.

Jenna Bernardo, the student representative from Stratford High School, spoke about the loss of a senior and reflected on graduation. "It is a pleasure to speak with you this evening for the last time," she said, and highlighted student progress on advanced coursework and positive test results in math and science.

Zoe Bernard, another student representative, reported on scholarship awards and academic gains: Stratford High School distributed 222 scholarships totaling "over $300,000," she said, and the district’s evidence-based reading and writing scores improved notably from 454 to 482. She also announced that one senior earned a statewide kindness recognition.

Graduate and Bunnell High School student Scott Ezneric shared his personal journey and urged continued support for special-education and behavioral services. "When I was 2 years old, I was diagnosed with autism," he said, describing the therapy and aides that supported his education and warning that budget cuts had previously reduced access to programs he needed. He said those services made college readiness possible for him.

Board members and district staff praised the students’ leadership and thanked volunteers and teachers for the year’s end events. The student speakers underscored both accomplishments — musicals, arts shows, athletic milestones and academic honor societies — and the human impact of budget choices on individual learners.