New Britain Board schedules Jan. 15 budget forum; superintendent reports modest enrollment uptick and staff recognitions
Summary
The New Britain Board of Education announced a public budget forum for Jan. 15 and heard the superintendent report a small net increase in enrollment driven by early childhood gains, while recognizing staff and student achievements and flagging retirements in hard-to-fill areas.
The New Britain Board of Education on Tuesday announced a community budget forum for 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, at Smalley School Library, and heard a superintendent’s report highlighting student and staff recognitions and a slight overall enrollment increase.
In the superintendent’s remarks, the district shared an "advanced copy of the district dispatch," noted visits by manufacturing, engineering and technology students tied to the Savannah Bananas partnership, and praised Coach Michelle Abraham for being inducted into the Connecticut Dolphins Volleyball Hall of Fame. The superintendent also thanked staff members nominated for superintendent’s challenge points and singled out Miss Turcotte for nominating pre-K students.
The superintendent told the board that the Jan. 15 forum will feature a shortened version of the presentation given to the board and an opportunity for public questions. "We will hold a community public forum about our budget," the superintendent said, inviting staff and community members to attend.
On enrollment, the superintendent reported the district is "trending upwards just slightly," specifying a net change of negative 80 students in regular programs offset by plus 92 students in early childhood programs. The board moved to accept the enrollment report and approved it by voice vote.
Board members also noted several impending retirements and raised staffing concerns. The superintendent pointed out that "there's an overabundance on that list of our harder-to-fill areas among these retirements," underscoring a potential recruitment challenge for the district.
Student involvement and mental-health outreach were also highlighted. The student representative told the board that schools have returned smoothly from break and urged continued emphasis on communication and mental-health supports, saying she hopes to "stay involved and kind of keep reporting back all the good that we've seen in our district."
The superintendent said he had a productive budget discussion with Mayor Sanchez and that the mayor has been communicating with the legislative delegation and other urban mayors about district needs.
The board was reminded that translation and other accommodations will be available at the Jan. 15 forum for parents who need assistance.
The board moved on to other business after the superintendent’s report.
