New Britain board votes to tighten school entry immunization rule to match state law
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Summary
The New Britain Board of Education voted to revise its student health policy to align with state law removing the religious exemption; the change allows the board to deny school entry to students not in compliance, effective at the start of the next school year, and follows outreach efforts that reduced noncompliance from about 1,800 to roughly 700 students.
The New Britain Board of Education voted unanimously on Jan. 26 to revise district policy 5001.41.3 so school entry requirements align with recent changes in state law that removed the religious exemption to required immunizations.
Superintendent Doctor Gasper told the board the proposed change would "update the law" in district policy and recommended an effective date at the start of the coming school year so families would have time to comply. The superintendent said the district had reduced the number of noncompliant students from about 1,800 to the 700 range through clinics and outreach, but the board must now decide whether to direct exclusion under the updated policy.
Board members debated whether to begin with a policy change or expand communication and clinic access before exclusion. One board member moved to adopt language making the board responsible for denying entrance to noncompliant students; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
Supporters framed the change as a public‑health measure to protect medically vulnerable students and staff. "It's a public health safety issue," one member said during debate, stressing the role of clinics and community partners in improving compliance. Others urged that the district provide clearer, multilingual administrative procedures so families understand exemption rules and medical‑complexity pathways.
The board directed staff to publicize the change and to implement outreach explaining how families with medical needs or other qualifying conditions should document exemptions under state statute. The superintendent and health staff indicated the district does not plan immediate removal from school; any enforcement would be phased in with the new school year to allow for outreach and additional clinics.
The action closes a months‑long policy review at the policy committee and follows multiple community forums and meetings with the district's state legislative delegation.
What happens next: The board's administrative office will finalize the revised policy language, update procedures and public communications in multiple languages, and the change will take effect at the start of the next school year unless otherwise directed by the board.