Public commenters urge board to reconsider custodial demotion and correct student‑aid measurement

During the meeting’s public‑comment period, two members of the public raised personnel and student‑aid concerns.

Bruce Rosenberg, an attorney who said he represents a district custodian identified in the record as Ms. Alvarez, asked the board to reconsider a proposal to change her position from full‑time to part‑time. "She’s the only female custodian here in the district of New Milford," Rosenberg said, arguing the demotion would send the wrong message to students and the community and asking the board to reconsider the proposed personnel change. Rosenberg said his client had received exemplary performance reviews as recently as March and that she had waived the option of a private personnel hearing and asked for the matter to be heard in public.

Karim Wilford raised a separate issue related to state aid or transportation measurement. Wilford said the distance used to determine a student's eligibility was measured to an entrance used only by authorized vehicles and personnel rather than the school's main public entrance. He said that measurement put him at about 1.89 miles from the school but that using the public entrance would place him at roughly 2.0 miles — the threshold for certain state calculations — and he provided a paper measurement and a State Department of Education FAQ to the business office for review.

After public comment closed, the board voted to end the public‑comment period and then moved into executive session for personnel matters. A motion to close public comment was seconded by Nicole and carried on an "Aye" vote; Joe moved and Tony seconded the motion to enter executive session, which also passed by voice vote. The chair stated the board would not take action upon returning from the closed session, per the meeting record.