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Scotland Board of Education elects Cassidy Martin chair, approves 2026 calendar and financial report
Summary
At its Dec. 2 meeting in Scotland, Conn., the Board of Education elected Cassidy Martin chair, approved Lisa LaBelle as vice‑chair and Clark Stearns as secretary, accepted the financial report and adopted the 2026 meeting calendar. The board also reviewed grants, staffing and enrollment.
Scotland, Conn. — The Scotland Board of Education on Dec. 2 elected Cassidy Martin as board chair and approved a slate of routine business, including the district financial report and its 2026 meeting calendar.
Superintendent Valerie Bruneau called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. and the board unanimously elected Cassidy Martin as chair after a nomination from Clark Stearns. The board also elected Lisa LaBelle as vice‑chair (nominated by Clark Stearns, seconded by Beth Troeger) and approved Clark Stearns as board secretary after a motion from Cassidy Martin; the secretary vote recorded four yes votes and one no vote from Clark Stearns.
The board approved the Nov. 4, 2025 regular meeting minutes with a correction to Item #7B (motion by Beth Troeger, seconded by Clark Stearns), with one abstention by Morgan Conley. Clark Stearns moved to accept the financial report, citing questions about increased substitute teacher salary costs and a Special Education transportation deficit; Beth Troeger seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The board heard that approximately 35% of the fiscal‑year budget has been spent to date.
In other business, the board approved the 2026 meeting calendar (first Tuesday of each month) on a unanimous vote after a motion by Clark Stearns and second by Michael Gile. The board noted a BOE meet‑and‑greet scheduled for Dec. 3 and set the next regular meeting for Jan. 6, 2026; upcoming agenda items include a second reading and vote on the 2000s policy series, consideration of a BOE vacancy and assignment of liaison roles.
On program and operational updates, Bruneau reported that an incoming Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) president from Portland will attend the meet‑and‑greet and that the district’s afterschool grant is active with family events planned. She said the SEED grant expansion will pilot tutors for students who struggled on the SBAC. A facilities Drip grant is expected to be applied toward boiler repair or replacement with staff gathering quotes. Bruneau also noted the district hired two custodians (Lead Custodian Tina and Tammy) and expects roughly 30 people at the meet‑and‑greet, including representatives from neighboring towns and regional partners.
Principal Ann Knowles reported enrollment at 94 students (22 Pre‑K, including out‑of‑town students), outlined planned professional development centered on early literacy and classroom management, and thanked Beth Troeger and a Sunrise Rotary volunteer for donating dictionaries to third‑grade students. Special Education lead Dawn Davis was absent; the special education report was noted as submitted and in compliance.
The meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m. after a motion by Michael Gile, seconded by Morgan Conley. Minutes remain draft until formally approved at a subsequent meeting.
