Committee to send state‑mandated climate policy and forms to June meetings for approval

The Wallingford School District policy committee reviewed a regulation and associated forms at its May 13 meeting that were developed by CABE and approved by the Connecticut State Board of Education to implement a 2023 Connecticut law requiring all schools to adopt the state climate policy by July 1, 2025.

Mrs. Lator asked that the regulation and forms be placed on the district—s June instructional and full board meeting agendas "so that it is in place per state law by July 1." The packet presented to the committee is unchanged from the CABE model developed under the direction of the legislature and already carries state board approval.

A board member suggested a minor textual correction on page four to change language that reads "the superintendent of schools for each school district" to instead say "the superintendent of schools for the school district," noting Wallingford is a single district and the edit would make the language locally specific. The committee discussed whether a board member should sit on the district climate committee; staff said each school already has a climate specialist and that a district lead oversees the work as part of regular duties. The committee agreed staff would consult central office about adding board representation or providing regular committee reports to keep the full board informed.

Committee members asked about budget implications and stipends for the climate specialist; staff said no new stipend is proposed and existing district staffing covers the role as part of regular responsibilities. The committee scheduled a second read at the instructional meeting and planned to bring the regulation and forms to the full board in June for approval ahead of the July 1, 2025 statutory deadline.

The committee then moved to other business and adjourned at 3:48 p.m.