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West Hartford Board hears opening‑of‑school briefing; reports 9,339 preliminary K–12 enrollment and new bus safety features
Summary
At its Sept. 4 meeting the West Hartford Board of Education received opening‑of‑school reports: preliminary K–12 enrollment of 9,339, Extended School Year served 348 students in 32 classes, the district will switch to School Messenger saving about $10,000 annually, and a new First Student transportation contract adds digital monitoring and a rear 'child check' system.
The West Hartford Board of Education met Sept. 4 and received its annual opening‑of‑school briefing, during which Superintendent Tom Moore reported district highlights and staff leaders summarized summer programming, staffing and facilities updates.
Superintendent Tom Moore told the board that Convocation marked the start of the 2018–19 school year and highlighted Conard High School junior Sam Rothfarb as a Breakthrough Junior Challenge finalist for a STEM video on the flu vaccine, which has advanced to national voting.
The board heard detailed summer‑program reports from district staff. Dr. Roszena Haskins, director of continuing education, said summer offerings held at Conard High School included the West Hartford Interdistrict Summer High School, the MakerSpace “Maker it So” program, the Intercambio Spanish exchange, adult enrichment and credit‑recovery courses, plus a Summer Jazz Jam. Haskins also described the Summer Pre‑Grade One program at Whiting Lane.
Dr. Gretchen Nelson, director of pupil services, reported the Extended School Year (ESY) program offered 32 classes and served 348 students this summer; she thanked program leads Mike Davis and Susan Holt and noted the district maintained accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Nelson also announced the hiring of Melissa Cook as a new pupil‑services department supervisor.
Assistant Superintendent Paul Vicinus briefed the board on academic summer offerings — including Summer Connections, Summer ESOL, Project SPARK, AP Boot Camp, Intercambio and Chinese programs — and outlined professional development work over the summer, such as AP teacher training and new teacher orientation.
Dr. Andrew Morrow, assistant superintendent, described facilities, information technology and transportation updates. The district implemented Accela Ecollect for PowerSchool and adopted School Messenger to replace Blackboard Connect; he said that change will save the district about $10,000 per year. Morrow also reported a new contract with First Student Transportation that will provide new buses equipped with digital audio/visual monitoring and a rear “child check” switch requiring drivers to walk to the back of the bus to engage a switch confirming the bus has been checked for students.
On staffing and human resources, Mr. Rick Ledwith summarized recruitment results for 2018–19, retirements and resignations, newly contracted teachers and administrators, and provided an update on the teachers’ contract negotiation timeline.
Mr. Chip Ward, director of finance, reported preliminary first‑day K–12 enrollment at 9,339 students, 61 fewer than last year and 28 fewer than projected. He noted the figure is preliminary and the official October 1 enrollment report will be presented at the October board meeting.
Votes at a glance: Ms. Polun moved and Mrs. Blanks seconded approval of the June 5, 2018 regular meeting minutes; the motion passed. Mr. Zydanowicz moved and Mrs. Blanks seconded approval of the June 18, 2018 special meeting minutes; the motion passed. Ms. Polun moved and Mrs. Blanks seconded the motion to adjourn at 9:00 p.m.; the motion passed.
Student representatives Gus Bacon (Conard) and Megan Striff‑Cave (Hall) reported on LinkCrew orientation, fall sports and clubs; board members offered brief school reports. Chair Dr. Cheryl Greenberg announced upcoming regular meetings on Oct. 2 and Oct. 16, 2018. The board adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
