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Norfolk Board of Education approves diversity plan, waives bus-bid process and hears operations update
Summary
The Norfolk Board of Education on Nov. 12 unanimously approved a revised Diversity Plan and waived the formal bidding process for a new bus contract. Superintendent Mary Beth Iacobelli reported the district locked a fuel price at $2.72 per gallon and awaits a boilers decision; Principal Lauren Valentino highlighted Botelle’s School of Distinction honor.
The Norfolk Board of Education met Nov. 12 and unanimously approved a revised Diversity Plan, voted to waive the formal bidding process for a new bus contract, and set its 2025 meeting schedule, the minutes show.
Superintendent Mary Beth Iacobelli told the board the district has locked in a fuel price for the coming year at $2.72 per gallon and said the First Selectman has reported progress on replacing the school boilers; she said a decision on the boilers is expected within a couple of weeks. The district did not provide further budget or vendor details in the minutes.
Principal Lauren Valentino presented the State of the School, summarizing student learning and growth, and informed the board that Botelle has been named the 2023–2024 School of Distinction.
On unfinished business, the board approved the district Diversity Plan with noted edits. Board member Walter Godlewski moved the plan’s approval; Board member J. Whitaker seconded. The motion was recorded as unanimously approved among members present.
In new business, the board voted to waive the bidding requirement for a new bus contract. Board member Janet Byrne moved to waive the bidding process; Board member J. Whitaker seconded. That motion was also recorded as unanimously approved among members present.
The board approved its 2025 meeting dates as the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. The board noted the 2025–2026 draft school calendar and deferred detailed discussion of the calendar to the December meeting. Consideration of a ThoughtExchange survey was tabled until January.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned at 7:27 p.m. The minutes were recorded by recording secretary Kathy Lippincott and are marked “not approved” pending formal adoption at a subsequent meeting.
Votes at a glance: the minutes record unanimous approval, among the four members present, of the Sept. 3 minutes, the Diversity Plan, the waiver of bus-bid procedures, the 2025 meeting schedule and the motion to adjourn. Absent board members recorded in the minutes were John DeShazo, Amy Bennett and Donna Rubin.
