Superintendent reports 1,637 school-climate surveys, budget pressures and curriculum updates

Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley told the North Canaan Board on Feb. 11, 2025 that the district collected 1,637 School Climate Survey responses in January and that the FFA Club donated $4,038 to four local nonprofits, including three food banks and the Jane Lloyd Foundation.

Brady-Shanley said Region One staff are developing preliminary budget figures and identified several key budget drivers: a 10.5% increase in insurance premiums, contractual staffing wage increases and rising electricity costs. She said staff will continue to refine the numbers to produce a fiscally responsible budget.

The superintendent also reported that changes in federal immigration guidance affected school policy: an Executive Order issued Jan. 21 removed a prior "protected spaces" designation for schools, prompting the district to provide staff with a protocol outlining procedures should immigration agents enter a school setting.

In administrative updates, Principal Beth Johnson presented a mid-year progress monitoring slide presentation on assessment results and the School Improvement Plan, describing goals and strategies for academic excellence, educational equity, communication and climate. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jeanine Rose reported that families can access a revamped curriculum section on the Region One website, that K–8 ELA/Humanities, reading and math materials are available, that Character Strong has begun and that OpenSciEd science materials are in place and being entered into the district’s curriculum platform (Rubicon Atlas) to support alignment across schools.

There was no public comment recorded during the meeting. Region One staff will continue to refine budget figures and staff will implement the revised procedures related to immigration-agent visits as described in the superintendent’s protocol.