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District reports: summer program grant shift, new courses, and school events
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rose reported grant support for regional K–8 summer programs will total about $73,241 next year ($61,000 BTCF + $12,250 ARPA), noting this is the final ARPA year and may raise per‑pupil costs to about $334; the Board also approved the 2025–26 NCES calendar and 2025 Board meeting dates.
At the Nov. 13 meeting, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jeanine Rose told the Board the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation will provide $61,000 for the regional K–8 summer school program and that ARPA funds will contribute about $12,250, for a total of roughly $73,241 in grant support for the coming year. Dr. Rose said this is the final year for ARPA funds and that the anticipated reduction in grant support will raise the program’s cost to about $334 per pupil in 2025, assuming participation remains consistent with 2024.
Dr. Rose also described curriculum work: K–8 science teachers are collaborating with Great Mountain Forest staff (including Lisa Carter and Dr. Matt Wlodarczyk) to integrate a weather station, a sugaring shack and geology into the OpenSciEd curriculum, and K–8 world‑language teachers are aligning scope and sequence with the high school to set benchmark proficiency expectations.
Superintendent Melony Brady‑Shanley reported the high school approved three proposed new courses for possible inclusion in 2025–26 — AP Chemistry, Intro to Acting and Intro to Ceramics — and noted an open house held Nov. 4 to present renovation plans to the community. Principal Beth Johnson summarized recent school events including a visit from the North Canaan Volunteer Fire Department, a comprehensive safety drill with shelter‑in‑place and off‑site evacuation practice to Geer Village, a middle‑school dance with DJ Tayo Kauffman, and fall student‑led conferences with roughly 85% participation.
The Board voted 6–yes to approve the 2025 Board meeting dates and the 2025–26 North Canaan Elementary School calendar earlier in the meeting.
