Board approves meeting schedule and multiple policies; calendar delayed to Feb. 3

The New Hartford Public Schools Board of Education on Jan. 15 approved a series of routine motions and multiple policy changes and tabled the proposed 2026–27 school calendar for further consideration.

Motions recorded in the meeting (all recorded as unanimous unless noted) included approval of the Board of Education meeting schedule for August 2026–June 2028 (motion by Penny Miller; second by Jon Puz) and cancellation of the April 7, 2026 regular meeting (motion by Penny Miller; second by Jon Puz). The board approved minutes from Nov. 11, Nov. 25, Dec. 15 and Dec. 17, 2025 (motion by Thomas Buzzi; second by Penny Miller) and approved the expenditure report (motion by Timothy Russell; second by Erik Perotti). Superintendent Sousa reported the non-lapsing fund balance is $217,452 and said the $28,500 contracted payment to SPA will come from that fund.

On old business the board approved on second reading several policy items: Policy 5151 (Students — Child Identification Gifted and Talented), Policy 6172.1 (Instruction — Gifted and Talented Students Program), Policy 5131.111 (Students — Video Surveillance Cameras in Schools), Policy 6161.3 (Instruction — Comparability of Services) and Policy 3323 (Business/Non-Instructional Operations — Soliciting Prices/Bidding Requirements). Each policy motion was moved by Thomas Buzzi and seconded (most often by Jon Puz or Penny Miller) and recorded as passing unanimously.

Penny Miller moved to table the proposed 2026–27 school calendar until the Feb. 3, 2026 Board of Education meeting; the motion was seconded by Timothy Russell and passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:06 p.m.