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North Canaan Board approves $5.02 million budget, personnel contracts and routine policies
Summary
At its March 10 meeting the North Canaan Board of Education approved a $5,024,386.09 elementary-school budget for 2026–27 (a 5.18% increase), ratified principal and assistant-principal contracts beginning July 1, set the 8th-grade promotion date and adopted routine policies; the board also approved a Juneteenth half-day schedule.
The North Canaan Board of Education on March 10 approved a slate of routine and fiscal items, including the North Canaan Elementary School 2026–27 budget, personnel contracts for the coming school year, and several policy updates.
Board Chair Amy Dodge led the motions to adopt the budget, authorize personnel contracts and approve the listed policies. The board approved the elementary-school budget for 2026–27 in the amount of $5,024,386.09, an increase of 5.18% from the prior year; the motion carried on a recorded 5‑yes vote. Dodge moved the budget; Stephannie Grant seconded.
Why it matters: the adopted budget sets local spending for the elementary school for the 2026–27 school year and will be the basis for any district or town budget hearing or referendum processes that follow. The board also formalized leadership for the coming year by approving contracts for the principal and assistant principal, ensuring administrative continuity before July 1, 2026.
Votes at a glance • Consent agenda (approval of Feb. 19 and Feb. 26 minutes): motion by Christopher Jacques, seconded by Brooke Riva; recorded as 6 yes votes in the minutes. • Juneteenth and schedule changes (12:10 p.m. dismissals on May 22 and June 5; half-day on June 19 so June 19 remains last day): motion by Amy Dodge, seconded by Stephannie Grant; recorded vote 5 yes, motion passed. • Policies (listed as 5113.13; Work‑Study Student Employment/Work Release and Service Animals): motion by Amy Dodge, seconded by Christopher Jacques; recorded vote 5 yes, motion passed. • 8th‑grade promotion/graduation date (June 15, 6:30 p.m., outside weather permitting): motion by Amy Dodge, seconded by Stephannie Grant; recorded vote 5 yes, motion passed. • North Canaan Elementary School Budget 2026–2027 ($5,024,386.09; +5.18%): motion by Amy Dodge, seconded by Stephannie Grant; recorded vote 5 yes, motion passed. • Approval of Beth Johnson’s contract as principal (beginning July 1, 2026): motion by Amy Dodge, seconded by Stephannie Grant; recorded vote 5 yes, motion passed. • Approval of Allison Curtiss’s contract as assistant principal (beginning July 1, 2026): motion by Amy Dodge, seconded by Stephannie Grant; recorded vote 5 yes, motion passed.
Details and context: Beth Johnson, the school principal, presented the calendar adjustment that led to an approved Juneteenth observance plan after consulting with Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley and Region One principals. The minutes record that the calendar adjustment was proposed to avoid extending the school year to June 22 by instead converting two days to 12:10 p.m. dismissals and scheduling a half-day on June 19 to observe Juneteenth.
All motions listed in the minutes were approved by recorded votes as stated in the meeting record. The board held an executive session on contract negotiations during the meeting; following the session it approved the two personnel contracts that take effect July 1, 2026.
Next steps: The minutes indicate the budget and personnel approvals were finalized by the board vote at this meeting; further public or municipal steps (budget hearings or ratification mechanisms) are not specified in the minutes.
