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Orange Board of Education previews school-year operations, grant timelines and bus routing
Summary
At its Aug. 19 meeting the Orange Board of Education reviewed back-to-school logistics, warned that several multi-year grants are sunsetting, and said bus routes will be posted Wednesday; the board also discussed a potential state cellphone policy and an increase in student lunch prices.
The Orange Board of Education opened its Aug. 19 meeting with back-to-school updates from Superintendent Dr. Scarpetti, who welcomed staff and families for the 20242025 academic year and outlined new-teacher orientation and convocation plans.
"I'd like to welcome all of you back for the 2024 25 Academic School year," Dr. Scarpetti said, and encouraged board members to attend convocation events and new-teacher orientation.
Why it matters: The superintendent emphasized operational readiness and contract negotiations, and staff described near-term financial deadlines that could affect programs in the coming year. Several federal- and state-funded grants that supported summer programming and staffing are ending or tapering down, which may require the district to absorb costs later.
Key details: Finance staff reported several grant balances and deadlines. Mr. Gray said the ARP ESER3 grant (originally $326,000) has been largely obligated and about $96,000 remains; those funds must be liquidated by January 2025. Other pandemic-era and program grants noted included a $479,000 after-school grant (spent down), a $299,000 summer-enrichment grant (spent down), a $30,000 online-abuse-prevention grant (currently suspended pending state review), and a $152,000 high-dosage tutoring grant for middle-school math (about $74,000 remaining).
Mr. Gray also said the state will continue funding free lunches for students who qualify for reduced-price meals in 20242025, and announced a change to student lunch pricing for all other paid meals: the per-meal price will increase to $3.40 for the 20242025 school year.
Transportation and safety: Operations staff said finalized bus routes will be posted Wednesday on the district website (oess.org) under each school's bus information tab. Families were advised to arrive at stops at least 10 minutes early on the first day because drivers are still learning routes and early dismissals on the first two days will affect schedules. School security camera installations are finishing and school security officers will attend mandated training at the Connecticut Police Academy.
What comes next: District staff said they are beginning the 20252026 budget process and will present facilities and maintenance work in the coming month. The board will monitor grant sunsets and budget implications as those federal and state programs phase out.
Speakers quoted or referenced: Superintendent Dr. Scarpetti; Mr. Gray (finance/operations staff).
Ending: The board moved on to curriculum and committee reports after the update.
