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Stamford staff outline compliance, investigations and a new Welcome Center to centralize family services
Summary
District leaders introduced a new compliance officer role and described a planned Welcome Center to centralize registration, health screenings and family supports; the compliance officer discussed investigations, mandated‑reporting cadence and plans to review staff training schedules.
At the leadership retreat, the district introduced a newly created compliance officer role and described operational steps to centralize family services and strengthen investigations and training.
Chris Soules, the district's compliance officer, summarized responsibilities that include serving as the legal liaison with the city, supervising investigations (both staff and student matters), overseeing mandated‑reporting obligations (including Title IX), supervising safety and security planning and reviewing the cadence and delivery of annual compliance trainings. "Our most important thing is to protect our students and the integrity of our district, but also the due process of the staff member that's involved," Soules said.
Michael Fernandez, who oversees HR and the Office of Family and Community Engagement, described a Welcome Center planned for an identified building (site: Linnan in the presentation). The center is intended to centralize registration, English‑language screening required by state law, and family supports including a school‑based health clinic to provide immunizations and physicals; staff expect to open the facility in January and invite the board to a ribbon cutting. Fernandez said the Welcome Center will centralize registration workflows, help families experiencing homelessness under the McKinney‑Vento Act, and offer workshops, adult‑education links and English and citizenship classes.
Soules also said the cabinet is reviewing training cadence (for example, DCF training that had been delivered annually) and may adjust timing to reduce the early‑year training burden, while preserving legal compliance. The district will survey staff about training platforms and delivery to improve engagement and retention of required knowledge.
The board heard no formal motions about these operational items at the retreat; staff said follow‑up briefs and implementation timelines will be provided to relevant committees.
