Putnam Board unanimously votes to expel student for one year under stipulated agreement

The Putnam Board of Education voted unanimously on May 11, 2026 to expel Student A for one calendar year through May 5, 2027 after accepting a stipulated agreement that the board said included an admission of violating Board Policy 5131.7.

Putnam Board of Education member Michael Morrill moved “that the Board of Education find that Student A violated Board Policy 5131.7, as admitted in the stipulated agreement presented to the Board, and that Student A be expelled from school for one calendar year, through May 5, 2027, in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-233d and Board Policy 5131.7.” The motion, which included acceptance of the stipulated agreement and conditions for possible early readmission, was seconded by Jamie Heath and passed unanimously.

The stipulated agreement accepted by the board conditions early readmission on the student’s compliance with the agreement, participation in required tutoring, and the absence of further disciplinary incidents during the expulsion period. The board’s action followed a brief executive session and a presentation of the stipulated agreement; the board invited Superintendent Steven Rioux, Principal Heather Taylor, School Resource Officer Kyle Maheu, the parent of Student A and Student A into the executive session.

The motion to enter executive session was made by Board member Chad Neal at 4:33 p.m., seconded by Jamie Heath, and the record states the executive session ended at 4:41 p.m. The board called the special meeting to order at 4:32 p.m. and adjourned at 4:44 p.m.

The board cited Connecticut General Statutes Sections 1-210(b)(2), (11) and (17) in moving into executive session and Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-233d and Board Policy 5131.7 in making the expulsion determination. The board did not record any dissenting votes; the minutes record the motion as passing unanimously.