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Sterling Board approves administrator contracts, welcomes new teachers and reviews year‑end finances
Summary
The Sterling Board of Education unanimously approved employment contracts for district administrators, welcomed three new classroom hires and reviewed year‑end budget figures — including a $777,732 balance in a 2% non‑lapsing account and about $145,631.52 in open purchase orders — at its June 17 meeting.
The Sterling Board of Education voted unanimously on June 17 to approve a slate of employment contracts for district administrators and to accept new classroom hires, while also receiving a year‑end budget briefing from district leaders.
Board Chair Courtney Langlois called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and, during the meeting’s consent agenda, Superintendent Theodore Friend reported on special‑education out‑placement costs to ensure compliance with district requirements.
The board approved contracts for Theodore Friend (Superintendent), Heather Nickerson (Principal), Laura Smith (Clinical Supervisor/Social Worker), Dr. Kristen Lanzillo (Director of Special Services/School Psychologist), Sara Howley (Business Manager), and Christine Chandler (Executive Assistant/HR/BOE Clerk), along with shared‑services agreements for IT positions Cory Luba and Casey Brown and for Transportation Director Kim Gunn. The motion to approve the contracts was made by Catherine Malo and seconded by Benjamin Johnston; the board recorded the outcome as “All in favor.”
Principal Heather Nickerson introduced three new hires the board welcomed: Faith Smith will join kindergarten, Colby Menard will teach 7th/8th‑grade social studies, and Grace Gronski will teach first grade. These personnel additions were included in the meeting’s personnel reporting and consent items.
On finance, Superintendent Friend presented the Budget and Expense Report on behalf of Business Manager Sara Howley. Key figures included a 2% non‑lapsing account current balance of $777,732 and a projected remaining FY 2025–26 budget balance of about $130,000. District staff said all grants are drawn down and ready for year‑end reporting, budget line transfers will be presented at the board’s August meeting, and the town will schedule a meeting with new auditors in July to set expectations for the first audit meeting. The report also listed roughly $145,631.52 in open purchase orders, mostly for monthly outplacement tuition and utility bills. Catherine Malo moved to approve the Budget and Expense Report; John Brady seconded and the motion passed with the board’s unanimous support.
Board member Benjamin Johnston asked about the status of the district’s bus‑tracking system. Administration explained the system had been initially funded by a grant that has since ended, that renewal costs were high, and that spotty cellular/service coverage in parts of town produced inaccurate tracking data that made the system unreliable for parent notifications.
Later in the meeting the board voted to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters and the superintendent’s evaluation; the motion (moved by Catherine Malo and seconded by John Brady) passed. Superintendent Friend was in attendance for the executive session, which began at 6:18 p.m. and concluded at 6:40 p.m. The board adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
The board also noted a Plainfield graduation held June 12 that Langlois attended; she said there were 125 graduates. Budget line transfers and auditor meetings were identified as next‑step items for upcoming meetings.
