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New London Board approves 2025–26 district and year‑round calendars over chair’s objection
Summary
The Board of Education approved both the SY2025–26 district and year‑round calendars in 3–1 votes; Board President Elaine Maynard‑Adams voted no, citing opposition to starting the school year before Labor Day and reporting teacher concerns.
The New London Board of Education voted April 7, 2025 to approve the SY2025–26 District Calendar and the SY2025–26 Year‑Round Calendar after debate about start dates and committee development. Both motions passed 3–1, with Board President Elaine Maynard‑Adams registered as the dissenting vote.
Alisha Blake moved to approve the district calendar, seconded by Nathan Caron; the motion carried 3–1 (Maynard‑Adams voting no). Blake asked questions about the development process; Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Hills‑Papetti said the calendar committee included multiple staff members and that invitations were shared via the Superintendent’s Monday Memo and remained open through February. Committee discussions, she said, emphasized making April break universal and scheduling full weeks to support consistent attendance. Ms. Kristea Francolino, Manager of Executive Support Services, added that both student and staff attendance patterns were reviewed and clarified that the Year‑Round calendar was based on the District calendar.
President Maynard‑Adams said she objected to returning before Labor Day and that she received emails from teachers expressing discontent; she announced she would vote against the calendar. The minutes record that the union did not take an official position because staff opinions were split in a survey.
A written public comment appended to the minutes, from Special Education teacher Caitlin Flynn, urged against a staff start date of Aug. 20, 2025 and opposed students beginning a full week before Labor Day, citing childcare complications with neighboring districts, coastal seasonal work impacts and developmental concerns for kindergarten students.
The board likewise approved the proposed Year‑Round calendar (motion by Alisha Blake, seconded by Susan Hambey) by a 3–1 vote with President Maynard‑Adams again recorded as the lone no vote.
The board’s minutes do not record additional conditions attached to the approvals; next steps listed in the minutes are routine implementation and posting of the approved calendars.
