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Residents raise e‑bike and field‑light concerns; superintendent outlines C.E.S. school‑configuration study
Summary
Public commenters urged updates on a C.E.S. study of possible school re‑structuring, expressed safety concerns about students riding e‑bikes, and reported complaints about VRHS field lights. Superintendent Brian White said the forthcoming C.E.S. report will inform community discussions and, if supported, could lead to a state‑statute‑guided plan and potential referendum.
Members of the public used the Sept. 4 Region 4 Board meeting’s public comment period to press the board and administration on safety and planning issues.
A Deep River resident identified only as Donna asked for an update on work being done by Chip Dumais of C.E.S., which the board authorized at the June joint BOE meeting. Superintendent Brian White later summarized administration’s summer communications and said the forthcoming C.E.S. report is intended as an informational starting point to help communities understand the current configuration, consider alternatives, and — if there is support from community and town leadership — develop a plan in accordance with state statute that could result in a referendum on adding grade(s) to Region 4.
Several speakers raised safety concerns. Alex Silva, speaking as a Deep River resident, said he is concerned that "students are going to get hurt riding eBikes on streets in our towns." John Stack, speaking as a Chester resident, echoed Silva’s concerns. First Selectperson Carol Jones said the town has received complaints about VRHS field lights staying on too late and that she has been working with the Resident Trooper to educate the public about e‑bike safety.
Board members and members of the public also requested that artificial intelligence (AI) in the curriculum be added to the Joint BOE Curriculum Committee agenda for future discussion. The minutes record an unnamed resident commenting about AI and several board members joining that conversation; no formal action or vote on AI policy occurred at the meeting.
The minutes record no formal board action in response to the safety comments; items on school configuration and AI were referred to appropriate committees and future agenda planning. The next joint BOE meeting was scheduled for Oct. 9, 2025.
