Stamford board approves amended discipline policy and several contracts, postpones administrators’ agreement

On Nov. 25 the Stamford School District Board of Education acted on several resolutions pulled from the consent agenda and on labor contracts.

Policy amendment — resolution 86: The board approved an amended policy concerning suspension, expulsion and due process (policy 5131) that incorporates model language about expungement recommended by CABE. A board member objected to language that would allow expungement without a process for review while a student is still enrolled, saying the provision was not mandated by state statute and expressing concern about automatic expungement. The motion to approve resolution 86 passed with recorded support of five members and opposition of four; there were no abstentions.

Fiscal item — resolution 87 (out‑of‑district placements): Board discussion clarified the district had 235 students placed out of district at the time of the fiscal meeting (186 district placements, 9 agency placements and 40 via settlements). Board members noted the rolling nature of the number but said a quarterly report is available; the item to cover the current out-of-district costs was approved.

Labor agreements: The board approved the paraeducators/parent-facilitator contract (resolution 90) and asked for documentation on training and evaluation (principals supervise parent facilitators; Miss Hutchinson and staff provide required training). The board moved and voted to postpone action on the Stamford administrators’ unit contract (resolution 91) so the board of representatives could review the agreement within statutory timelines; the postponement will bring the item back in December or January.

Board leaders emphasized the intent to preserve the board-of-reps’ opportunity to review collective bargaining items within statutory timeframes and to provide fuller information on training, out-of-district costs and policy implementation details in future packets.