Board prepares outreach for school renovation referendum, extends strategic plan through 2027 and discusses board size

The East Windsor Board of Education received an update on planning for a potential school renovation referendum and approved a one‑time extension of the district strategic plan through 2027 to keep community engagement focused on the construction outreach.

Members of the ad hoc renovation committee reported that Diamond Group has prepared a communications 'road map' (slide decks, fact sheets, sample social posts and outreach materials) and that a community forum is planned for Feb. 26, with committee review of materials at the board meeting on Feb. 4. The consultant team has collected drone and ground photography to document roofing and other infrastructure needs and plans two short videos: one focused on facilities and a later piece that includes student and staff stories.

At the meeting the board voted to extend the district’s strategic plan (originally adopted in 2021) through 2027 to allow the district to concentrate community engagement efforts on the renovation work this year; the motion to extend passed unanimously. The board discussed an inquiry from a charter‑revision group about reducing the number of board seats from nine to seven at a future cycle; members weighed potential recruitment benefits against the risk of overburdening fewer board members and tabled any change for later consideration.

Board members emphasized the importance of coordinating with the Board of Selectmen and ensuring that any joint outreach forum is posted properly and structured so it does not become an unposted meeting. The ad hoc committee will finalize outreach materials for review on Feb. 4, with the public forum scheduled for Feb. 26.