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Preston Board unanimously adopts Pre-K handbook, "Four Pillars" framework and updated 2024–25 calendar; accepts budget report
Summary
At its Aug. 19 meeting, the Preston Public School District Board of Education approved a Pre-K handbook, adopted a four‑pillar graduate framework, accepted an updated school calendar and approved the June year‑to‑date budget report; all motions passed unanimously.
Megan Gallant, chair of the Preston Public School District Board of Education, presided over the Aug. 19 regular meeting at Preston Plains Library where the board approved several policy and operational items by unanimous vote.
The board accepted the consent agenda and then approved a new PVMS Pre‑K program handbook, which Superintendent Dr. Seitsinger said will be distributed to parents on the first day of school and posted on the district website. The motion to accept the handbook was moved by Nicole Serra and seconded by Deborah Burke‑Grabarek and passed unanimously.
The board also adopted the document titled "The Four Pillars of Preston," which the Curriculum Committee presented as the district’s guiding graduate outcomes: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving; Effective Communication; Innovation and Creativity; and Global Citizenship. The motion to adopt the framework was moved by Mike Hinton, seconded by Deborah Burke‑Grabarek and approved unanimously.
An updated 2024–25 school calendar (revised Aug. 6, 2024) was approved; it preserves 182 instructional days, keeps two weather days, and designates Election Day as a professional‑development day for staff (no school for students). The calendar was accepted on a motion by Mike Hinton, seconded by Nicole Serra.
Cindy Varricchio, the district director of finance, presented the June year‑to‑date financial report. As of June 30, 2024, the district had expended $14,012,490—about 97% of the Board of Education budget—with a remaining balance of $37,045. Varricchio noted several capital items and cost pressures: a new van purchased with grant funds is expected by the end of the school year; an elevator project is temporarily on hold and has been rescheduled for December with an expected cost increase of about $13,000; and a projected cost for new air conditioning at PPMS has doubled from earlier estimates. On a motion by Mike Hinton, seconded by Nicole Serra, the board accepted the June YTD budget report unanimously.
Dr. Seitsinger also informed the meeting that state law allows boards to draft policy permitting a non‑lapsing (non‑lasting) account and that, as of August 2024, boards across the state may be allowed to establish and maintain up to 2% of unspent funds from the school‑year budget for future BOE needs.
During principal and PTO updates, Ray Bernier, PVMS principal, listed upcoming events including a Sept. book fair and Grandparents' Day, said the Healthy Kids program will operate 7 a.m.–6 p.m., and reported net enrollment changes. The board discussed forming a negotiating committee for upcoming staff contract talks and emphasized readiness to assemble grant materials quickly.
All formal motions recorded at the meeting were approved by unanimous vote. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 9, 2024.
