Board votes 7‑0 to send Budget Plans A and C to mayor amid magnet approval caution

The New London Board of Education voted 7‑0 on Feb. 9 to send Proposed Budget Plans A and C to the mayor, with President Elaine Maynard‑Adams saying the package would include updated financials and a cover letter to the city. The board’s vote followed a presentation by Superintendent Dr. Cynthia Ritchie and district staff reviewing enrollment, attrition trends, and a detailed look at Plan C’s proposed grade‑level configurations.

Dr. Cynthia Ritchie outlined that Plan C would propose enhanced STEM coursework, strengthen Visual & Performing Arts pathways, promote a comprehensive magnet marketing campaign, and change certain grade‑level configurations and estimated class sizes. Board members stressed they were not comfortable sending only Plan C to the city “without receiving follow up from the State Magnet Office regarding the approval for reducing a pathway,” prompting the decision to forward both Plans A and C to the mayor by March 13. The motion was made by Elaine Maynard‑Adams and seconded by Karen Bergin and carried 7‑0.

The board’s packet noted a range of implementation questions for Plan C, including facility and operations considerations, lottery processes for IE students and families, decisions about TK, and alternate paths to fiscal sustainability depending on whether state approval is granted. No final changes to school assignments or closures were adopted at the meeting; the board forwarded the materials to the mayor and requested follow‑up from state officials as part of the city submission process.