Connecticut / School Districts / Madison School District
After a lengthy debate over a proposed $5,000 cut to AP test-prep funding, the Madison School District Board of Education approved a $67,589,794 2026–27 budget (a 4.24% increase). The amendment to reduce the AP line failed 2–6–1; the full budget passed with seven in favor and two abstentions.
Connecticut / School Districts / Madison School District
Superintendent Dr. Cook told the board the district’s CIP passed the committee and that Polson construction (auditorium and gym HVAC/modernization) will begin in May; about 1,000 families have completed a district cell-phone survey and health-insurance rates offered no budgetary relief.
Connecticut / School Districts / Madison School District
The curriculum committee sought board approval for a student exchange to Freiberg, Germany (estimated $2,200 per student), described adoption of School Links to replace Naviance, and outlined a pilot of the Mastery Transcript Consortium with explicit data-security review and AI-literacy supports.
Connecticut / School Districts / Madison School District
Staff told the curriculum committee they will pilot AI-literacy lessons through advisory and counseling, using reviewed EdAdvance modules and a protected SideKick environment; the district will customize modules for social-emotional priorities and require teacher-led discussion before students interact with AI tools.
Connecticut / School Districts / Madison School District
At its Dec. 9 meeting the board approved the consent agenda, adopted student-discipline policy 5110.4, waived second readings for several state-driven policy updates and accepted donations totaling $15,524.60 to support student activities and trips.
Connecticut / School Districts / Madison School District
Presenters described a volunteer-run German exchange with host families in Freiburg, estimating about $2,200 per student for a roughly 10-night program and asking the committee to continue the program; staff outlined safety contacts, selection pressure, and chaperone arrangements.
Connecticut / School Districts / Madison School District
District staff said SchoolLinks will be used more broadly for grades 6–12 to collect student artifacts and build portfolios; a separate pilot will trial the Mastery Transcript Consortium product with volunteer juniors in three graduation courses (personal finance, civics, independent study).
Connecticut / School Districts / Madison School District
The superintendent presented a preliminary FY budget that would use $8.8 million in district health-insurance reserves to offset an unusually large 21.5% increase in employee health costs, while preserving key programs and scheduling a tentative board vote for April 28.
Connecticut / School Districts / Madison School District
The Madison Board of Education policy committee reviewed four model policy updates (child abuse reporting, student records/FERPA, curricular exemptions, parental access) that align with recent state law changes and agreed to forward them to the full board for consideration of waiving second readings.
Connecticut / School Districts / Madison School District
The Madison Board of Education policy committee reviewed a proposed library collection policy (6144) that would replace the district’s reconsideration rules. A board member objected that the policy’s definition of who may file challenges excludes taxpayers and board members; staff will check statutory language and revise the draft for February.