Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, introduced the idea of a district staff child care program at the Board of Education’s meeting on Tuesday, February 17.

Dr Erardi said the program presented to the school board comes “with the energy from [Monroe Learning Center Director Dawn Ryan], hoping that the Newtown board will look to support the opportunity.”

Ms Ryan, Dr Erardi explained, offers a similar program for Monroe, and that program is based at Chalk Hill Middle School, where Sandy Hook Elementary School is also currently housed.

The superintendent also said a number of staff members in Newtown have already expressed support for the opportunity of having a child care program for staff members.

While Dr Erardi said it is difficult to plan what the space needs would be for the program, due to not having an enrollment projection, he also shared that district administration believes Hawley Elementary School or Newtown High School could provide the space for such a program.

“This initiative comes to you with at least the lens of legal counsel looking at what a proposed agreement could look like,” said Dr Erardi. “In addition to that it comes to you at no cost directly born by the Board of Education, with a potential soft cost as the exception. So it was a conversation we have had offline for at least a few months.”

Board of Education Secretary Kathy Hamilton was among a number of the board members who offered comments in support of such a program, but she also said she wanted more information before making a final decision.

“What I would like to see… before moving forward, number one is I’m a little bit hesitant about committing to this program until we have a more clear definition of what we are going to be doing in two years with the status of our schools,” said Ms Hamilton, adding it is hard for her to “commit space when I know that we are evaluating our space as we speak.”

She also asked for a business plan that would explain what the “soft costs” for the district would be and what the cost of the program would be to participating parents.

Ms Ryan said more information about the program would be known once possible enrollment is established. Another potential aspect of the child care program, Ms Ryan said, would be the option to offer high school students volunteer time with the program.

“I’m in favor of it, because I think it cuts down on a lot of teacher absences within the district,” said school board member Debbie Leidlein, while adding her hopes that the eventual decision will be based on the district’s needs, “and… I think it is definitely beneficial for our children of our teachers and is a positive move for improving teacher morale.”

When a working parent has a “good day care system,” board Vice Chair Laura Roche said she knows it helps the parent be better at their job.

“I think it is a win-win for everybody involved, and I’m very excited to hear more about this program,” Ms Roche said.

No decision about the child care program was made during the meeting.

Agriscience

Program

Nonnewaug High School Agriscience Director Bill Davenport spoke before the school board during its February 5 meeting about an effort to create a new regional agriscience program at Shepaug Valley High School. When built, according to Mr Davenport, Newtown would be placed in Shepaug’s region, instead of Nonnewaug’s, where Newtown residents currently attend. School board members asked questions, but made no decision on the presentation during that meeting.

Shepaug Valley High School Principal Kim Gallo attended the board’s February 17 meeting, when the school board voted unanimously to pass an agreement to have residents wishing to attend an agriscience program would send those students to Shepaug Valley High School once the program opens, which is expected for the fall of 2018.

Board members asked a range of questions, including transportation options, and transition plans once the new program is open.

“Our first year in [2018], we intend to accept freshmen and sophomores,” said Ms Gallo, “and the reason I say sophomores is because there are so many sophomores who are turned down because Nonnewaug doesn’t have enough slots.”

Ms Gallo continued to explain that the Shepaug program would not move students who are already attending the Nonnewaug program away from that school.

After the school board voted to accept the agreement, Ms Gallo said, “Thank you very much. It’s a blessing for me as an administrator to have this put in my place, to be able to have this kind of program. It is kind of a legacy for my system. So, I can’t wait to get your kids.”

Also during the meeting, Dr Erardi noted the five school cancellations so far this school year.

“The calendar is fairly clear that through cancellations six, seven, and eight, we’re in decent shape before looking at the April break,” said Dr Erardi. “So that is the running record as of this evening.”

The superintendent also highlighted a correction for the recently released 2015-16 school calendar. The two-day February vacation around Presidents’ Day, was accidentally set for February 22 and 23, but should be listed on February 15 and 16.

“We’ll make that change,” said Dr Erardi. “We’re going to send it out as information as a proposed change, just so that parents have it earlier rather than later.”

Dr Erardi also reported that the grant-funded school-based health center at Newtown Middle School is expected to have a “soft opening” shortly. Dr Erardi also said an event is expected to be held for interested parents to attend to learn further information about the center.