April 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education POLICY Committee Meeting

Rationale:  As required by our audit of our School Lunch Program, the District Wellness Committee reviewed the STUDENT WELLNESS AND NUTRITION policy.   The District Wellness Committee is comprised of district staff members and input was provided by parents and students.  There are some minor-suggested revisions made by the committee for your review.  

Rationale:  This is one of three new policies that are required by law (2025 session).  We were waiting for a model policy from Shipman and Goodwin before presenting it to the Board of Education for review.  The policy had input from Mrs. Donna Burns, Director of Instructional Technology and our Library Media Specialists.  The policy outlines the procedures the Department uses to curate a collection and maintain them based on legal requirements and guidance developed by the American Library Association and the American Association of School Librarians.  

POLICY REGARDING LIBRARY COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE

Rationale:  This is the second of three new policies that are required by law.  This policy provides guidelines for any challenge associated with library materials.  The policy is also a model from our district attorney, Shipman and Goodwin.  The policy is in compliance with the new state law. Again, it was developed with input from Mrs. Burns and our library media specialists.  

POLICY REGARDING LIBRARY MATERIAL REVIEW AND RECONSIDERATION

Rationale:  This is the third and last policy that is required by law.  Again, it was developed through review of model polies from Shipman and Goodwin by Mrs. Burns and our Library Media Specialist.  This is a new policy.  This policy outlines our guidelines for determining library displays and programs.  

POLICY REGARDING LIBRARY DISPLAYS AND PROGRAMS

Rationale:  Due to the fact that we are required by law to have a separate policy regarding library media, it made sense to adjust this policy to reflect guidelines for evaluation and selection of instructional materials.  This policy was reviewed by both Dr. Brooks and Mrs. Rutledge.  They will present an overview of the changes and rationale at the meeting.  In addition, they adapted the model form if anyone challenged instructional materials after the Library Challenge form for consistency.  

GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATION AND SELECTION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Rationale:  Over the past several years, the Board has been updating policies in each series.  We are now at the 5000 series.  This was a simple, quick policy to review.  There was only one minor change, that working papers are obtained in the School Counseling Office.  

WORKING PAPERS

Rationale:  This is a recommended policy adjustment from the Connecticut Associations of Boards of Education.  We shared the revisions with Mark Caron, our Director of Athletics.  The revisions suggested are in response to negative behavior exhibited by adults in events, but more specifically, athletic events.  This behavior has led to coaches quitting and has inflicted emotional damage to our students.  In the past, we have prohibited individuals from attending events, if behavior warrants it.  This policy would reinforce prior actions and give notice to individuals who might be exhibiting bad behavior.  Although I did not strike it in the model policy.   The Board may not want to be the final step in the appeal process and make decisions by the Superintendent binding.  It is not a statutory  requirement.  

Rationale:  We never changed the policy when the age of enrollment changed in 2023 to reflect the age of attendance to be 5 by September 1st.  With the passing of the revisions this session and being signed into law by the Governor, the requirement for school districts to provide a waiver process is gone effective 2027.   We believe it is only fair to families that are in the current process of completing it, but effective July 1st 2027, implement the September 1st date as fixed without a waiver process. This is allowable under the law.