Waterford Public Schools public meetings in 2023
24 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education held its regular and organizational meeting on December 19, 2023, approving several key items. These included a new three-year agreement with the Waterford Federation of Classroom Teachers, revised 2023-2024 and new 2024-2025 school calendars, and the adoption of Wit & Wisdom instructional materials for K-5 English/Language Arts. The board also elected Pat Fedor as chairperson and approved other routine items.
- Ratified teacher union contract for July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027
- Approved revised 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school calendars
- Adopted Wit & Wisdom K-5 English/Language Arts materials
- Approved Policy 5080 on high school graduation requirements
- Appointed Craig Merriman to Town Retirement Commission
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education Finance Committee met to approve prior meeting minutes and discuss the FY25 board budget process, reviewing specific budget sections including water service, sewer service, maintenance and repair, transportation, communications, postage, advertising, travel and conferences, and other purchased services. The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 PM.
- Approved minutes from January 19, 2023 Finance Committee meeting
- Discussion of FY25 Board Budget Process
- Review of budget sections 410 Water Service, 411 Sewer Service, 430 Maintenance & Repair, 510 Transportation, 530 Communications, 531 Postage, 540 Advertising, 580 Travel & Conferences, 590 Other Purchased Services
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education held a special meeting on Nov 29, 2023, primarily to enter executive session to discuss school security with Mr. Giard and Chief Balestracci. The board approved the motion to enter the closed session and later adjourned; no other public business was conducted.
- Executive session approved for discussion re: School Security
- Invited Mr. Giard and Chief Balestracci to executive session
- Meeting held at Central Office Conference Room, 15 Rope Ferry Road
- Motion to enter executive session approved unanimously (8 yea votes)
- Meeting adjourned at 6:56 PM
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education held its regular meeting on November 16, 2023, approving the consent agenda (minutes and October expenditure report), a second reading of the bullying and safe school climate policy, and first readings of several new policies. The board also received presentations on curriculum design, behavior intervention, and staff trainings, and entered executive session to discuss school security.
- Approved Policy #5020 Bullying and Safe School Climate Plan
- Approved first readings of policies on admission age, graduation requirements, recess, FAFSA completion, and parental access to instructional materials
- Approved consent agenda including October 2023 expenditure report
- Entered executive session to discuss school security
- Recognized student achievements and board member Mindy Stone
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education Policy Committee is meeting to review several school policies, including admission age, graduation requirements, recess, FAFSA completion, and parental access to instructional materials. The committee also approved minutes from its September 28, 2023 meeting.
- Review Policy 5015 Admission to the Public Schools at or Before Age Five
- Review Policy 5080 High School Graduation Requirements
- Review Policy 5120 Recess & Play-Based Learning
- Review Policy 5370 Improve Completion Rates of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Review Policy 6110 Parental Access to Instructional Material
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education will hold a regular meeting to discuss and possibly act on naming a school facility (softball field) for a community member, review the FY 2025 budget timeline and assumptions, consider the capital improvement plan, and approve several policy updates. The board will also enter executive sessions to discuss performance of public officials and school security.
- Discussion and possible action on naming a school facility for a community member (softball field) with petition and support letters
- Discussion on FY 25 budget assumptions and capital improvement plan
- First reading and approval of policies on non-discrimination, attendance, bullying, student discipline, suicide prevention, and weighted grading
- Approval of consent agenda including September 2023 expenditure report and food service financial report
- Executive sessions for performance of public officials and school security
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education Ad Hoc WHS Softball Field Naming Committee met to review a proposal to name the Waterford High School softball field. The committee approved a motion recommending the field be named in memory of Jody Marie Nazarchyk, and the recommendation will go to the full Board of Education for final approval. The meeting also included approval of prior minutes and a discussion of submitted documentation, including a petition and support letters.
- Approved motion to recommend naming the Waterford High School Softball Field in memory of Jody Marie Nazarchyk
- Reviewed petition and support letters regarding the field naming
- Approved minutes from September 19, 2023 meeting
- Public comments on the naming may be submitted to the committee c/o the Board of Education Chair at Waterford Town Hall
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education held a regular meeting on September 28, 2023, where it approved the consent agenda (minutes and August expenditure report) and the 2023-2024 Board of Education Goals. The board also entered executive session to discuss deployment of school security personnel. Public comments were accepted and several were attached to the agenda.
- Approved consent agenda including August 2023 monthly expenditure report
- Approved 2023-2024 Board of Education Goals
- Entered executive session to discuss deployment of school security personnel
- Received public comments from Laurie Wolfley, Doris Crum, Thomas Crum, Mary Childs, Deb Moshier-Dunn
- Heard superintendent's report on Summer Academy and Extended School Year
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education Policy Committee met on September 28, 2023, to review and approve several school policies. The committee voted to move seven policies to the full board for review, covering non-discrimination, attendance, bullying, student discipline, suicide prevention, and weighted grading for honors classes. The meeting also included approval of minutes from the August 17, 2023 meeting.
- Approved minutes from August 17, 2023 Policy Committee meeting
- Reviewed Policy 1000 Non-Discrimination (Community) and Regulation
- Reviewed Policy & Regulation 5010 Attendance, Truancy and Chronic Absenteeism
- Reviewed Policy & Regulation 5020 Bullying and Safe School Climate Plan
- Reviewed Policy 6120 Weighted Grading for Honors Classes; moved to full board
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education Ad Hoc WHS Softball Field Naming Committee met to review a proposal for naming the WHS Softball Field under Policy 7012. They elected Pat Fedor as chair and discussed the policy and submitted documentation, including a petition and support letters. Public comments on the naming may be submitted to the committee.
- Elected Pat Fedor as committee chair
- Reviewed Policy 7012 on naming schools, facilities, and fields
- Reviewed petition and support letters for naming the softball field
- Public comments accepted via Waterford Board of Education Chair
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education is holding a regular meeting with a consent agenda, reports, and new business. They approved several policies, including employment checks and discrimination complaint procedures, and formed an ad hoc committee to review naming the high school softball field. The board also discussed goals for 2023-2024 and entered executive session to review the superintendent's evaluation.
- Approved consent agenda including minutes and monthly expenditure reports for June and July 2023
- Approved Policy #4196/4830 (Employment Checks), #4336/4800 (Discrimination Complaints), #4710 (Heat Illness Awareness)
- Formed ad hoc committee to review naming of Waterford High School Softball Field
- Discussed Board Goals for 2023-2024
- Entered executive session to review superintendent's evaluation
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education Policy Committee met on August 17, 2023, and approved moving several policies to the full board for review, including employment checks, family and medical leave, discrimination complaint procedures, and a new policy on heat illness awareness for athletics. The committee also approved minutes from its March 23, 2023 meeting and discussed a regulation on naming schools and facilities.
- Approved Policy 4196/4830 (Employment Checks) to move to full board
- Approved Regulation 4224 (Family and Medical Leave Act) to move to full board
- Approved Policy & Regulation 4336/4800 (Discrimination Complaint Procedure) to move to full board
- Reviewed new Policy 4710 (Exertional Heat Illness Awareness for Athletics)
- Approved Regulation 7012 (Naming of Schools, Facilities, and Fields) to move to full board
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education Ad Hoc Class Size Assessment Committee met to examine class size data and course offerings for PreK-12 students. They approved the minutes from the April 27, 2023 meeting and discussed reviewing demographic study consultants. The meeting was adjourned at 5:32 PM.
- Approved minutes from April 27, 2023 meeting
- Discussion on review of demographic study consultants
- Meeting held at Central Office Conference Room, 15 Rope Ferry Road
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education held a regular meeting on June 22, 2023, where it approved the final FY24 budget, appointed Wendy McCabe as Special Services Supervisor, and renewed the superintendent's contract for three years with a 2.99% salary increase. The board also approved an agreement allowing emergency access to school surveillance cameras and ratified a food service employees union agreement. Discussions included naming the high school softball field and adjusting the 2023-2024 school calendar.
- Approved final line item FY24 budget as presented
- Approved Wendy McCabe as Special Services Supervisor effective July 1, 2023
- Approved agreement with Waterford Emergency Management for emergency access to school surveillance cameras
- Approved superintendent contract renewal for three years (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2026) with 2.99% base salary increase for year one
- Ratified agreement with Waterford BOE Food Service Employees Union (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2025)
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education held a special meeting on June 19, 2023, primarily to enter executive session to discuss the appointment of a public employee, specifically finalists for an administrator vacancy. The board voted unanimously to enter the closed session and later adjourned. No other substantive business was conducted.
- Executive session to discuss appointment of a public employee (administrator vacancy)
- Invited attendees: Mr. Giard, Mr. Powers, Ms. Wygonik, Ms. Sudhoff, and recommended candidate
- Motion to enter executive session approved unanimously
- Meeting adjourned at 5:13 PM
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education approved new curricula for world language (grades 6-12), mathematics (grades 6-8), and social studies (grades 6-8 and 9-12), along with related instructional materials. The board also approved a revised 2022-2023 school calendar with the WHS graduation date set for June 15, 2023, and non-renewed contracts for eight long-term substitute teachers. Several policies were adopted, including those on electronic records, medication administration, food allergies, and Section 504/ADA. The meeting included a consent agenda with minutes and financial reports, and presentations on the Avery Point Transition Program and the School Connectedness Program at QH.
- Adopted 6-12 World Language Curriculum
- Adopted 6-8 Mathematics Curriculum
- Adopted 6-8 and 9-12 Social Studies Curricula
- Approved WHS Class of 2023 graduation date as June 15, 2023
- Non-renewed contracts for eight long-term substitute teachers
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education Policy Committee met on March 23, 2023, and approved several policy updates to move to the full board. The committee approved policies on electronic records retention, medication administration, food allergies/glycogen disease, and Section 504 students. They tabled a discussion on exertional heat illness awareness to the next meeting.
- Approved Policy 2024 on retention of electronic records and info
- Approved Policy 5000 on administration of medications
- Approved Policy 5060 on food allergies and/or glycogen disease
- Approved Policy 5160 on students and Section 504
- Tabled Policy 4710 on exertional heat illness awareness
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education held a regular meeting on March 23, 2023, approving several action items. The board certified compliance with Connecticut Nutrition Standards for the 2023-24 school year and allowed food/beverage exemptions at certain events. It also appointed Kathleen Elbaum to the School Building Committee and approved revised committee assignments. The meeting included presentations on executive function skills and a mastery update, plus routine consent agenda items.
- Approved ED-099 Addendum Healthy Food Certification for 2023-24, directing Director Dianne Houlihan to submit to CSDE
- Approved allowing sale of non-compliant food/beverages at after-school or weekend events, not from vending machines or school stores
- Appointed Kathleen Elbaum as Board representative on School Building Committee (term through 06/30/2025)
- Approved revised representative and committee assignments for January–December 2023
- Approved consent agenda including February 2023 minutes, expenditure report, and food service financial report
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education is holding a special meeting to review, discuss, and possibly take action on the superintendent's proposed education budget for 2023-2024. The agenda includes a budget presentation and follow-up discussion, followed by public comments and adjournment. The meeting is primarily focused on the budget, with no other substantive items listed.
- Review, discussion, and possible action on Superintendent's Proposed Education Budget for 2023-2024
- Budget presentation attached as 20230209_FY24 Budget Presentation to BOE.pdf
- Public comments limited to 3 minutes per speaker, 20 minutes per subject
- Meeting adjourned at 6:47 PM
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education held a special meeting to review and discuss the Superintendent's Proposed Education Budget for 2023-2024. The agenda indicates an entire budget review was anticipated. The meeting included public questions and comments, and concluded with adjournment.
- Review and discussion of Superintendent's Proposed Education Budget for 2023-2024
- Budget presentation and recommended budget documents attached
- Public questions and comments session
- Meeting adjourned at 7:26 PM
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education Policy Committee met on January 26, 2023, and approved several new or revised policies for review by the full Board of Education. The committee also approved the minutes from its September 12, 2022 meeting. All votes were unanimous.
- Approved Policy 6130 on advanced courses/challenging curriculum
- Approved Policy 6010 on curricular exemptions
- Approved new Policy 6140 on equitable identification of gifted and talented students
- Approved Policy 3195 on meal charging
- Approved Policy 5120 on physical activity, undirected play, and student discipline
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education held a regular meeting on January 26, 2023, where it approved several action items, including the K-8 Partnership tuition rate for 2023-2024, renewal of the Ad Hoc Class Size Assessment Committee, and committee assignments for 2023. The board also moved into executive session to discuss the superintendent's mid-year performance evaluation. The meeting included public comment, consent agenda approval, and reports from the superintendent and committees.
- Approved K-8 Partnership tuition rate of $12,389 for 2023-2024 (same as 2022-2023)
- Approved consent agenda including December 2022 expenditure report and food service financial reports
- Renewed Ad Hoc Class Size Assessment Committee for 2023
- Approved representative and committee assignments for 2023
- Moved to executive session for mid-year evaluation of Superintendent
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education Finance Committee is meeting to review the FY23 budget process, focusing on specific salary, benefit, and operational expense line items. The committee will also approve minutes from the previous meeting and adjourn.
- Discussion of FY23 budget sections: salaries (certified, support, other), temporary pay, health insurance, long-term disability, FICA, reimbursements, unemployment comp, workers' comp, unused sick leave, retirement incentive, electricity, equipment, maintenance supplies, fuel oil, natural gas, propane, transportation supplies
- Approval of minutes from January 10, 2023 Finance Committee meeting
Archived Meetings
The Waterford Board of Education Finance Committee is meeting to review the FY24 budget process and discuss specific budget line items, including maintenance supplies, fuel oil, natural gas, propane, transportation supplies, temporary pay, overtime, contracted services, professional development, curriculum development, legal services, rentals, insurance, tuition, instructional supplies, software, textbooks, library books, other supplies, and dues and fees. The committee also approved the minutes from the December 8, 2022 meeting.
- Discussion of FY24 budget process and review of multiple budget line items (e.g., 613 Maintenance Supplies, 620 Fuel Oil, 622 Natural Gas, 623 Propane, 627 Transportation Supplies, 122 Temporary Pay, 132 Overtime, 321 Instructional Service-Contracted, 322 Professional Development, 323 Curriculum Development, 330 Other Prof/Technical Services, 331 Legal Services, 440 Rentals, 520 Fire/Property Insurance, 521 Liability Insurance, 529 Other Insurance, 560 Tuition - Other Public, 563 Tuition – Private, 611 Instructional Supplies, 612 Software, 641 Textbooks, 642 Library Books – Periodicals, 690 Other Supplies – Materials, 810 Dues & Fees)
- Approval of minutes from December 8, 2022 Finance Committee meeting