[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6358048,"mediaKeyId","2212881-d02ff57d8c15726838c4f72aca42ac09","parentId",2212881,"title","Superintendent reports Norton construction progress, open‑choice limits and SRO staffing update","audioSeconds",611,"startMs",3747000,"endMs",4358000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212881-d02ff57d8c15726838c4f72aca42ac09&start=3747&end=4358","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212881-d02ff57d8c15726838c4f72aca42ac09/thumbnail_3747000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6358048/Connecticut/Superintendent-reports-Norton-construction-progress-openchoice-limits-and-SRO-staffing-update","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358048-fa70acd330ed8f0d00a8e13e88b56886/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159923&Signature=ooePvZm3UM-9iq0DudKRfjAtysATEitU3u9vOl15SkFMoB0LO~Kl7vG6odPCbf8sbhziwRDv-z1E1cPj8yzNPH5nS-FwbM0jbf~fXdOEuhGXQcN~Z~7sc-KUUEw-vtwMrvnEFh0tZo372~Ap-KDiJkdrVDeYluJYErUXYhmqCLLEcNvBAgj5fyfEp7iotqnJplxlvZHnkATZKhIuXz-25RKNPoZDGiwYA4c7YaRgqkmMxLGy4xMzmMK1mAOYWEcuI0RrG5vg~k4HDyS4r3lDSLzNhy4eTMHnNsADbkO-XLW1aNISk5aGrGf3AgZ-RVVAa7Pp3E5iBCFlyNqh1mziFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cheshire School District","date","2025-01-16T00:00:00Z","article","Superintendent Dr. Solon told the Cheshire Board of Education on Jan. 16 that construction at Norton School is progressing and that the district is planning student engagement around construction activities, while also flagging program capacity limits and staffing changes.

Dr. Solon said spring construction work will focus on foundations and concrete, structural steel is expected by the end of the school year and frame work will be visible over the summer. Geothermal well work is under way and the district is discussing bringing knowledgeable contractors to speak with students and coordinating bus trips so students can observe installations.

On enrollment, Dr. Solon said the district has increased Open Choice participation over the past several years but faces K–8 seating constraints. He recommended not adding K–8 Open Choice seats this year, while proposing the addition of five or six freshman seats at Cheshire High School and limited openings for sophomores and juniors. He said the district does not intend to admit new seniors for only a final year.

On safety staffing, Dr. Solon said one School Resource Officer (SRO) left for another town and the Cheshire Police Department’s memorandum of understanding on special duties has been extended until March 1; however, a carve‑out for SROs means officers should return soon. He thanked current SRO Mike Khan for responsiveness.

Dr. Solon also previewed a phone‑free youth event for grades 5–8 the district is co‑hosting with the YMCA and Park and Recreation, capped at 100 students, intended to encourage multi‑age social engagement and peer‑led activities.

Administrators provided an update on naming suggestions for the new Norton-area school; suggestions included local family and historical farm names. The town council and a naming committee will consider submissions ahead of an architects’ deadline in June 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cheshire School District Board of Education 1-16-25","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Dr. Solon updated the board on Norton School construction progress and timelines, recommended limited new open‑choice seats at the high‑school level, and reported on School Resource Officer staffing and a planned phone‑free youth event.","taxTitle","Cheshire School District\t, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",57162,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358052,"Finance update: medical-claims reserves boosted by reimbursements; district raises non‑payroll cap to 70%",173,1720000,1893000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212881-d02ff57d8c15726838c4f72aca42ac09&start=1720&end=1893","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212881-d02ff57d8c15726838c4f72aca42ac09/thumbnail_1720000.jpg","/articles/6358052/Connecticut/Finance-update-medical-claims-reserves-boosted-by-reimbursements-district-raises-nonpayroll-cap-to-70","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358052-ad61dbe8d65a9645517981fa5f35d194/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159923&Signature=nJdWlwW9mNBs-Yg6Q~IiOqivy-cZS-ZmLBBOx55EZa0JR5N32uqkaEcw1JfIvhZjfu~3CRfJHvy5yqcmY9hu6Dv3Q7-ddAeQhxTAPGvUmo16hAz6I8avqD0XV-ddrS6n3X5ax3twxImgpBFR1UY41UcwUUktGlVK26ZsBoPURXhOe41Q9oEwfshUIpJljWp2VPdVtEGQ6ECLJKk-7EeG3EiDphp36sl9X8VEBy1Z1MpvvLtyj18s8UfDe9962J1bceNTaEtjwk2KXIm9JfvZSfCUSfcOxEpv2IYj-~v~Gz2sq173k8ED-cZKYmYk3m01Rl2ltar44H~OQ6rGoUrjqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cheshire Board of Education’s finance report on Jan. 16 said district finances are generally stable, while medical-claims activity prompted administrators to adjust reserve planning.

Finance staff reported December claims of about $1.2 million, slightly above the expected $1.19 million for the month, leaving the medical reserve at $1,461,662 (about 1.23 months of claims). The finance director said the district expects roughly $417,000 in stop‑loss reimbursements and about $200,000 in prescription‑drug rebates; together those reimbursements would increase the reserve to just over $2 million (about 1.7 months of claims), closer to the board’s target.

The finance director said the district initially set a 50% cap on non‑payroll expenditures for the fiscal midyear and, as the budget review progressed, recommended raising that cap to 70% until April to permit necessary spending ahead of further budget decisions.

Board members asked about a previously discussed midyear school‑meal price increase; administrators said no vote had been taken and that any approved increase would typically be announced in May for implementation the following school year.

Finance staff described the overall budget position as \"rock solid\" and said expected reimbursements and seasonal claim patterns should help maintain the targeted year‑end reserve.","The board’s finance report showed December claims slightly above monthly expectation but noted upcoming stop‑loss reimbursements and prescription rebates that will raise the district’s medical reserve; administrators also raised the non‑payroll expenditure cap from 50% to 70% until April.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358057,"Curriculum committee outlines wellness PE, climate surveys and new middle‑school reading measure",150,1194000,1344000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212881-d02ff57d8c15726838c4f72aca42ac09&start=1194&end=1344","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212881-d02ff57d8c15726838c4f72aca42ac09/thumbnail_1194000.jpg","/articles/6358057/Connecticut/Curriculum-committee-outlines-wellness-PE-climate-surveys-and-new-middleschool-reading-measure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358057-d71a4bb3befd0a0294b7639cfc728f95/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159923&Signature=Y3g3PXRqe2KwNV1XOwSGG~dNOoHMh8PqH4CNUe~JlM0jVKeNOWfJhHxA8KV~bCfBH~eiDP0F~fXfL7sOSVzjzoiMu1J4b7iXsdXdC~oBp4~9ZwC5xKbtXNybvXpdv6gBx-LfDkkVCJ8GrI9DXdQMdHz2VD0BscsQ17PYsoq8wNO~wtKorF4MNRxomG-Rra0xQtqR3506Z6OHxc-E26TwRjcI3rMrh3eTAuvQ2XtE35Wyzxtbl3pwP0SnlYtd03gW-sFuatREHZAzn-UmFRHHILiz5wwA4d90yarUzxFtYDTkzt4FF8RbmFf8ARTidI8IH48AKot3cMYPnjSt3T8BFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cheshire Board of Education received a Jan. 16 curriculum committee report that outlined several planned instructional changes and assessments across the district.

Miss Cullinan, who presented the committee summary, said Cheshire High School will move from traditional separate health and PE classes to semester-based integrated wellness courses focused on resilience, healthy lifestyles and social connection. Each wellness course will be half-credit and run on a semester schedule.

The committee also reviewed the Safe School Climate Survey, which the district administers biennially to students, staff and parents. The questions have not changed since 2018; the district will notify parents, provide a PDF preview of the student instrument and offer an opt‑out for families who choose not to have their children participate.

For middle-school universal screening, the curriculum committee recommended moving toward Acadience reading for grades 7 and 8. Officials said Acadience includes multiple passage types (science, social studies and prose), aligning better with middle-school reading demands. Dodd Middle School will pilot the instrument.

Dr. Gadd provided an update on the Cheshire High master schedule: staff are vetting a five-session day with 68-minute blocks on an eight-day cycle. The committee also reviewed annual out‑of‑state trips to Nature’s Classroom for elementary schools and logistics for those field trips in May.

Board members asked about whether the board reviews survey questions; administrators said the curriculum committee reviews questions and the full board has the opportunity to review them before administration in March.","The district’s curriculum committee reported plans to shift CHS physical education and health to semester-based integrated wellness courses, to continue the Safe School Climate Survey with parental opt-out, and to pilot Acadience as the middle-school universal reading screener.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358062,"Board adopts updated policies on fingerprinting, social networking, FAFSA and alternative education",154,2162000,2316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212881-d02ff57d8c15726838c4f72aca42ac09&start=2162&end=2316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212881-d02ff57d8c15726838c4f72aca42ac09/thumbnail_2162000.jpg","/articles/6358062/Connecticut/Board-adopts-updated-policies-on-fingerprinting-social-networking-FAFSA-and-alternative-education","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358062-de905334638ba9802606d2bfb0162b1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159923&Signature=fQ3ZbnNib55B9gHNC8lTxu3EqMAeWHHkIClOne76b~BhXiObZhcbyAHSy4ExkJzOm2x2Etuhrerj3jmid1BzTSIRnQwPBGXSQ6R3kQwrEVxu32Gt2Bv27jQaeV8izaR3KrgsaV2gEsw-ttPHiniimrjrCcw7qeD3D9ai-VsTLPXKJ71gOHokXxLOwUhi29cK7zWm6wQcHs2BiFlzoAK7fYol2wKJ5TKKE1zJjqPg~fvMJv5K1RKst~xs41CacdIh-CkqVD838LJ3lGYFa6pdF7-rxzmbD1DopAXMbJeO-AwnfLRZl0tzUQ55hej7N~cLw-pl93JOjRajFR3bWamQiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cheshire Board of Education voted unanimously on Jan. 16 to approve four policy updates and directed the superintendent to put them into immediate effect.

Mr. Adequi moved that the board give a third and final reading to several policies — security check/fingerprinting (4112.542/4212.5), rights/responsibilities and social networking (4118.51), FAFSA completion (6148) and alternative education program (6172) — and directed the superintendent to enact them. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bridal and carried by unanimous vote.

Board members said the security/fingerprinting policy focuses on data handling and access procedures for criminal-background information, rather than expanding fingerprinting itself. The social-networking update, limited to staff conduct when appearing to represent the district, was described as deliberately narrow: board members and the superintendent said attorneys tailored language to balance employment duties with staff First Amendment rights.

The FAFSA completion policy implements the state requirement that graduating students be supported in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid; the district's policy text mirrors the state’s phased rollout and reflects delayed implementation timelines. The alternative-education policy clarifies the district’s obligation to provide alternative programs and continued access to education for students who require them.

Mr. Adequi called the vote after discussion at the policy committee and a second reading; the board recorded the action as unanimous.","The Cheshire Board of Education gave a third and final reading and directed immediate implementation of four updated policies covering security/fingerprint data, staff social networking, FAFSA completion and alternative education; the motion passed unanimously.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358067,"Cheshire board honors Marion Manufacturing and highlights school-to-work partnerships",257,336000,593000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212881-d02ff57d8c15726838c4f72aca42ac09&start=336&end=593","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212881-d02ff57d8c15726838c4f72aca42ac09/thumbnail_336000.jpg","/articles/6358067/Connecticut/Cheshire-board-honors-Marion-Manufacturing-and-highlights-school-to-work-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358067-0aa8e34ca826fd559d7cb4719f31a451/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159923&Signature=SiUPFU42geN-Ig7pBt8s4Xhk8Ipe7b7lttuuOY5GnNunzMxJ56~KZ~Bx0uya-P3bdaYogh4mBzGeNrazjba4SOvsLYwhHFgfxSkkHTAc197NOMEJnh9BY3S8dbk420XZE~Wy3f6Z-YxhYLFiK8BocQD9Hgj59iXW7-WggWiqTdkVACc4g67D6Xw7-15FRSlUKC4Q-Hfe7ZKbb13NHe7dWUgH-Th~y6uHv8Ej7VWmym48GWbIxBNmhAR5iN7ELocopmS3B4Z9rBYjqW5GSrqWRhubvz13B~S5CZeDBoQM08-1HrtCH7JQoNh72Aht52eFYsPz5y9xxLeznRLAU-1UMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cheshire Board of Education recognized Marion Manufacturing at its Jan. 16 meeting for a long-running partnership with the district and its role in recruiting and training local graduates.

The recognition came during the superintendent's recognitions segment, when Dr. Solon introduced Doug Johnson of Marion Manufacturing. Johnson described the company’s manufacturing work — including precision parts for medical devices and aerospace applications — and said Marion hires Cheshire graduates and runs apprenticeship and on-the-job training that has produced managers now in their late 20s.

\"We have five kids that graduated Cheshire High. Some went off to college and came back to us,\" Doug Johnson said. \"Three of those young men are 28 years old, and they are our top managers for our company.\" He said Marion makes parts for rapid blood-transfusion devices, cable connectors, heart-monitor snaps and titanium parts for aircraft heat exchangers.

Board members and Marion Manufacturing representatives described the partnership as a recruiting pipeline for the company and a source of career opportunities for students. Dr. Solon said the district has arranged student tours and is discussing ways for students to engage with local manufacturers as part of career education and an \"adventure playground\" project at Norton School.

Johnson and board members said Marion and other local firms can offer students paid work, apprenticeships and pathways that combine on-the-job training with further education.

The board thanked Marion Manufacturing for its community support and said the district will continue to pursue partnerships that expose students to trade and STEM careers.","At its Jan. 16 meeting the Cheshire Board of Education recognized Marion Manufacturing for decades-long local hiring and cooperation with the district, and discussed efforts to connect students to trade careers and apprenticeships.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent reports Norton construction progress, open‑choice limits and SRO staffing update

Finance update: medical-claims reserves boosted by reimbursements; district raises non‑payroll cap to 70%

Curriculum committee outlines wellness PE, climate surveys and new middle‑school reading measure

Board adopts updated policies on fingerprinting, social networking, FAFSA and alternative education

Cheshire board honors Marion Manufacturing and highlights school-to-work partnerships