The Stratford Board of Education convened on December 16, 2024, to discuss various topics, including updates on chronic absenteeism, heating issues in school buildings, and policy amendments.

The meeting began with a report highlighting Stratford's significant success in reducing chronic absenteeism, particularly through the LEAP program. Board members expressed pride in the district's achievements, noting it as one of the top districts in the state for this initiative. The discussion emphasized the importance of community involvement in educational processes.

Following this, the board addressed concerns regarding heating conditions in school buildings. A board member raised issues about inconsistent temperatures, particularly during colder months, where some classrooms reportedly reached uncomfortable levels. The discussion revealed that the town manages heating controls, and adjustments are often complicated by outdated systems and varying preferences among staff and students. The board acknowledged the challenges of maintaining a comfortable environment for all, noting that many classrooms lack individual thermostats, complicating temperature regulation.

The conversation also touched on the financial implications of heating costs, with board members suggesting that better control systems could lead to significant savings. The need for firmware upgrades on heating systems was highlighted as a potential solution to improve efficiency.

In addition to these discussions, the board reviewed several policy amendments. They unanimously approved changes to the online courses policy and made adjustments to the transfer credit policy, ensuring language clarity regarding legal custodianship. The board also discussed the necessity of offering payment plans for field trips, with some members questioning the requirement for coordination with Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs), as not all schools have such organizations.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore heating solutions and finalize policy amendments, reflecting the board's ongoing efforts to enhance the educational environment in Stratford schools.