The Seymour Board of Education ratified a three-year contract with the administrators’ union, approved formal contracts for four school food-service managers and adopted the Seymour Public Schools District 2627 calendar at its regular meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Compton told the board the administrators’ contract had been ratified and the agreement’s highlights were included in the meeting packet. The board discussed the terms and voted on the ratification; the transcript records a motion and a vote but does not record a detailed roll-call tally in the public minutes.

Board members then approved official contracts for the four school nutrition managers, noting those positions previously lacked formal written agreements. Dr. Compton said the food-service operation remains part of the Seymour Board of Education budget and must comply with state and federal guidelines; the new contracts formalize salary and benefits already in place.

During review of the special-education and financial reports, a board member raised a staffing and budget concern: the district is running a deficit in noncertified staff and has relied on paraeducators supplied by outside agencies. The board member urged the district to conduct a market analysis of paraeducator pay, arguing that increasing wages could reduce reliance on agency staff and improve continuity for students. The superintendent acknowledged the problem as regional and said administrators will research recruitment options, agency alternatives and waiver pathways and report back to the board.

The board also took these actions and steps:

• Approved the winter athletics coaches through an on-the-record motion; one member recused themself and an abstention was recorded (final numerical vote not specified).

• Accepted donated water bottles (Everett Sherwood) and a separate donation designated for the football team; the superintendent was authorized to place the items as appropriate under board bylaws.

• Added two items to the agenda: item F to discuss four proposed new courses for next year (educational pathway, graphic design, a materials-in-science course, and AP business with personal finance) and item G for a discussion of board bylaws and committee structure; item G was described as informational with no action expected this evening.

• Discussed and approved the District 2627 calendar, including noting Juneteenth (June 18) and the desire to coordinate spring break timing with neighboring Valley districts; clerical corrections to committee dates were requested before finalization.

Superintendent Dr. Compton also highlighted recent school celebrations and community events, including an annual turkey drive. The transcript records differing counts for the turkey drive (various segments mentioned 324, 328, 330 and another count of 428); the board did not confirm a final single total in the meeting record.

Board Chair Kristen Bruno closed with remarks on collaboration and accessibility; members requested a follow-up on an AI-focused presentation and discussed tentative dates for budget workshops in January.

What’s next: Board members asked staff to return with further information on paraeducator recruitment and pay comparisons, and to provide legal advice about collaborative workspaces before committee-structure changes proceed.