Board of Education 10/15/2026

The Southington Board of Education meeting on October 15, 2026, focused substantially on the proposed elementary facilities referendum. The board chair reviewed the ballot authorization of up to $86,675,560 for a new Kelly Elementary School, five additional classrooms at South End, and closure and municipal/community reuse of Flanders no earlier than fall 2030. The current project estimate is $86.4 million; the estimated local share was described as about $39.7 million, potentially declining to about $33.9 million if specified state reimbursements are approved. These figures, tax impacts, operating savings, and reuse costs remain estimates or future decisions. No referendum or construction contract vote was taken. The administration also reported that the high school tennis-court project was approximately 95% complete; a board member requested confirmation that it remains on budget. The board approved job descriptions for deaf education and audiology services and an agriculture facilities assistant. The assistant position is expected to be hourly, 15–20 hours per week at $20–$25 per hour, with costs said to be funded by the Agriculture Science and Technology grant; a member requested confirmation of the grant funding and position details. The committee reported that the audiology role would bring work previously handled through contracted services in-house, which was described as more cost-effective.

The board approved the personnel report and the three job descriptions, and voted to expel one student for the 2026–27 school year. Several policies were presented as first reads, including food-service charges, athletic-event emergency plans, student discipline, promotion and retention, and special healthcare needs; the food-service revision would allow referral of unpaid meal balances to a collection agency after June 30, following a change that leaves the board responsible for meal-program debt. Members also discussed student cell-phone restrictions and state education-funding issues. No vendor selection, bid approval, or new procurement award was identified.