Waterbury Board of Education Workshop - November 5, 2026

The Waterbury Board of Education workshop on November 5, 2026, covered school performance, summer programming, district finances, facilities, and several spending and approval requests. The Academic Department sought approval to apply for the 2026–27 Carl Perkins grant, allocated $673,979 with no matching funds required—about $43,000 more than the prior year. Funds were expected to support career and technical education, including professional development, student activities and work-based learning, credential exams, and equipment such as culinary upgrades, virtual-reality tools, 3D printers, and drone simulation technology. The board also heard a request for a no-cost MOU with St. Mary’s Hospital for a student-produced emergency-department-use campaign. Facilities staff requested a $24,000 increase to the SLR International professional-services agreement for districtwide radon testing, bringing the contract’s not-to-exceed total to $63,500. Bunker Hill School reported completed gym and office renovations, including improved visitor management and building security; no project costs were stated. The district reported a $158.4 million general-fund operating budget and an $87.5 million alliance grant allocation. It also highlighted a $500,000, three-year grant awarded to Bridge to Success for work in the Driggs neighborhood and a separate $6.4–$6 million, five-year grant application still awaiting a decision.

The workshop portion concluded with the record reflecting no votes taken, so the transcript does not establish outcomes for the grant, MOU, radon-testing, or policy requests discussed there. A subsequent special meeting approved the superintendent’s year-one performance compensation payment and authorized entry into a new three-year employment agreement with Dr. Darren M. Schwarz; both motions carried. The board also discussed revised recruitment and selection procedures, including requirements affecting job postings and automated hiring technology, and a digital school-facility application system intended to improve oversight of community facility use.