Groton Representative Town Meeting - 7/8/26

The Groton Representative Town Meeting held on July 8, 2026, included significant discussions on education-related procurement and budget matters. The meeting featured presentations on the Groton Public Schools strategic plan, highlighting goals such as accelerating academic achievement and expanding early childhood education. Two key grant resolutions were approved: a $150,000 State of Connecticut Early Childhood Smart Start grant for capital improvements to add two classrooms at the Mary Morrison Early Education Center, and a $975,000 grant for operational costs to support 10 full-day early childhood classrooms serving 180 students. The meeting also addressed staffing needs, with 12 new staff members planned for the expanded program, and discussed the sustainability of funding through state grants and sliding scale family fees. Additional procurement-related topics included the approval of new computers and technology upgrades for schools, and a proposed robotics competition field funded by a $50,000 T-Mobile grant with an estimated total cost of $200,000. The meeting concluded with budget discussions, including concerns about tax assistance for elderly residents and infrastructure issues such as crosswalk safety and tree replacement programs.