Farmington Board of Education Meeting Recap 🚌🎒

Did you miss the September 16th Farmington Board of Education meeting? Don’t worry—we’ve got the full scoop, and oh boy, was it a rollercoaster! This meeting was Farmington’s equivalent of must-see TV, from emotional awards to futuristic high schools to some major bus drama. So please sit back, sip your coffee ☕, and let’s dive into all the highlights.

Tim Barron is Farmington’s 2024 Teacher of the Year! 👨‍🏫💻

Let’s start with the feel-good moment of the night: Tim Barron, Farmington High School’s very own STEM superhero, was named Teacher of the Year! 🎉 Barron has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in computer science, robotics, and STEM education. Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Greider spoke glowingly of Barron’s dedication, noting how his work has shaped the future of countless students. And let’s say, it’s no small feat that FHS boasts the most students in Connecticut honored by the NCWIT for aspirations in computing. 🎖️

In actual, humble fashion, Barron turned the spotlight back to his colleagues and students. “This is a we award, not a me award,” he said. Awww! 🥲 If you’re into heartwarming moments (and trust us, this was one for the ages), watch the full ceremony here.

Diane Hacker Honored as 2024 Staff Member of the Year 🏅📚

But wait, there’s more! The night’s accolades didn’t stop with Barron. Diane Hacker, a paraprofessional-turned-office superstar, took home the title of Staff Member of the Year. 🌟 Known for her compassionate approach and leadership at Noah Wallace School, Diane led the development of the Peace Path program, helping students resolve conflicts independently. 🕊️

Hacker humbly reflected on her Farmington journey, thanking colleagues, students, and her family for their support. “Farmington is a community that truly values relationships,” she said, clearly touched by the recognition. Watch Diane’s speech and prepare to feel all the feels here. 💖

Bus Drama Continues: An Apology and a Plan 🚌🤞

Of course, no Farmington Board of Ed meeting recap would be complete without addressing the, well, bus-tastrophe. Specialty Transportation, the company responsible for getting your kids to school (and sometimes back home… eventually), faced the music. Mike Turner, Vice President of Operations, apologized for the chaos during the first weeks of school. 😬 From missed pickups to epic bus delays, it’s safe to say the transportation issues sparked plenty of parent frustration.

Turner admitted that communication had been poor, promising that the company was working overtime to fix the problems. Specialty had expected to hire five drivers from the previous contractor, but those plans fell through the day before school started. Not ideal! 😅 But they’re bringing on new drivers—five are in training now—and making tweaks to routes to speed up those commutes.

Board members were not shy about voicing their concerns:

• Angela Cahill shared how her two kids were stuck on the bus for over 90 minutes during the first week of school, sweating it out while waiting to get home. 😓
• Nadine Giacobbe echoed similar frustrations, stressing the importance of getting things back on track ASAP.

Mike Turner acknowledged the issues and promised to turn things around. “This will get better, I assure you,” Turner said, though many parents are holding their breath. 🤞 You can catch the full discussion—and judge for yourself—right here.

Farmington’s New High School: Ready to Rival Your Favorite College Campus 🏫🌿

Let’s switch gears to something far more exciting: Farmington’s brand-new high school! And wow, does it deliver. Principal Russ Crist and Assistant Superintendent Kim Wynne led the presentation on the stunning new building, which has been designed to support students’ well-being and foster collaboration. 🌱

Key highlights include:

• Biophilic design: Translation? Lots of natural light and indoor plants to reduce stress and boost learning. 🌿
• Flexible classrooms: Walls and furniture that move to accommodate different learning styles. It’s basically like having a high-tech classroom on wheels. 💻🛋️
• The Senior Summit: A dreamy hangout space for seniors that symbolizes their hard-earned independence. 🎓

Kim Wynne spoke about the science behind the school’s design, including how spaces encourage creativity, movement, and collaboration. Farmington’s high school students? Yeah, they’re living in the future! Check out the new high school here and prepare for some serious school envy. 😍

Summer Maintenance: Hard Work Behind the Scenes 🔧🏗️

While the new high school stole the show, let’s not forget about the amazing work done across the district’s other six schools this summer. Sam Kilpatrick, Director of Facilities, and Dan Zertun, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, gave an update on the summer maintenance projects.

Thanks to some clever repurposing of furniture from the old high school, over $100,000 was saved by redistributing desks, chairs, and equipment to Irving A. Robbins Middle School and Westwoods Upper Elementary. 💰♻️ The custodial team worked overtime, ensuring all schools were in tip-top shape for the start of the school year. Huge props to them for pulling it off!

Big Thanks to Our Sponsor: Farmington Storage 🔐

Let’s not forget to show some love to Farmington Storage, our go-to for all things storage! Whether you’ve got too many holiday decorations or you just can’t seem to part with those boxes of high school memorabilia (we get it 😅), Farmington Storage has you covered. Located at 155 Scott Swamp Road, they’re just a call away at 860-777-4001. Thanks for making sure Farmington stays organized, one box at a time! 📦✨

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About the Author

Jack Beckett drinks more coffee than should be humanly possible ☕. When he’s not writing for The Farmington Mercury, he’s scouring Farmington for the next great cup of joe or wondering how many tabs a person can have open at once before their laptop explodes. 💻✍️