The Superintendent Search Heats Up: “Who Can Fill Kathy’s Shoes?”
Board Debates Snack Policies, Restorative Justice, and What Counts as “Engagement”
The April 9 Farmington Board of Education meeting wasn’t short on action. In just over four hours, the board reviewed a consultant-led search report, tackled enrollment logistics, proposed a new fiscal tool, and managed to sneak in cosmic bowling and cafeteria snacks. Some left reassured. Others were left puzzled. And in true Farmington fashion, the disagreements were polite, the quotes quotable, and the snacks… regulated.
🧠 Superintendent Search: Community Pride, Professional Burnout
Mary Broderick and Jack Reynolds of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) presented a detailed leadership profile based on 14 focus groups and 260 surveys, totaling 326 participants. Their goal: define what Farmington needs in its next superintendent.
The headline takeaway? Farmington is, in Jack Reynolds’ words, “an extraordinary district… but the expectations here will keep any candidate up at 2:30 in the morning.”
He joked that the high school students were so articulate about global models and common core that he had to ask if they’d been “brainwashed.” He quickly added, “I was kidding—they’re just that sharp.”
Survey responses were processed with the help of ChatGPT—to identify themes, not conclusions. Mary noted, “The content came entirely from Farmington voices. We just used AI to organize it.”
📉 Special Education, Staff Morale: A Double-Edged Sword
Farmington’s special education services were praised for inclusion and teacher collaboration—but also flagged as a top challenge, particularly in the survey portion. Concerns focused on staffing, turnover, and funding stress.
Board members expressed surprise. “We have cutting-edge services here,” said Andrea Sobel. “So why are we being portrayed like we’re behind?”
Mary Broderick offered context: “These responses came during a time of state-level tension over special ed funding. That likely shaped perception.”
Other areas straddling strength and strain included teacher morale and academic pressure. Jack Reynolds observed, “The desire for excellence is self-generated by teachers and administrators. But that can lead to burnout, especially post-COVID.”
Angela Porter pushed back gently. “We have a culture that supports our teachers. We need to be careful not to confuse stress with dysfunction.”
🧭 “The Farmington Way”: Excellence, But on a Shoestring
A recurring theme—coined by CABE and echoed by several board members—was “The Farmington Way”: high achievement, tight budgets, and intense community involvement.
Mary explained, “People want world-class outcomes… and they expect it at minimal cost. That creates pressure on everyone.”
James Ratchford raised the question of recency bias, noting the survey overlapped with recent administrative transitions. “Six months ago or six months from now, this might’ve read differently,” he said.
🏫 Enrollment: Smooth So Far, With a Side of Cosmic Bowling
Assistant Superintendent Dan Laliberte provided an update on the planned transition of around 60 students from East Farms to Noah Wallace. So far, concerns have been limited.
“We even had a cosmic bowling night at the open house,” he said. “That really helped ease nerves.”
Families with students entering fourth grade were allowed to apply to stay at East Farms, as long as they provide their own transportation. Laliberte said the district is “cautiously optimistic” it can honor most requests.
Pre-K programs moving to Westwoods also generated discussion—mainly about parking, child-height sinks, and how to paint and recarpet classrooms over summer. “Nothing unmanageable,” Laliberte said, “just the usual ripple effects.”
💰 Budget Update: Broken Lift, Unexpected Windfall
The board approved $50,000 for an urgent replacement of a failed ADA lift at East Farms Elementary. “It’s not a luxury—it’s a legal requirement,” noted Laliberte.
In more cheerful news, Farmington will receive approximately $300,000 in additional special education reimbursement from the state due to excess cost fund adjustments. The board plans to recommend the creation of a non-lapsing account to store up to 2% of year-end surplus for future educational use.
“This would be a first for Farmington,” said Laliberte. Superintendent Greider cautioned, “Use it as a buffer—not to artificially lower future budgets. That’s a trap.”
📜 Policy Updates: Chatty Parents, Take Caution
Among several policy revisions, the board reviewed an update to visitor protocols requiring that guests refrain from engaging students or staff without prior permission. That wording didn’t sit well with Angela Porter.
“It makes it sound like parents can’t talk to teachers at a concert,” she said.
Greider clarified: “It’s not to discourage engagement—it’s to ensure clear expectations in worst-case scenarios.”
The board also held a first reading of a new Restorative Practices policy, which will replace the current bullying framework per Public Act 25-1, effective July 1. Erica Santos, who serves on the board and works in behavioral health, emphasized that restorative models are “holistic and healing—not just for the student who causes harm, but for the whole class affected.”
🧑🏫 Staffing Update: 39 Teachers Tenured
Assistant Superintendent Veronica Zullo reported that 39 teachers will receive tenure this year, based on 20 or 40 months of continuous service. “These are educators who started during COVID,” she said. “Their resilience has been remarkable.”
Several part-time and one-year contract teachers will not be renewed—standard procedure, Zullo emphasized, and not a reflection of performance.
🥨 Snack Policy Standardized (Finally)
The board also received an update on elementary snack policy, which until now varied by school. Going forward, only grades 2–4 will have access to snack purchases.
“We had kindergarteners skipping lunch for snacks,” Laliberte said. “We needed to put the brakes on.”
Chartwells will also partner with student programs to bring culinary opportunities to high schoolers and staff—possibly including faculty meal delivery. Stay tuned for menus.
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Jack Beckett is the senior writer at The Farmington Mercury. His reporting is fueled by espresso, public meeting transcripts, and an unhealthy fascination with municipal finance.
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