Board of Education Meeting Recap: Celebrating Students, Facing Budget Pressures, and Planning for the Year Ahead

Our latest Board of Education meeting reflected both the strengths of our school community and the serious challenges ahead. Students were recognized for leadership, scholarship, character, and service, while the board also reviewed a projected budget deficit for fiscal year 2025-26 and discussed rising pressures tied to special education and transportation costs.

I want to personally congratulate all of the student award recipients on their achievements. It was refreshing to listen to the great things you all have contributed to PCS and see you each recognized for those achievements.

One of the clearest themes of the evening was that our schools continue to do meaningful work for students even as financial pressures increase. The board also took an important step in leadership transition by appointing Dr. Frank Tiano as superintendent effective July 1, 2026, as the district prepares for the retirement of Superintendent Mike Cummings.

Students and school culture

The meeting began on a high note with recognition of several students whose leadership, academic commitment, and positive influence help shape the school community every day. These recognitions highlighted not just individual achievement, but the kind of school climate the district wants to continue building: one rooted in character, participation, and encouragement.

The board also heard updates showing strong community involvement beyond the classroom, including PTO growth, successful fundraising events, and plans for Cultural Arts Week. District leaders discussed expanding communication through social media and broader digital outreach, so more families and residents can stay informed and connected. Be on the lookout for a full presentation to the Board of Ed at the start of the school year, showcasing my vision for more community engagement through media.

Budget and special education

The most serious discussion centered on finances. Current projections show a fiscal year 2025-26 deficit between $157,000 and $190,000, driven in part by unexpected student needs, transportation costs, and other unbudgeted expenses.

Special education remains a major budget driver, accounting for more than 25 percent of district expenditures in your summary, and the pressure increased further with a $22,161 reduction in the special education excess cost grant. Board members emphasized that the district must continue meeting student needs while also looking for efficiencies, local placements when appropriate, and shared-service opportunities with neighboring districts.

Room For Improvement

I was displeased with the response at the most recent Town Meeting when I questioned us cutting a kindergarten teacher while backfilling an Art teacher position with no budgetary conversations. It was brought to my attention that our Art teacher was retiring and that the school filled that 0.7 FTE position with another Art teacher before addressing the need to add a second kindergarten teacher. (something previously cut during the "budget workshops") People in the audience yelled at me at the Town Meeting and told me I should know since I am on the Board of Ed (which is not true; they did not tell at least the full board this information), and the board members in the room that seemingly knew about this said nothing. My question was unanswered, and I was left to look like I didn't know what I was talking about, only to walk into our regular board meeting 6 days later with several pre-drafted motions sitting at our seats, one asking for approval to appoint an Art Teacher at a Master's Step 8. There were NO other full board discussions regarding this position, the cost to the school, the possibility of reducing the position to accommodate adding a kindergarten teacher, or anything else on the matter.

After the Town Meeting, I had written a blog on how we could save on that specific position AND add a kindergarten teacher: Saving Art and Saving Kindergarten: We Can Do Both

These pre-drafted motions were quickly read, voted on, and passed without ANY discussion:

Appointment Approval

0:28

If we want a fully functional, collaborative board, the withholding of information and the strategizing behind the backs of others has got to STOP. I also think we could be doing a MUCH better job helping our school out during this time, when we are having major budget issues. Money does not grow on trees, although, wouldn't that be nice?

Curious what other motions were on the pre-drafted list? Here's the sheet:

I want to be clear that I am writing this as an individual community member and parent advocate, not on behalf of the Pomfret Board of Education or Pomfret Community School. The views expressed here are my own, based on publicly available information, concerns shared directly with me by kindergarten parents who attended orientation, and perspectives shared by teachers working inside our school.