Pomfret BOE Highlights: Rising Costs, New Contracts, and Future Planning

The Pomfret Board of Education covered a wide range of important topics at its recent meeting—from leadership changes and contract approvals to budget challenges and long-term facility planning. Here’s a clear rundown of the major decisions and discussions that impact our town.

Board Leadership & Governance

The board unanimously elected its new officers for the upcoming term:

• Chair: Leigh Grossman

• Vice Chair: Brent Tuttle

• Secretary: Peter Lussa

  
  

These appointments ensure stable leadership and continuity.

Committee assignments were updated to better align with board members’ expertise, and the next board meeting was rescheduled to December 10.

Contract Agreement With Educators

A significant development this month was the approval of a three-year contract with the Pomfret Certified Educators Association (PCEA), covering July 2026–June 2029. Key features include:

• 13% total salary increase, aligned with regional norms

• A structure designed to help Pomfret stay competitive in hard-to-fill roles such as speech-language pathology

• A continued 12-step pay scale with flexibility in shortage areas

Both the board and administration praised the collaborative interest-based bargaining process and emphasized the benefits for long-term staffing stability.

Budget Pressures & Financial Planning

Budget discussions dominated much of the meeting, especially around special education costs, which are projected to rise 6–8%—mirroring trends across the region.

Key financial notes:

• The district is currently over budget in special education by about $350,000, largely due to out-of-district placements and transportation.

• The state’s Excess Cost Grant is expected to reimburse roughly $601,000 in March 2026, which will help offset some of this pressure.

• The board emphasized that roughly 75–80% of the school budget is fixed, leaving limited room for reductions without impacting core services.

To improve coordination across town government, the Board of Education plans to meet jointly in January with the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen to align budgeting expectations early.

Tuition costs at Woodstock Academy continue to rise 2–3% yearly, while town budget increases have been closer to 1.5–2%, creating long-term strain on per-student funding.

Curriculum, Programs & Student Support

Pomfret continues making progress updating instructional materials and professional development:

• Updated state-aligned curriculum materials are being implemented in math, science, computer science, ELA, social studies, and financial literacy.

• Teachers are receiving training through partnerships with WestEd and Amplify, including winter workshops for K–4 science and literacy.

• Staff are participating in Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training to strengthen de-escalation and crisis-response skills.

The district confirmed that no major unexpected curriculum expenses are anticipated beyond required literacy materials.

Facilities & Capital Projects

The Facilities Committee reported ongoing challenges related to aging infrastructure and limited funding:

• A proposed HVAC upgrade, estimated at about $500,000, will receive only around $10,000 in utility reimbursement.

• Funding options being explored include a state construction grant (44% reimbursement) or a no-interest loan through Eversource.

• The board is considering forming a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation to raise money for capital projects such as playground improvements and to increase access to grants.

Recent maintenance updates included the early completion of Woodstock Academy’s gym floor repairs, reopening the facility ahead of schedule.

Community Engagement & Communication

The board highlighted improvements in communication with families—particularly around bullying, crisis reporting, and budget transparency. Quarterly budget updates will continue, and parent notifications will be sent via email to reduce printing costs.

Board members also emphasized the importance of:

• Clear communication to reduce misinformation

• Following proper legal and ethical protocols

• Upcoming training on FOIA and electronic communication rules

  
  

The board chair reaffirmed a commitment to maintaining respectful dialogue and supporting an open, transparent environment for residents.

Why This Matters

Pomfret is navigating rising costs, staffing pressures, and aging facilities—challenges shared by many small towns. The board’s efforts to plan ahead, update curriculum, strengthen communication, and explore new funding avenues will shape how well the district can sustain high-quality services while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

I am sharing this information as Kathleen Sposato in my personal capacity. I am not speaking on behalf of the Pomfret Board of Education, nor am I acting as its official spokesperson. The views, summaries, and opinions expressed here are my own and do not represent the positions, statements, or policies of the Board of Education or its members.