Ridgefield BOE Panel Advances Policy Overhaul, Recommends New Safety Rule

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — The Ridgefield Board of Education Policy Committee on March 27 advanced a series of policy changes, recommending multiple repeals, updates and the adoption of a new school safety policy aligned with recent state law.

The committee also voted to delay review of two policies to allow additional time for evaluation.

Several Policies Recommended for Repeal

Committee members agreed to recommend repealing several older policies deemed no longer necessary or legally required as part of an ongoing audit conducted with legal counsel Shipman & Goodwin.

Co-Chair Christine More said policies governing student roles and goals, adopted in 2011, are outdated and no longer needed.

“Our recommendation is to follow our legal counsel’s recommendation … to repeal it,” Superintendent Susie Da Silva said, noting older policies can create confusion when they remain in circulation.

The committee also recommended repealing a policy on vandalism by minors, stating that the issue is already addressed in the district’s broader student discipline policy and student handbook.

Members emphasized that removing the policy would not eliminate consequences for misconduct.

“It’s not legally required, but … it’s important to provide notice of potential consequences,” More said, pointing to existing disciplinary language.

Athletic Event Behavior Regulation to Be Rescinded

The committee agreed to rescind a regulation governing behavior at athletic events after determining its provisions are already covered under an existing, legally required policy adopted last year.

The issue had previously caused confusion because the document was initially treated as a policy rather than a regulation.

Da Silva said expectations for conduct are already clearly defined.

“This particular policy … does cover behavior,” she said, adding that operational details are also outlined in student handbooks.

Updated Foreign Exchange Student Policy

The committee recommended adopting an updated policy governing foreign exchange students, reflecting current district practices and legal guidance.

The revised policy maintains the district’s ability to host exchange students while allowing flexibility through accompanying regulations to manage enrollment and class size impacts.

New School Safety Policy Required by Law

A significant portion of the meeting focused on adopting a new school security and safety policy — designated as Policy 1310 — required under a 2025 state law mandating updated protocols, including procedures for interactions with federal immigration authorities.

The new policy replaces an existing 2023 policy that does not meet current legal requirements.

Ridgefield Public Schools Director of Security Josh Zabin said the district is already up to code, noting that the district annually submits its all-hazards safety plan to state officials and reviews it with local emergency responders.

Board members said the policy formalizes procedures already in place across schools.

Visitor Policy Updated

The committee also recommended updates to a policy governing visitors in schools, incorporating new legal requirements and clarifying procedures for building access.

Changes include updated language on designated sign-in areas and protocols tied to recent legislation.

Administrators said current practices already align with the proposed updates.

Two Policies Deferred

The committee voted to move two items — a policy on administration of medication and a policy governing board budget procedures — to its April meeting for further review.

Next Steps

All recommended changes will be forwarded to the full Board of Education for a first reading. The committee is expected to continue its policy review process at its next meeting in April.