Region 14 Superintendent: Public Input Lacking in Safety Discussion

"Dear Parents and Citizens:

As we continue to reflect on the Sandy Hook tragedy just over one hundred days ago, I wanted to express my appreciation for those who have attended our follow-up Safety/Security updates at each of our schools.

However, it’s disappointing to note fewer than 30 parents have attended all three meetings combined. With one final meeting scheduled on April 9 at Nonnewaug High School, we need to be sure the community has not lost its resolve in ensuring the events of Sandy Hook would unite us in the fundamental belief that our children are our most precious assets and must feel safe and cared for.

Our follow-ups have provided members of the Board of Education, law enforcement, administration, mental health personnel, town officials and me an opportunity to provide you with information related to the safety assessments performed at each of our buildings and aspects of the overall safety enhancement planning currently underway.

On March 26, the Region’s Ad Hoc Safety/Security Committee met again to review the outcomes of the safety assessments, police walk-throughs and other strategies related to mitigation, infrastructure enhancements, communications upgrades, access controls, and our continuing efforts in working collectively with law enforcement, emergency management, and town officials. In addition, the Committee gave its full support to ensure each of our four schools has a designated School Resource Officer. As the Board of Education puts the final touches on its budget and prepares to present it to the elected officials in both communities for input tonight, April 1, it is more important than ever for you to understand all aspects of Region 14’s budget as it relates to improving instruction and ensuring the safety and security of all members of our school community.

Our Region 14 Board of Education, leadership team, and staff need your continuous involvement and support to move our schools forward. In a matter of a year, our students will be taking computer adaptive standardized assessments measuring the extent to which they have mastered key skills prescribed in the Common Core State Standards, requiring a virtual overhaul in how we teach, align our curriculum, and assess our students. In addition, our teachers and administrators next year will be evaluated partially on the extent to which all students demonstrate growth on standardized measures of performance, and our district will receive an index (District Performance Index) number as a metric to measure our success. While we are committed to meeting the significant challenges before us, I cannot express how important it is for you to get involved by attending meetings, reading the materials posted on our website, and voting.

I am hopeful we will see a large group at Nonnewaug High School’s Safety/Security follow-up meeting on April 9 at 7 p.m. in the library."

Upcoming Budget Meetings

April 8, 7 p.m., at Mitchell Elementary School, the Board of Education presents its budget to both communities. (Last year there were fewer than ten members of the public in attendance.) With feedback from the towns' officials, parents, community members and Budget Survey results, the Board will formally adopt its budget. [Editor's Note: The starting time was changed from 6:30 to 7 p.m., per the Region 14 BOE Central Office].

May 6 is the Annual/District Meeting on the budget. (Time and place to be determined)

May 7 is the budget referendum. (Last year our budget was defeated twice before it was finally passed with a 0.63 percent increase eliminating instructional supports, capital improvements and safety and security enhancements.)

"We look forward to seeing all of you at these upcoming meetings," Goeler said in the letter. "Our students need to know their community values them and understands they are our most precious resource. The work we have in front of us is too important to lose intensity or focus. It’s a privilege for me to be a part of this effort."