Board of Education

Superintendent Proposes 3.94% Operating Increase for FY27

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Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Luizzi on Monday night proposed a New Canaan Public Schools spending plan of $118.2 million for next academic year. The figure represents an approximately $4.5 million or 3.94% increase over current spending. 

Within the proposed operating budget increase, the single largest change is in salaries, up approximately $3.5 million, or 4.88%, over total salary costs projected for the current fiscal year. At about $98 million, salaries and benefits make up 82.8% of all operating costs in the proposed budget, Luizzi told members of the Board of Education at their regular meeting, held in the Wagner Room at New Canaan High School and via videoconference. (Within the 3.94% year-over-year increase, 85% represents salaries and benefits, he said.)

“It’s important to note that the majority of our budget is dedicated to staff,” Luizzi said. 

He added: “The budget itself is an investment. Some people think of the budget as an expense. This is an investment.

Board of Education

‘Our Deepest Gratitude’: Board of Ed Wishes Penny Rashin the Best After 18 Years of Service

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Calling her a staunch advocate for New Canaan Public Schools students who brought collegiality, expertise, generosity and support to the role, members of the Board of Education last week wished their longest-serving colleague farewell. Penny Rashin, who is not seeking re-election, leaves the school district “an extraordinary legacy of service” after 18 years on the Board of Ed, according to Chair Hugo Alves. “Penny, on behalf of the entire board and the community you’ve served so tirelessly,” Alves said during the school board’s regular meeting, held Oct. 20 in the Wagner Room at New Canaan High School. “I want to express our deepest gratitude.

News

District Addresses Transportation Woes Amid Successful Start at Public Schools

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Though a problem with a bus routing software that’s new to the district has caused “significant transportation challenges,” the superintendent of schools said last week, it didn’t take away from the positive energy and learning that students experienced at the start of the school year. “Our students are engaged, our teachers are energized,” Dr. Bryan Luizzi told members of the Board of Education during their regular meeting, held Sept. 2 in the Wagner Room at New Canaan High School. He continued: “It’s really wonderful and we’ve been out and about throughout the week in the buildings to see that firsthand. That being said, though, I also want to acknowledge that we’ve had some significant transportation challenges this past week.

News

‘A Remarkable Resource’: ‘The Dome’ at NCHS Provides Students With Unique Learning Opportunity

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“The Dome,” New Canaan High School’s new immersive learning theater—a space formerly known as “the planetarium”—saw a surge in usage last year as it became a center of the district’s learning, officials say. The Board of Education received an update on The Dome’s growth and future plans at its Monday meeting. “The Dome has become a remarkable resource for our faculty and staff, transforming the way that we explore, learn, and connect,” NCHS Director of Innovation Melinda Meyer told board members at their regular meeting, held in the Wagner Room at NCHS and via YouTube. “In its first full year, The Dome hosted experiences that inspired curiosity across disciplines, sparked collaboration among teachers, and immersed students in learning that felt both personal and shared,” Meyer said as she began her presentation. The Dome officially opened in the spring of 2024.

Around Town

‘We Need To Think about How We Can Close That Gap’: BHA Shares Community Health and Well-Being Survey Results

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Though a high percentage of New Canaanites responding to a recent survey say they live in financial comfort, with most participating in high numbers in sports and faith-based groups and volunteering generously, nearly half (47%) are unsure or unaware of where to seek help for mental health issues, officials say. And an even higher percentage of respondents (55%) don’t know where to seek help for substance use issues, according to the widely anticipated results of the 2024 Community Health and Well-Being Survey. “We do understand that we don’t expect there to be 100% awareness around all of these issues, as most people would go seek help when they’re faced with that particular issue,” Nina Chanana of Chanana Consulting told about 100 people who attended the first public presentation of survey results, held Monday night in the Jim & Dede Bartlett Auditorium at New Canaan Library. 

She continued: “But we did feel that there were opportunities to raise awareness for some of the supports that are out here in New Canaan. … Those residents who indicated their concern about their own substance use were less likely to be aware of the supports around substance misuse available to them when compared to those who did not have any concerns. Respondents who reported poor mental health were also less likely to be aware of supports for adult mental health services in New Canaan than those who reported ‘strong’ or ‘good’ mental health.