THE LATEST MEETING UPDATES

  (Full meeting minutes and other BOE info can be found on the district site here.)

July 14 Meeting:

On July 14 the Board heard a Facilities Capacity Presentation from MP Planning Group, which looked at current conditions and trends and evaluated options for the future, recommending a three phase approach.

In Phase 1, a new elementary school, North School, would be built. This phase will cost between $98 - $109 million (potential reimbursement from the state of between $8 - $9 million) and would be completed at the earliest in fall 2030. In Phase 2, the three existing elementary schools would be renovated and modernized and would move to a grades K-5 alignment. This phase is projected to be completed in fall of 2031 and would cost between $75 - $196 million (the current cost estimates are broad because detailed assessments of building conditions and needs have not yet been completed) with a potential state contribution of $4 million - $10 million. In Phase 3, the lower level of Saxe Middle School would be renovated to house the Pre-K program (currently at West) and districtwide central offices. Saxe would move to a grades 6 - 8 alignment. This phase would cost between $18 - $21 million, with a potential $3 million contribution from the state, and would be completed at the earliest in fall of 2031.

Only one undeveloped town-owned lot of land, the Clark Property located on Smith Ridge Road, was identified as being large enough to support a new elementary school. Redistricting will need to occur to balance enrollment at the four schools. The new attendance zones would be finalized in fall of 2029 and it is expected that they will result in shorter bus rides for students.

The rationale for building a new elementary school and renovating the existing elementary schools included an analysis of current and projected building utilization rates, the length of time since the existing schools were last renovated (1997), and the goal of moving to a K-5 and 6-8 grade configuration, consistent with peer districts. While a building utilization rate between 90-95% is ideal, East School is currently already at 99.6% utilization. NCPS is projected to see elementary enrollment grow by 9% (140 students) over the next six years, which will increase utilization rates at West and East Schools to over 100% and bring South School's utilization rate up to 97%. Utilization rates this high would have operational impacts including larger class sizes and the need for shared rooms for specialists. Renovating the three existing schools would bring them into parity with the new North School and would also align these facilities to the district's current 21st century educational program and needs, including spaces designed to meet the needs of an increasing number of special education students. The presenters also noted that peer districts, including Westport and Darien, have each recently invested in building new elementary schools.

The Board also heard an update regarding hiring for the 2025/26 school year, learning that 32 certified hires had occurred across the district. The Board also accepted a donation from the New Canaan Rams All Sports Booster Club in the amount of $7,000 to support a new scoreboard at Dunning Stadium. The Board then approved, as a first reading the 2025-26 District Goals and Objectives and the 2025-26 BOE Meeting Schedule.

August 18 Meeting:

The Board met again on August 18 and heard an update regarding the DOME at NCHS, which opened under 2 years ago. This past year, the DOME has been increasingly utilized in school curriculums and also by the community. The DOME will soon receive a major software upgrade which will allow the district to expand its elementary school offerings so that more students can engage with the DOME at earlier ages. The software will also allow for more community engagement (for example, public shows) and will further support students in developing and creating their own content such as music, arts, and video games.

The Board approved, as a second reading, the 2025-2026 District Goals and Objectives. The five main goals continue to be: student learning, communications, teacher quality, climate and safety, and stewardship. The Board then approved an amended BOE Calendar of Meetings for 2026.