Glastonbury Board of Education: Shaping the Future of Education in Glastonbury, Connecticut
The Glastonbury Board of Education plays a vital role in overseeing the Glastonbury Public Schools, ensuring that students receive a high-quality education and that the district operates effectively. This article delves into the structure, responsibilities, and key aspects of the Glastonbury Board of Education, including its members, committees, election processes, and ongoing initiatives.
Overview of Glastonbury Public Schools
Glastonbury Public Schools is committed to creating caring learning environments that support all students to achieve their highest potential. The district attracts top educators and staff, leading with relationships and providing the training, resources, and support necessary for success. The district theme, "Be Kind, Be Curious, Be Well," inspires the members of the Glastonbury Public Schools community.
Glastonbury Public Schools provides educational opportunities without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, civil air patrol status, age, or disability. The district does not permit or condone discrimination based on these factors in employment matters or assignment in programs or services provided. Glastonbury Public Schools believes in fostering a community where equity is a lived reality. The district is committed to creating an educational system that is just and responsive, providing opportunities, support, and access for all members of the school community to thrive through intentional policies and inclusive practices.
Board of Education Members and Structure
The Glastonbury Board of Education consists of elected members who represent the community's interests in overseeing the school district. The current members of the Glastonbury Public Schools Board of Education are: Douglas Foyle, Julie Thompson, Kali Cavanaugh, Alison Couture, Jennifer Faust, Jenn Jennings, David Peniston, and Matt Saunig.
In addition to the elected members, Glastonbury High School has student representatives: Amalia Baird, Class of 2027 and Ariana Stevenson, Class of 2027, and Taylor Balthazar, Class of 2028.
Read also: Learning at Glastonbury
The Board of Education can be contacted through the Central Office at 860-652-7961 for routine phone calls.
Board of Education Committees
The Board of Education operates through several committees, each focusing on specific areas of responsibility. These committees include:
- Budget: Responsible for overseeing the school district's budget and financial matters. Members: Thompson, Peniston, Cavanaugh (Foyle, Ex-officio).
- Personnel: Deals with personnel matters, including hiring, evaluation, and professional development of staff. Members: Couture, Saunig, Jennings (Foyle, Ex-officio).
- Communications: Focuses on communication strategies and community engagement. Members: Saunig, Couture, Cavanaugh (Foyle, Ex-officio).
- Curriculum: Oversees the development and implementation of the school district's curriculum. Members: Peniston, Thompson, Faust (Foyle, Ex-officio).
- Policy Review: Reviews and updates school district policies. Members: Saunig, Peniston, Faust (Foyle, Ex-officio).
- Facilities: Addresses issues related to school facilities, including maintenance, renovation, and construction. Members: Couture, Thompson, Jennings (Foyle, Ex-officio), Jennifer Wang (Town Council Representative).
In addition to these standing committees, the Board of Education also has liaison representatives to various community organizations, including:
- CABE: Matt Saunig
- CREC: Julie Thompson
- PTSO Council: Julie Thompson
- Public Buildings Commission: Jenn Jennings
- Youth and Family Services Commission: Kali Cavanaugh
- Education Foundation: Julie Thompson
Board of Education Meetings and Public Input
The Board of Education holds regular meetings to discuss and make decisions on important matters related to the school district. The Board sets aside thirty (30) minutes for public comments, with comments limited to 3 minutes per speaker, and each person may speak only once. Each speaker must start by stating their name and address. There is a sign-up sheet in the back of the room. In-person meetings are held in the Town Hall Town Council Chambers, 2155 Main Street, Glastonbury, unless otherwise noted on the Board of Education Meeting webpage and the Board Meeting agenda. Written comments can be submitted using a form before 12 noon on the meeting day.
School Board Elections in Connecticut
School board elections in Connecticut are generally held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November every two years in odd-numbered years. However, the governing body of a town can opt to hold elections on the first Monday in May every two years in odd-numbered years. As of 2023, two towns held May elections, and the remaining towns held November elections.
Read also: Constraints on Georgia's Education Board
School board primary elections in Connecticut are held 56 days before the general elections every two years in odd-numbered years, which means primary elections are held in early September for November general elections or in early March for May general elections. Primary elections are only held if more than one candidate is running as the nominee of any one political party.
School board members in Connecticut are elected through a system of a partisan primary and partisan general election. State law allows local charters and special acts to control many aspects of school board elections. There is a process for a political party to endorse a candidate. If any candidates seeking to challenge the party-endorsed candidate of a major party file sufficient signature petitions or file after being selected by 15% of a party convention, a partisan primary election is held to determine the major party's nominee in the general election. A partisan primary is also held if a major party does not endorse a candidate and more than one candidate files nominating petitions to run as members of that party. For minor party candidates, the party nomination process is determined by the party's rules. Some school districts have appointed boards of education, or a combination of elected and appointed boards.
School board elections in Connecticut are partisan, which means party labels do appear on the ballot for school board candidates. State law restricts the number of newly elected board members that can be affiliated with the same political party. When an even number of seats are up for election, not more than half of newly elected board members can be of the same political party. When an odd number of seats are up, not more than a simple majority (half + 1 member) of newly elected members can be of the same political party. State law also limits the total number of members of any board, commission, legislative body, or committee that are members of the same political party.
In a major party primary election race, the candidate or candidates that receive the most votes are selected as that party's nominees in the general election. By default, only the number of nominees equal to the number of open seats members of that party are eligible to fill in the general election as limited by minority representation requirements advance to the general election.
The school board candidates that receive the most votes in the partisan general election are elected to an office subject to the minority representation requirement restrictions. The minority party representation requirements are established either by limiting the number of candidates any given voter can vote for or by limiting the number of candidates that can be elected from one party. Limitations for school board elections can be applied at the primary election stage or the general election stage.
Read also: Highlights of the recent BOE meeting
The lengths of school board terms in Connecticut vary depending on the district and whether there is a local charter or special act governing term lengths. State statute allows for terms of two, three, four, or six years for town-specific districts. Statute sets four-year terms for board members of regional school districts formed through the combination of two or more towns. Rules governing school board term length and the staggering of elections for different school board seats vary widely in Connecticut.
For school districts serving individual towns, board members are elected at large by voters in the whole town. For regional school districts formed through the combination of two or more towns, board members are by default elected by voters in each town to represent that town on the regional board of education.
For school districts that hold November elections, any candidates that wish to challenge a major party-endorsed candidate or appear on the ballot in a major party's primary if that party does not endorse municipal candidates must file nominating petitions by 34 days before the September primary election, which means the filing deadline is in early August. For school districts that hold May elections, any candidates that wish to challenge a major party-endorsed candidate or appear on the ballot in a major party's primary if that party does not endorse municipal candidates must file nominating petitions by 34 days before the March primary election, which means the filing deadline is in late January or early February.
State statute says that newly elected municipal officers, including school board members, officially take office within 70 days of the election. The specific day within that 70-day timeline is left to local laws.
Current Initiatives and Programs
The Glastonbury Board of Education is currently involved in several important initiatives and programs, including:
- Facilities Planning: The Board of Education's current long-term facilities plan is set to expire in 2027. A new 10-year plan for school space is under development. The new plan will address short and long-term solutions to elementary school space issues and the need to modernize many of our schools through building renovations. The Board is still in the early research stage, and no decisions have been made.
- Choose Love, Not Hate Campaign: The Board aspires to build a communityâat home, in schools, and within greater Glastonburyâwhere every individual is embraced, valued, and empowered to contribute positively through the "Choose Love, Not Hate" campaign.
- Music Education: Glastonbury Public Schools has been recognized by the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education with a Best Communities for Music Education designation since 2013.
- 6-12 Tech Guidelines: New guidelines for grade 6-12 iPad use are in place for the 2025-2026 school year, complementing those in place for grades K-5.
- Kindergarten Registration: Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year is open if a child meets the age requirement. Kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year will open in early January 2026.
Opportunities to Join the Glastonbury Public Schools Team
Glastonbury Public Schools is actively seeking day-to-day substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, tutors, and bus/van drivers. The district looks to attract the best employees and to expand the diversity of its faculty and staff. Applications are accepted online. Hard copies will not be accepted. The on-line application requires a cover letter, resume, three letters of reference, copy of CT teaching certificate, and transcripts.
tags: #glastonbury #board #of #education
