Hartford Public Schools CT, CT

Board of Education Regular Meeting

The Hartford Board of Education will hold a regular meeting with public comment, reports, and votes on several items. Key actions include naming the Hartford Public High School basketball court after Marcus Camby, relinquishing the Clark Street School building to the City of Hartford, and adopting policies on family engagement, indoor air quality, and acoustics.

• Resolution to name HPHS basketball court in honor of Marcus Camby
• Relinquishment of J.C. Clark School building at 75 Clark Street to City of Hartford
• Adoption of Policy 1110.1 on Parent, Caregiver, Family & Community Engagement
• Adoption of Policy 7230.2 on Indoor Air Quality
• Adoption of Policy 7230.3 on Acoustics

Board Retreat

The Hartford Public Schools Board is holding a retreat to discuss goals and the strategic operating plan, and to plan for the 2026-27 school year, including committee topics, retreat dates, and the legislative session. The agenda is largely discussion-oriented with no specific decisions or dollar amounts listed.

• Discussion of goals and strategic operating plan
• Planning for 2026-27 school year
• Committee/workshop topics
• Retreat dates
• Legislative session planning

Policy Committee

The Hartford Public Schools Policy Committee is meeting virtually to consider adopting three policies on second reading: parent/caregiver/family engagement, indoor air quality, and acoustics. These are the main items on the agenda, along with old business.

• Second reading and adoption of Policy 1110.1 on Parent, Caregiver, Family & Community Engagement
• Second reading and adoption of Policy 7230.2 on Indoor Air Quality
• Second reading and adoption of Policy 7230.3 on Acoustics

Committee of the Whole

The Hartford Board of Education Committee of the Whole will review and update on HOPE Academy and consider approving budget transfers for the FY26-27 fiscal year as listed in the attached log. The meeting is virtual and open to the public.

• Review and update on HOPE Academy
• Approval of FY26-27 budget transfers as listed in the attached log

Board of Education Regular Meeting

The Hartford Board of Education will vote on two contract renewals: Ready CT ($550,600) and CT RISE ($190,000), both through June 2027. The board will also consider appointing Dr. Darry Saunders as principal of Betances STEM Magnet School and Dr. Kate Dougherty as principal of University High School of Science & Engineering. Policy items include a second reading on admission placement and first readings on indoor air quality, acoustics, and family engagement policies.

• Vote on Ready CT contract continuation, not to exceed $550,600
• Vote on CT RISE contract continuation, not to exceed $190,000
• Appointment of Dr. Darry Saunders as principal of Betances STEM Magnet School
• Appointment of Dr. Kate Dougherty as principal of University High School of Science & Engineering
• First reading of policy 1110.1 on parent, caregiver, family and community engagement

Policy Committee

The Policy Committee will conduct first and second readings of several district policies. The body will also discuss requests to name school facilities after specific individuals.

• First reading of Policy 1110.1: Parent, Caregiver, Family & Community Engagement
• First reading of Policy 7230.2: Indoor Air Quality
• First reading of Policy 7230.3: Acoustics
• Second reading of Policy 5111: Admission Placement
• Naming requests for Marcus Camby (HPHS Gym Floor), Felix Karsky and Graham Martin (Bulkeley Football Field)

Committee of the Whole

The Hartford Public Schools Committee of the Whole will discuss and consider continuing two contracts: CT RISE and Ready CT for the 2026-2027 school year. Supporting documents for both items are attached to the agenda. No other substantive business is listed.

• Contract continuation for CT RISE
• Contract continuation for Ready CT

Board of Education Regular Meeting

The Hartford Board of Education will vote on the 2026-27 budget totaling $494,286,123 and approve several new contracts, including community school programs and administrative appointments. The meeting will also include committee reports and a public comment session.

• Approve 2026-27 budget of $494,286,123 with 83.1% allocated to schools and students
• Authorize $2,124,542 in community school contracts for SY 2026-27
• Approve $75,000 NEAG grant contract with LaParre Consulting for Renzulli School
• Appoint Dr. Stephanie Lockhart as Executive Director of Student Support Services
• Approve $654,206.31 contract with PowerSchool for Naviance services

Board Retreat

The Board of Education is holding a retreat to discuss the fiscal year 2027 budget. No other items are listed on the agenda.

• Discussion of FY27 budget

Finance & Audit Committee

The Hartford Public Schools Finance & Audit Committee will consider three contracts: Public Consulting Group, a PowerSchool (Naviance) amendment, and Eddi Inc. The committee will also review an update on Arbiter Pay and a monthly finance update for FY26 through April 30, 2026.

• Contract with Public Consulting Group (PCG)
• Amendment to PowerSchool (Naviance) contract for 2026-27
• Contract with Eddi Inc. for 2026-27
• Review of Arbiter Pay
• FY26 monthly finance update through April 30, 2026

Family & Community Engagement Committee

The Family & Community Engagement Committee is meeting to discuss community school contracts for the 2026-27 school year. The body will also review reports from the Welcome Center, Title I, and Family Resource Centers, and discuss the summer program plan.

• Community Schools contracts for school year 26-27
• Summer Program Plan
• School Governance Council membership report
• Welcome Center and Title I parent activities reports

Teaching & Learning Committee

The Teaching & Learning Committee will consider accepting funds from a NEAG grant for the Renzulli Academy. The committee will also receive updates on secondary and elementary teaching and learning for the third quarter.

• Acceptance of NEAG Grant funds for a 26-27 Renzulli Academy Enrichment Specialist
• Secondary Q3 teaching and learning update
• Elementary teaching and learning update

Board of Education Workshop Meeting

The Board of Education is holding a workshop meeting to conduct a School Governance Council Showcase.

• School Governance Council Showcase

Board Retreat

The Hartford Public Schools Board is holding a retreat to discuss budget planning for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The agenda includes only a discussion item with no specific proposals or decisions listed.

• Discussion of FY26 and FY27 budget

Board of Education Regular Meeting

The Hartford Board of Education will meet at Weaver High School to vote on renewing and approving multiple service contracts totaling over $9.2 million for the 2026-2027 school year. The board will also consider second readings and adoption of updated policies on smoking, fees, and drug/alcohol use, as well as approve two administrative appointments.

• Renew $134,805 contract with Relay GSE for teacher training
• Approve $171,083.88 contract with Frontline for HR services
• Renew $128,700 contract with The Hill for Literacy for reading intervention
• Adopt updated policies on smoking in schools, fees/fines, and drug/alcohol use
• Appoint Dr. Nichola Hall as Executive Director of Human Resources and Dr. Arria Coburn as Chief Academic Officer

Finance & Audit Committee

The Finance & Audit Committee will consider approving the district's E-Rate application for $3,125,966.88 in telecom, internet, and internal connection services, with the district contributing $440,503.03. The committee will also vote on contract continuations for Frontline, ParentSquare, Language Line, PowerSchool, and Open Architects. A monthly financial update through March 2026 and a FY 27 update are scheduled for discussion.

• Approval of E-Rate application for $3,125,966.88 for leased fiber, internet, wireless licenses, network switches, and battery backup units
• Contract continuation for Frontline (no dollar amount listed)
• Contract continuation for ParentSquare (no dollar amount listed)
• Contract continuation for Language Line (no dollar amount listed)
• Monthly financials through March 2026

Family & Community Engagement Committee

The Family & Community Engagement Committee will consider approving contract continuations for Hartford Performs and Community Schools for the 2026-27 school year. Members will also receive updates on the FCSSP, School Governance Council, Welcome Center, Title I programs, and Policy 1110.1 on parent involvement.

• Contract continuation approval for Hartford Performs (dollar amount not specified in agenda)
• Contract continuation approval for Community Schools for SY 26-27 (preview)
• Reports on FCSSP highlight, School Governance Council membership, Welcome Center, and Title I parent activities
• Update on Policy 1110.1 - Parent Involvement

Policy Committee

The Policy Committee will consider a proposal to rename the Bulkeley Football Field to Graham Martin. The body will also conduct second readings of policies regarding fines, fees, charges, drug and alcohol use, and smoking in school facilities.

• Proposed renaming of Bulkeley Football Field to Graham Martin
• Second reading of Policy 3250 - Fines, Fees and Charges
• Second reading of Policy 5131.6 - Drug & Alcohol Use
• Second reading of Policy 1331 - Smoking in School Facilities
• Discussion of Policy 2141 - Hiring of Superintendent

Teaching & Learning Committee

The Hartford Public Schools Teaching & Learning Committee is meeting to review and discuss several contract approvals and continuations for the 2026-2027 school year. Items include a new contract for Creative Recreation (Little Owls Playground) and continuations for The HILL for Literacy, Teach for America, RELAY (GSE), and International Alliance Group (IAG). The committee will also consider multiple special education service contracts with providers such as CT Behavioral Health, Stepping Stone, AMN Healthcare, Kings Speech, and CBS Therapy.

• Contract Approval: Creative Recreation (Little Owls Playground)
• Special Education Contracts: CT Behavioral Health, Stepping Stone, AMN Healthcare, Kings Speech, CBS Therapy
• Contract Continuation: The HILL for Literacy
• Contract Continuation: Teach for America
• Contract Continuation: RELAY (GSE) and International Alliance Group (IAG)

Board of Education Regular Meeting

The Hartford Board of Education will vote on accepting a $360,000 state grant for music programs at four schools, approve five special education service contracts totaling over $7.5 million, and consider renaming the Bulkeley High School football field after Felix Karsky. The meeting also includes reports on summer programming, magnet school placement, and policy updates on fines, parent involvement, and superintendent hiring.

• Accept $360,000 DECD grant for music instruction at Burns, Kennelly, Sand, and Naylor schools ($90,000 each)
• Approve special ed contracts: Stepping Stones Group ($4,775,685), AMN Healthcare ($880,600), Connecticut Behavioral Health ($926,072), CBS Therapy ($660,450), King's Speech ($300,000)
• Proposal to rename Bulkeley High School football field after Felix Karsky (3-month review before vote)
• Contract with UConn for two athletic trainers at $85,970 annually
• Gym floor refurbishment at Annie Fisher and Bellizzi gyms totaling $59,630

Board of Education Workshop Meeting

The Board of Education is holding a workshop session to review the proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The discussion includes an itemized list of expenditures and current fiscal period documentation.

• Proposed 2026-27 Budget Workshop

Family & Community Engagement Committee

The Family & Community Engagement Committee will review updates on events and the summer program plan. The body will also discuss the RSCO Magnet Placement Process and Healthy Food Certification.

• Healthy Food Certification
• Summer Program Plan
• RSCO Magnet Placement Process overview
• FCSSP School Spotlight and reports

Policy Committee

The Policy Committee will review a proposal to rename the Bulkeley Football Field and discuss several policy revisions. The meeting includes first readings of policies regarding fees, community involvement, and substance use. The committee will also discuss the process for hiring the superintendent.

• Proposed renaming of Bulkeley Football Field to Felix Karsky
• First reading of Policy 3250 - Fines, Fees and Charges
• First reading of Policy 5131.6 - Drug & Alcohol Use
• First reading of Policy 1331 - Smoking in School Facilities
• Discussion on Policy 2141 - Hiring of Superintendent

Teaching & Learning Committee

The Teaching & Learning Committee will decide on accepting a $360,000 state grant for music instruction at four schools and approving five special education service contracts totaling over $7.5 million. The contracts cover speech-language therapy, paraeducators, and behavioral support to address staffing shortages and meet federal special education requirements.

• $360,000 DECD grant for music instruction at SAND, Kennelly, Naylor, and Burns schools
• $4,782,240 contract with Stepping Stone Services for speech-language and paraeducator services
• $660,450 contract with CBS Therapy for speech-language services
• $880,600 contract with AMN HealthCare for speech-language services
• $926,072 contract with CT Behavioral Health for behavioral support using IDEA grant funds

Board of Education Regular Meeting

The Hartford Board of Education discussed financial challenges, including a $22 million deficit for the current fiscal year and a projected $45 million structural deficit for FY27. The board also reviewed plans to expand in-house special education programming to reduce reliance on costly out-of-district placements.

• $22M deficit reported for FY26 with $45M structural deficit projected for FY27
• $74M city fund balance discussed as potential resource for school funding
• Expansion of in-house special education programs proposed, including hiring clinical fellows
• Domus Kids contract for Hartford Juvenile Detention Center education services at $78,550
• Kindergarten admission policy updated to align with state statute (age 5 by September 1st)

Finance & Audit Committee

The Finance & Audit Committee will receive the monthly financial report through January 2026 and hear an overview of the upcoming 2026-27 budget development process. A discussion on in-house special education programming is also scheduled.

• Monthly financial report through January 2026
• FY 2026-27 budget development overview presentation
• Discussion on in-house special education programming

Family & Community Engagement Committee

The committee will receive updates on events, a school spotlight, and a mid-year partner update. Reports on the Welcome Center, School Governance Councils, and Title I activities are also scheduled for review.

• Updates/Events
• FCSSP School Spotlight
• Mid Year Partner Update
• Reports: Welcome Center, School Governance Councils, Title I

Policy Committee

The Hartford Public Schools Policy Committee will hold a first reading of a revised admission policy (5111) and discuss hiring procedures for the superintendent. The meeting is virtual on March 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

• First reading of updated Admission Policy (5111)
• Discussion on Hiring Superintendent Policy (2140)

Board of Education Workshop Meeting

The Hartford Board of Education holds a workshop to present and discuss the annual budget process. No formal decisions are scheduled; the session is informational.

Teaching & Learning Committee

The Teaching & Learning Committee will decide whether to accept $78,550 in state Title 1, Part D funds for the Hartford Juvenile Detention Center School. The funds, administered by the Hartford Board of Education, would be dispersed to DOMUS Kids, Inc. under an existing MOU. The committee will also receive a mid-year update on teaching and learning initiatives and a Connecticut State Department of Education accountability report.

• Accept $78,550 in Title 1, Part D funds for Hartford Juvenile Detention Center School
• Mid-year update on Teaching & Learning initiatives
• Connecticut State Department of Education accountability update