Board honors student award winners and retiring staff; students and retirees recognized

The Cheshire Board of Education opened the meeting with student reports highlighting athletic and musical accomplishments, a middle‑school Washington, D.C. trip, and other end‑of‑year activities. Student representatives (speakers 7, 8, 10 and 11) described team finishes at state competitions, concerts, induction into the National Junior Honor Society, and senior obligations; board members thanked the students for monthly reports and leadership.

Kevin Hanlon (speaker 15), identified as Cheshire High School principal, introduced Bradley Fang as the class of 2026 salutatorian and Suchita Srinivasan as valedictorian; Hanlon noted Suchita's academic record and selection as a U.S. Presidential Scholars semifinalist. The board recognized additional student leadership awards from CABE and other honors.

The board also honored multiple retiring staff across the district, with Kevin Hanlon and other presenters summarizing long service records for retirees at Cheshire High School and principals from other schools recognizing elementary and Norton School retirees. The presentations listed each retiree and noted collective service totals (for example, speakers referenced 158 years of service among a set of CHS retirees). The board invited retirees to the podium for recognition and concluded the recognitions with a group photo request.

No formal action was taken on recognitions; the meeting moved to audience participation and routine business afterward.