Board hears Board of Education liaison email on new superintendent and school-project status

The Cromwell Board of Finance on Tuesday received a Board of Education liaison's email announcing leadership changes and an update on the town's school construction project.

Chair read the statement from Board of Education liaison Katharine Russ saying the district selected Mike Lucas of Oxford, Massachusetts, as its next superintendent; Dr. Mackey will retire June 30. Because Lucas cannot begin until late July, the email said Ramsey Binnington, principal at Woodside Intermediate School, will serve as interim superintendent during the transition. The liaison also announced Peter Colicino as the new Cromwell Middle School principal and noted the district is continuing searches for a director of finance, transportation and food services; Chris Butwill is scheduled to retire June 30 after two years in that combined role.

Chair also read that Cromwell High School's track resurfacing project is underway and expected to be finished by July 10. The email said the district is involved in a dispute with Harper Public Schools over three years of open-choice reimbursements and that expansion of the open-choice program is paused until the issue is resolved.

Later in the meeting, the board's building committee gave a monthly update on the school construction project, saying most trade contracts have closed and that the town expects the project to go to state audit by the end of the calendar year for final payment. Committee members estimated an unencumbered balance on the project of roughly $5 million before remaining solar-panel payments; they discussed options for any leftover funds, compliance with debt-prepayment restrictions and the process for state audit and reimbursement.

Committee members also noted minor outstanding items (shelving, field fencing and punch-list work) and said the new multipurpose field may be held for fall use to allow turf and landscaping to settle. The board did not take an action to reallocate any remaining project funds at the meeting; members asked staff to report back with documentation and any constraints tied to the state audit process.