Superintendent: Literacy Night success; Board of Selectmen move roof referendum forward; district reports attendance dip
June 29, 2026 | Winchester School District, School Districts, Connecticut
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At the Feb. 10 Winchester Public Schools Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Luby highlighted recent district events, staffing updates and preliminary budget steps.
Dr. Luby reported that Literacy Night, funded by a Dollar General grant, provided each attending student with a book. She also noted the Pearson Drone Team participated in its first competition alongside high school students. The Board of Selectmen has approved moving forward with a referendum on the roof project; Dr. Luby presented that update to the board. The Pearson principal position has been posted and the district plans to survey families and staff as part of the selection process.
On district metrics, Dr. Luby said the overall January attendance rate was 93.1%, below the 95% goal, and Pearson School’s chronic absenteeism rate was 16.9%. On food service, Dr. Luby reported a decrease in students taking breakfast in the second quarter after breakfast service moved from classrooms to the cafeteria and said the change in location and the quality of breakfast, "including the presence of many sugary items," may have contributed to the decline.
Liaison reports included Head of School Michael Susi presenting the Gilbert School proposed budget to the Gilbert School Board; that board planned to meet Feb. 11 to decide whether the proposed budget passes.
Board chair Kurt Werner encouraged parents to engage in the budget process, urging families "to show their support, be vocal, and take the time to understand the budget." Board member Christine Rylander requested the board revisit the district Facebook page as a future agenda item.
What’s next: The finance committee continues work on the budget and will bring a finalized proposal forward. The Gilbert School board will determine its budget outcome at its Feb. 11 meeting; district searches and surveys related to the Pearson principal posting will proceed as described by the superintendent.
Dr. Luby reported that Literacy Night, funded by a Dollar General grant, provided each attending student with a book. She also noted the Pearson Drone Team participated in its first competition alongside high school students. The Board of Selectmen has approved moving forward with a referendum on the roof project; Dr. Luby presented that update to the board. The Pearson principal position has been posted and the district plans to survey families and staff as part of the selection process.
On district metrics, Dr. Luby said the overall January attendance rate was 93.1%, below the 95% goal, and Pearson School’s chronic absenteeism rate was 16.9%. On food service, Dr. Luby reported a decrease in students taking breakfast in the second quarter after breakfast service moved from classrooms to the cafeteria and said the change in location and the quality of breakfast, "including the presence of many sugary items," may have contributed to the decline.
Liaison reports included Head of School Michael Susi presenting the Gilbert School proposed budget to the Gilbert School Board; that board planned to meet Feb. 11 to decide whether the proposed budget passes.
Board chair Kurt Werner encouraged parents to engage in the budget process, urging families "to show their support, be vocal, and take the time to understand the budget." Board member Christine Rylander requested the board revisit the district Facebook page as a future agenda item.
What’s next: The finance committee continues work on the budget and will bring a finalized proposal forward. The Gilbert School board will determine its budget outcome at its Feb. 11 meeting; district searches and surveys related to the Pearson principal posting will proceed as described by the superintendent.
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