New London board approves consent agenda, refers recodified student wellness policy back to committee

The New London Board of Education approved its consent agenda and several policy items at its Nov. 24 business meeting, and referred a recodified student wellness policy back to the Policy Committee for further clarification.

President Elaine Maynard‑Adams moved, and Secretary Nathan Caron seconded, to approve the consent agenda, which included line‑item transfers recommended by the Finance & Audit Committee and the first readings of Policy 3542.41 and Policy 3542.22 related to food service personnel; that motion passed unanimously, 6‑0. Earlier in the meeting the board approved the Nov. 10 minutes on a 4‑0‑2 tally, with Vice‑President Karen Bergin and Secretary Nathan Caron recorded as abstaining.

The board considered recodifying Policy 6142.2 (Student Wellness) as Policy 6142.101 (Student Nutrition and Physical Activity) for a first reading. Board member Susan Hambey said she "thought the committee membership listing seemed confusing" and asked how the revised information would be communicated to teachers and substitutes. After discussion, a motion by Scott Garbini, seconded by Nathan Caron, referred the recodified policy back to the Policy Committee for further discussion; the referral carried 6‑0.

Separately, the board approved Policy 6142.10 (Health Education Program) for its first reading on a 6‑0 vote. Board members confirmed that wording about the elementary grade span ("elementary" vs. "K‑5") was acceptable and that a sentence about nutritious food on page two should remain.

Other formal actions taken at the meeting included the routine approval of line‑item transfers and the unanimous adjournment motion at 9:00 p.m. The presentations on athletics and after‑school programs were noted; full copies of those presentations are available on request from the district office.

Votes and formal actions recorded at the meeting included: approval of Nov. 10 minutes (motion by Scott Garbini; seconded by Susan Hambey) — carried 4‑0‑2 (Bergin and Caron abstained); consent agenda approval (motion by Elaine Maynard‑Adams; seconded by Nathan Caron) — carried 6‑0; referral of recodified Policy 6142.101 to Policy Committee for further clarification (motion by Scott Garbini; seconded by Nathan Caron) — carried 6‑0; approval of Policy 6142.10 for first reading (motion by Susan Hambey; seconded by Scott Garbini) — carried 6‑0; motion to adjourn (motion by Scott Garbini; seconded by Susan Hambey) — carried 6‑0.

The board did not receive any public comment at this meeting. Further discussion and any subsequent readings or revisions to the recodified student nutrition policy will be handled by the Policy Committee.