By Josh LaBella
Voice Reporter
It was a mixed bag at last week’s Board of Education meeting with budget matters topping the agenda, as well as other, less pressing, but important issues on the docket.
Superintendent of Schools Neil Cavallaro discussed the BOE budget for the year. He said last week they presented their budget to the Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB) and it was well received. He said he does expect their budget will be flat-funded by the city. But he had some other news.
He said after they released their budget, Gov. Ned Lamont released his – which could result in some changes. But those changes might not be all bad.
“Being one of the 33 Alliance Districts, right now there’s a pretty good possibility that we are going to receive about $2 million, which is more than what our request is,” he said.
The Alliance District program is a state program which directs funding to the lowest performing districts in Connecticut. Cavallaro said while the budget is subject to a vote of approval by the state legislature, it looks as if the school system will receive a “decent increase.”
During Wednesday’s Board meeting the panel recognized WHHS junior Justin Bracero, who scored in the top 2.5 percent nationwide on the PSAT. They also spoke to Anthony Cordone about the plans for this year’s art showcase.
Cavallaro said Bracero has taken all of his courses at the honors or AP level, which he called “quite an accomplishment.” He said teachers described Bracero as humble, bright, diligent and genuine among a number of other accolades. He told the Bracero family they should know what a fine young man they have.
Cavallaro then invited Anthony Cordone to come speak about the status of the Fine Arts Festival. He said while the Savin Rock Conference Center is usually used as the venue for the event, the location is not available this year due to its condition.
“He [Cordone] had to make some backup arrangements but we didn’t want you to think that we didn’t have a plan,” said Cavallaro. “He really did a good job at organizing some of the events that are taking place this year.”
According to Cavallaro, next year they plan on using the grand entrance in the new high school building. Cordone said festival is the culmination of all the work of the art department and the fine arts department.
“It’s the collection of the exemplary art of students,” said Cordone. “They are chosen by their quality and they are presented at the festival. The parents and the public are invited to come see it and students are given awards for their accomplishments.”
Cordone said due to the conference center being structurally unsound they had to find an alternate space. He said due to the space and parking needs the event required they decided that each school will host their own event within their own buildings. He said in the future they would like to hold the event in the new high school.
“West Haven High School would be the perfect location for it because they have the facility where they can display the exhibit,” said Cordone. “Plus they have the performance rooms for the band and the chorus to also perform. It would be a spectacular event. That’s also something to plan for in the future.”
The board also voted to approve a new school system calendar. In the calendar, school will not be in session on West Haven’s primary election day in September.