East Granby Board of Education Discusses Impact of New State Legislation

The East Granby Board of Education covered a lot of ground at its meeting Monday night, approving a capital request for about 65 new computers needed by the district, and discussing new state legislation that affects the way the district operates.

The new acts impacting East Granby schools, passed during the most recent state legislative session, are numerous. More than 20 pieces of legislation affect the way the district goes about its work in numerous ways, with some having significant, short-term results on public schools in East Granby and throughout the state.

An Act Concerning Education Reform (Public Act 12-116) increases the educational standards for teachers, requiring applicants for professional certificates to hold a relevant master’s degree instead of the previously required 30 credits of coursework beyond a bachelor’s degree. This change has a “critical impact” on East Granby schools, according to Superintendent Christine Mahoney.

“We rely on our teachers having multiple certifications,” she said.

The change means qualified teachers will cost more to hire and the district will require more teachers to fill the holes left by the increased standards. Mahoney said the legislation is laden with problems, and could, for example, force an increase in a staff of 25 teachers to about 30, requiring more money to be spent. The act may also create a shortage of teachers in already hard to fill areas.

“The legislature never seems to consider the impact on smaller districts,” said board chair Kirby Huget.

Amongst the many other challenges presented in act 12-116, additional professional and student assessments for kindergarten through third grade are included as part of a new early literacy program. Superintendent Christine Mahoney pointed out the benefits of the program but also said the additional professional assessment means the district will have to provide substitute teachers for an additional day starting July 2013.

The act also requires school districts to provide information about magnet schools and other alternative education options on its website, which could contribute to more students leaving the district but requiring the school system to pay part of the cost per student for the out-of-town options.

Another part of the act requires the creation of a structured physical education period for kindergarteners.