The Region 15 Board of Education will meet on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pomperaug High School Media Center. 

Agenda highlights include:

Student Recognition

• Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) Awards
• Litchfield County Superintendent Awards
• Western Connecticut Superintendent Awards
• CAS Middle Leader Scholar Awards
• 5th Congressional District Essay Winner

Additional items

• Approval of April 27, 2026 meeting minutes
• PES/GES Update and ED Specs
• LMES Roof Replacement Results 

Action Items include approval of final plans and cost estimates for the Solar installation at Long Meadow Elementary School.

Community members are encouraged to attend in person or tune in live and participate during the public comment portion.

May 11, 2026 Agenda
May 11, 2026 Minutes
May 11, 2026 Meeting Video

The Region 15 Board of Education will meet on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pomperaug High School Media Center. 

Agenda highlights include:

• Student Recognition – Celebrating our Book Bowl winners
• Southbury Strategic Plan Presentation – Presented by Ms. Marion Manzo
• Finance & Facilities Update – Ms. Shannon Cavallo
• PES/GES Building Update – Superintendent Joshua Smith

Additional items:

• Approval of April 6, 2026 meeting minutes
• Board Member Comments
• Comments from Citizens

Action Items include Approval of International Field Trips for Summer 2027:

• Italy (June 29 – July 8)
• Australia & New Zealand (July 8 – July 19)
• Austria, Czech Republic, Germany & Switzerland (July 2 – July 26)

Community members are encouraged to attend in person or tune in live and participate during the public comment portion.

April 27, 2026 Board of Education Meeting Agenda
April 27, 2026 Board of Education Meeting Video
 

Superintendent Smith notes the following regarding the questions posed by the referendum:

• The District’s oldest elementary schools, PES (built in 1967) and GES (built in 1941), have ongoing needs related to aging infrastructure. A significant portion of the facilities systems are now at the end of their functional lifecycle, requiring a strategy for infrastructure upgrades. To address these needs, a GES/PES feasibility study, developed with input from community leaders, Region 15 staff, and Middlebury and Southbury residents, evaluated long-term facility solutions. Following this yearlong review, the proposal to build two new schools on existing district-owned sites will be presented to residents for a referendum vote. 
• The project timeline is structured to utilize current state funding before reimbursement rates are expected to change (the rates are expected to change on/after July 1, 2026). By securing an estimated 64.2% reimbursement of eligible costs (pending state  approval), the proposal seeks to address facility conditions and long-term financial planning. 
• The school designs incorporate dedicated space for expanded preschool and specialized education programs, address district-wide elementary capacity needs, and take advantage of additional state funding that incentivizes preschool access. Additionally, site planning focuses on traffic circulation at both locations.
• The combined total project cost for building both schools is estimated to be $220 million. Based on current projections, state reimbursement will result in an estimated local share of approximately 35.8%, or $78 million, with the project accessing $142 million in state construction grants. The final tax impact will depend on factors such as bonding  structure, interest rates, and debt scheduling, and will be influenced by both state funding and existing District debt capacity.
• Financial projections presented at recent Board of Education meetings estimate the  impact on taxpayers to be approximately $7 to $14 per month for a typical household and approximately $2 to $4 per month for a typical Heritage Village condominium, with both estimates based on a 30-year bond. The proposal represents an approach to address long-term  needs, in comparison to a short-term approach of funding ongoing repairs. Executing the projects at both schools concurrently allows the District to utilize available state reimbursement rates and achieve economies of scale.
• The proposed school construction project maximizes the opportunity provided by state grant incentives, attempting to access more than $30 million in additional grant funding that would otherwise not be available to Region 15 communities.
• In addition to the construction proposal, the referendum will consider the District’s 2026–2027 school budget. The proposed budget maintains current programming, and reflects rising insurance costs. 

Board of Education Chair Manzo notes the following regarding the questions posed by the

referendum:

• The Board of Education was unanimous in its decision to move forward with this proposal to construct new schools. We are committed to providing accessible information so residents can review the details regarding this important community decision.

The referendum will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the Shepardson Community Center, 1172 Whittemore Road, Middlebury, and the Southbury Firehouse, 461 Main Street South, Southbury. 

GES PES Building Project: https://www.r15facilitiesupdate.com
Learn more 2026-27 Region 15 Budget: Region 15 Board of Education Budget Webpage 

The Region 15 Board of Education will meet on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pomperaug High School Media Center. 

Student Recognition
• PHS Winter Athletics (All State Award Recipients, PHS Boys Swim & Dive State Champions), recognition presented by Superintendent Smith 

Student Representatives
• Report from Miss Victoria Datlow and Miss Liza Murphy 

Approval of Minutes
• March 18, 2026 – Budget Workshop Minutes
• March 23, 2026 – Public Hearing Minutes
• March 23, 2026 – Regular Meeting Minutes
• March 25, 2026 – Budget Workshop Minutes 

Budget Discussion
• 2026–2027 Budget Discussion – presented by Ms. Marion Manzo 

Policy & Curriculum Committee – presented by Ms. Heather Dwyer
• Committee update 

Advisory Updates
• PTO Advisory Update – presented by Ms. Sharon Attick 

Facilities & Building Update
• GES/PES Building Project Update – presented by Superintendent Smith 

Board Member Comments

Comments from Citizens
• Residents of Middlebury and Southbury may speak (3-minute limit; civility guidelines apply) 

Regular Business Requiring Board Action
The Board will consider actions related to:
• Approval of the 2026–2027 School Budget
• Approval of Final Education Specifications for Solar Installation at Long Meadow Elementary School

April 6, 2026 Board of Education Meeting Agenda
April 6, 2026 Meeting Video
2026-27 BOE Adopted Budget (Adopted 4/6/26)

The Region 15 Board of Education will hold a Budget Workshop on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Pomperaug High School Media Center.

The workshop will include a discussion with the Southbury and Middlebury Boards of Finance regarding the Superintendent’s proposed 2026–2027 budget.

A Public Hearing on the Superintendent’s Proposed 2026–2027 Budget will take place at 7:30 pm.

March 25, 2026 Board of Education Public Hearing Notice
March 25, 2026 Board of Education Budget Workshop Agenda
March 25, 2026 Budget Workshop with Boards of Finance and Public Hearing Video
March 25, 2026 Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes
 

Board of Education Workshop 3/4/26 Agenda
Board of Education Workshop 3/4/26 Meeting Minutes
Board of Education Workshop 3/4/26 Video (Video of meeting start will be shared soon)
K-12 Curriculum & Instruction: Supporting the Proposed Budget Presentation

The Meeting of the Region 15 Board of Education (Board Retreat) scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Mary I. Johnson Central Office Building has been canceled.

The Region 15 Board of Education will meet on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pomperaug High School Media Center. 

Highlights include:

• Student Recognition: Harper Peterson, Gainfield Elementary School, presented by Superintendent Smith for Region 15 Greeting Card
   
• Facilities & Building Updates

• LMES Roofing Project update presented by Matt Miller, Silver Petrucelli Architects
• GES/PES Building Update presented by Tecton Architects

• Policy & Curriculum Committee – presented by Ms. Heather Dwyer
  Second Read/Presentation of the following Pomperaug High School courses and textbook:

• New Course: Spanish IV – Cultural Identity (World Language, Grades 11–12)
• Revised Course: ECE College Algebra (Mathematics, Grades 11–12)
• New Textbook: AP U.S. Government & Politics
  American Government – Stories of a Nation

• Building Committee Update - Presented by Ms. Shannon Cavallo

January 12, 2026 Agenda
January 12, 2026 Meeting Video
January 12, 2026 GES/PES Feasibility Study Presentation
January 12, 2026 Minutes

The Region 15 Board of Education will meet on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pomperaug High School Media Center. 

Highlights include:

• Student Recognition: Celebration of CIAC All-State Fall Athletes, presented by Mr. Ron Plasky

• Election of Board Officers: Annual nomination and voting process for Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer

• Policy & Curriculum Committee:
  • First Read of new and revised Pomperaug High School courses
  • New Course: Spanish IV – Cultural Identity (World Language, Grades 11–12)
  • Revised Course: ECE College Algebra (Mathematics, Grades 11–12)
  • New Textbook for AP U.S. Government & Politics: American Government – Stories of a Nation

• Finance & Facilities Update presented by Ms. Shannon Cavallo

• Pension Update from Mr. Steve Suriani

• GES/PES Building Project Update from Techton Architects

December 8, 2025 Agenda
December 8, 2025 Meeting Video
December 8, 2025 Minutes
December 8, 2025 FAQs: GES/PES Feasibility Study

The Region 15 Board of Education will meet on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pomperaug High School Media Center. 

Highlights include:

• Region 15 Five-Year Capital Plan: Presented by Superintendent Joshua Smith and Director of Finance & Operations Joe Martino
• Second Read of Policy 5131.911 — Connecticut School Climate Policy presented by the Policy & Curriculum Committee
• Finance & Facilities Update: Including the Educational Expense Account year-end balance transfer and transportation contract extension
• Superintendent’s Report: Featuring updates on Veterans Day and the GES/PES Building Project.

November 24, 2025 Meeting Agenda
November 24, 2025 Meeting Video
5-Year Capital Plan
GES/PES Building Project Presentation to BOE

The Region 15 Board of Education will meet on November 13, 2025, for a Virtual Meeting at 5:30 p.m.

Zoom Meeting Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/edl?muid=43588d93-a88b-4b99-8da8-a531cc4c72a0
Meeting ID: 823 0158 0303
Passcode: 032075

Highlights include:

• Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the current terms of the bus contract and to invite Superintendent Smith and Mr. Martino into the meeting. No action to be taken.

November 13, 2025 Agenda
November 13, 2025 Minutes

The Region 15 Board of Education will meet on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pomperaug High School Media Center.

Highlights include:

• A first read/presentation of Policy 5131.911 — Connecticut School Climate Policy — by the Policy & Curriculum Committee
• An update on the Gainfield Elementary School (GES) / Pomperaug Elementary School (PES) Building Project from Superintendent Joshua Smith.

November 10, 2025 Agenda
November 10, 2025 Minutes
November 10, 2025 Meeting Video

The Region 15 Board of Education will meet on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pomperaug High School Media Center.

Highlights include:

• Celebrating Region 15 students recognized through the National Merit Scholarship Program, presented by Dr. Paul Jones.
• An update from Superintendent Joshua Smith on the Gainfield Elementary School (GES) / Pomperaug Elementary School (PES) Building Project.
• Executive Session for discussion of Superintendent Smith’s Goals for 2025–2026 and the PAA Bargaining Agreement (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029), with possible action to follow.

October 27, 2025 Agenda
October 27, 2025 Meeting Video
October 27, 2025 Minutes
Presentation on GES / PES Building Project

The Region 15 Board of Education will meet on Monday, September 29, 2025, at 7:30 PM in the Pomperaug High School Media Center. Highlights include:

• GES/PES Building Project Updates by the GES/PES Feasibility Study Committee.
• Second Reading of several policies, including: Use of School Facilities (#1330), Student Records Confidentiality (#5125), Health/Medical Records (#5125.11), Conduct Video Surveillance (#5131.111), Private Student Speech & Distribution of Written Materials (#5145.2), and Search and Seizure (#5145.12)
• Update on the LMES Playground.
• Executive Session to discuss potential real estate acquisition, with representatives from Tecton Architects present

September 29, 2025 Agenda
September 29, 2025 Minutes
September 29, 2025 Meeting Video
September 29, 2025 GES/PES Feasibility Study Committee Presentation

The Region 15 Board of Education met on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 7:30 PM in the Pomperaug High School Media Center. Highlights included an update to the start of the 2025-26 school year, review of Board of Education goals, LMES playground discussion, and policy updates.

September 8, 2025 BOE Agenda
September 8, 2025 BOE Minutes
September 8, 2025 BOE Meeting Video
2025-26 BOE Goals
LMES Playground Presentation
 

On August 19, 2025, the Region 15 Board of Education held its annual retreat. The retreat provides an opportunity for board members and administrators to reflect on district progress and set priorities for the 2025–26 school year. Discussion included: NWEA Language Arts and NWEA Math Scores, Math/ELA Smarter Balanced Performance Summatives, SAT Scores, Portrait of a Learner 3 year plan, High Level Initiatives, and GES-PES Feasibility Study Update.

August 19, 2025 BOE Retreat Presentation
August 19, 2025 Meeting Agenda
August 19, 2025 Meeting Minutes