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Weekly Message from the Superintendent

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Dear Families and Staff,

The end of the calendar year finds many of us reflecting on the previous 12 months while also thinking about what’s to come in the New Year. 

Thanks to our dedicated teachers, administrators, and staff, Stamford Public Schools (SPS) made significant progress toward the goals in the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan in support of the district’s more than 16,000 students. As one of the largest school districts in Connecticut, Stamford Public Schools is a diverse learning community, and our work reflects efforts to support all students.

Following is a look back at some key accomplishments from the last 12 months and a preview of what’s ahead in 2025. 

Strong Curriculum

  • Thanks to the incredible work of our teacher-led content area teams and curriculum writing teams, SPS is on track to complete the 3-year curriculum, instruction, and assessment project by fall 2025. SPS began the 2024-25 school year with updated curricula in English Language Arts, mathematics, science, social studies, music, art, physical education, world languages, multilingual learning, and health across most grade levels. 
  • Our building administrators continued to focus on instructional leadership in 2024, meeting together several times each month to conduct instructional rounds at different schools. These instructional rounds—during which administrators observe classes and discuss how to best provide teachers with actionable feedback—help ensure that all students receive high-quality classroom instruction. 
  • SPS educators conducted nearly 400 early kindergarten admission assessments in 2024 to comply with the state-mandated change in kindergarten age requirements. District staff also supported efforts by the City and community-based organizations to provide additional PreK programs for students who were ineligible to begin kindergarten in 2024.  
  • All K-5 and K-8 schools continued implementing the Core Knowledge Language Arts & Literacy (CKLA) program in compliance with the state’s Right to Read legislation. CKLA is now utilized districtwide in grades K-2 and will be expanded to grades 3-5 in Fall 2025. 

Operational Excellence

  • The BOE reached an agreement with the Stamford Education Association (SEA) on a new 3-year contract for the district’s 1,500+ certified educators. Highlights of the agreement include: 
    • 13.99% salary increase over three years
    • 10 days of paid parental leave for new parents
    • Health care premium contributions increase only 1% over three years.
    • Changes in hiring practices designed to make the district more competitive amidst the ongoing nationwide teacher shortage
  • For the first time in more than 50 years, SPS is on-track to construct multiple new schools that will provide state-of-the art learning environments for more than 4,000 students and staff. Thanks to the efforts of Stamford’s elected officials in the State delegation, the State is funding the majority of the construction costs for these projects.   
  • Thanks to support from the Boards of Education, Finance, and Representatives, the FY25 annual budget was approved in May 2024. This budget enabled us to retain nearly all programs, services and staff in 2024-25. The FY26 budget will be presented to the BOE in January 2025. We are closely monitoring increases in out-of-district special education tuition, bus transportation costs, and health insurance costs that will impact the FY26 budget. To address these challenges, we are developing plans for additional in-district special education programs, working with the City to identify property for a city-owned bus depot, and evaluating alternatives to the State’s Health Care Plan. 

Student Centered

  • Thanks to grant funding secured by Congressman Jim Himes, SPS community partner Family Centers will open a full-service School Based Health Center at Turn of River Middle School for the 2025-26 school year.  
  • The State Board of Education will decide in early 2025 whether to approve the application for a Stamford Big Picture Learning Academy Charter High School (SBPLA). If approved, the SBPLA will be considered for funding during the 2025 state legislative session. The SBPLA would join programs like AgriScience and International Baccalaureate as a specialized option for Stamford’s high school students. 
  • The district will implement flexible scheduling in the high schools beginning in Fall 2025. Flexible scheduling will reduce student and teacher workloads, increase the time teachers spend on classroom instruction, and increase opportunities for all students to graduate within 4 years prepared for postsecondary success.    
  • Through its participation in the Community Eligibility Provision, SPS was able to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students during 2024. Making breakfast and lunch free for all students helps reduce the stigma of food insecurity and ensures that every child has access to nutritious meals regardless of their family’s financial situation. 

Community Focused & Culture of Inclusion

  • Cafe con la Super—the district’s monthly meeting for Spanish-speaking families—continued in 2024 addressing topics including multilingual learners, school security, vaping, and other timely topics.  
  • SCOPES—which is a partnership of SPS and the Parent Teacher Council of Stamford—continued to offer monthly meetings on topics of interest to families of students with disabilities. 
  • SPS began providing access to free menstrual hygiene products for students in grades 3-12 to comply with the State of Connecticut’s Menstrual Equity Act. 
  • The grand opening of the SPS Welcome Center at Cloonan Middle School is scheduled for January 15, 2025. The SPS Welcome Center is a one-stop destination for school and community resources, multilingual learner screenings, healthcare services, and more. Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, the Welcome Center will also manage new student registration services. 

The above are just a few highlights from 2024 as we continued our collective work to ensure all students have access to an education that cultivates productive habits of mind, body and heart. As superintendent, I look forward to continuing to lead this work in 2025 and working with all of you to support our students.   

On behalf of the Stamford BOE and the entire SPS senior leadership team, I want to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year!

 

Stay Safe and Healthy!

Dr. Tamu Lucero
Superintendent

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