29 April, 2024
2 mins read

Michael Foran Appointed Assistant Superintendent

Longtime New Britain educator Michael Foran has been named as Assistant Superintendent. Foran was appointed by the Board of Education at a special meeting on July 31st. Superintendent Nancy Sarra had recommended that the Board approve Foran’s appointment to the position. Sarra said that Foran, “is a true instructional leader. He has a calming presence and […]

1 min read

Board of Education Makes Appointments to Administrative Positions

Consolidated School District of New Britain has announced that the Board of Education has filled a number of administrative positions in the school district ahead of the upcoming school year. The school district announced appointments to nine positions. Michael Foran, who was appointed as Assistant Superintendent. Mark Spalding, appointed as Director of Pupil Services. Danielle […]

6 mins read

Top 10 of 2017: #2 – Stewart’s Plan for a 23% Increase in Mayoral Salary

Many important stories have been covered by the New Britain Progressive in 2017. It may be difficult to name only a few articles as the top stories of the year, but there are a few the New Britain Progressive would like to share as our Top Ten.  Other Top Ten stories can be found at “Top Ten Stories of […]

1 min read

Democrats Say Board of Education Seat Vacant After Daisy Sanchez Resigns

The New Britain Democratic Party has announced that a vacancy has occurred in a Democratic seat on the Board of Education. According to Bill Shortell, the Chair of the New Britain Democratic Party, the vacancy was created when Democrat Daisy Sanchez resigned from the Board to take an administrative position. Sanchez was elected to the […]

16 mins read

Top 10 of 2017: #3 – Budget Woes Grow With Debt, a Downgrade and Frozen Education Support

Many important stories have been covered by the New Britain Progressive in 2017. It may be difficult to name only a few articles as the top stories of the year, but there are a few the New Britain Progressive would like to share as our Top Ten.  Other Top Ten stories can be found at […]

3 mins read

Board of Education Candidates Discuss Education Funding, Diversity and Special Education.

Democrat Violet Sims and Democrat Annie Parker join incumbent Democratic Board of Education member Daisy Sanchez in running for Board of Education opposite Republican Nancy Rodriguez, current Republican Board of Education President Nick Mercier and Republican Board of Education member Mallory Deprey. The Board of Education is responsible for managing and setting policy for the New Britain school district […]

1 min read

League of Women Voters to Hold Forum for Board of Education Candidates, Sept 11th

The New Britain Area League of Women Voters will hold an “Eat, Meet and Greet Pasta Pot Luck” to allow people to “ask questions and get to know” candidates for Board of Education in this year’s city elections. The forum will be Monday, September, 11th at 6:00pm in the Trinity-On-Main Rotunda Room at the corner […]

2 mins read

Proposed 23% Mayoral Pay Increase Re-Emerges As Issue in Debate on School System Salaries

The proposal promoted by Republican Mayor Erin Stewart to increase the mayor’s salary by 23% was thrust again into attention by the recent controversy among city Republicans about the salary levels of three school system staff members. In a recent article and editorial in the New Britain City Journal, Republican elected officials allied with Stewart […]

2 mins read

Stewart Allies Criticize Kane Salary Three Months After Stewart Objected to Kane Comments on City Budget

The criticism, by allies of Republican Mayor Erin Stewart, of a decision by the Board of Education to increase the salaries of school system Chief Financial Officer Kevin Kane came about three months after Stewart, herself, publicly criticized Kane because of a presentation by Kane that Stewart took as critical of her then-proposed budget. In a […]

3 mins read

GOP Alderman Hits School Board On Salaries But Rubber Stamps Pay Hikes, More Spending At City Hall

By John McNamara The sometimes fragile relations between City Hall and the Board of Education took a backward step this week over complaints from Ward 2 Republican Alderman Kristian Rosado appearing in the New Britain City Journal. Rosado, in a front-page story in the City Journal, derided a unanimous BOE move on salary increases for […]

1 min read

Democrat Merrill Gay Announces City Elections Exploratory Committee

Press Pool Story Democratic Board of Education member and longtime activist, Merrill Gay, has announced that he has formed an exploratory committee to begin raising funds to run for office in November’s city election.  “All around us we see the need to make change happen ourselves when we don’t like what we see. I am […]

7 mins read

By the Numbers: Statistical Debate Concerns Educational Quality in New Britain

Press Pool Story A critique of Republican Mayor Erin Stewart’s education record by Democratic City Council candidate Bobby Berriault sparked a heated internet debate in January about education in New Britain and whether to view statistics about the city’s schools as a sign of progress or as a measure of how far the community has […]

6 mins read

Rallying in Support of Immigrant Communities

Press Pool Story About two hundred students and community residents braved the cold night air on the campus of Central Connecticut State University to rally in support of immigrant families and communities, and to speak out against bigotry. The rally is the latest reaction in New Britain in the wake of Donald Trump’s policies attacking […]