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Belltown, Conn.Vol. I, No. 1
Founded 2026
The East Hampton ❦ Belltown, ConnecticutMercuryAlways Last... To Breaking News!
Late EditionThursday, Sept. 24, 2026
Sixteen minutes to read
Set from the Public RecordEleven meetings · Twenty-seven items · Sixteen minutes to readNames checked against the town roster
SchoolsThe Number

$73,500

The state grant that brought Smart Start back

By Jack Beckett ·

Smart Start pre-K had been cut to reach the school budget's bottom line. Then the state Office of Early Childhood awarded the district another $73,500. There was no application; the district told the Board of Finance on Aug. 10 that families had lobbied the state directly.

The district said the new money, together with the program's existing early childhood grant of about $97,000 and a stabilization grant, runs "pretty close to the number that we needed."

Pre-K is back for this school year without changing the budget figure voters approved.
Board of Finance, Aug. 10, 2026. Watch

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SchoolsWho

An open seat on the Board of Education

Kenneth Barber has resigned

Board of Education member Kenneth Barber has resigned, and the board is seeking a new member, Board of Finance member Daniel Finn reported Sept. 21. The district's roster lists one of its nine seats as "To Be Determined."

The eight members listed are Chair Nancy Kohler, Vice Chair August "Augie" Arndt, Secretary Edie DeSimone, Corrine Clark-Barney, Matt Engelhardt, Nathan Jaycox, Sarah LeBlanc and Sarah King.

The board decides how the $39.55 million is spent, line by line.
Next ❦ Board of Education, Monday, Sept. 28, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall Council Chambers.
Board of Finance minutes, Sept. 21, 2026. Read the minutes
SchoolsThe Number

$68,036

The school district's Title I grant, down from $127,105

The school district's Title I grant fell to $68,036 this year from $127,105 last year, the superintendent told the Board of Education on Sept. 14. Title I is federal money for schools that serve students from low-income families.

The district had budgeted about $80,000 and carried over the share of last year's money it was allowed to keep, so its Title I account remains slightly positive, according to the minutes. A second federal grant, Title II, was first reported as zero; after the district called the state it came in at $24,389.

The grant is about half of last year's; this year, carryover money keeps the account in the black.
Board of Education minutes, Sept. 14, 2026. Read the minutes
SchoolsThe Date

Four school forums, one at each school

Tuesday evenings from Oct. 20 to Dec. 15

Superintendent Dr. Timothy Van Tasel announced a series of community forums, one at each school, all on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m.: Oct. 20 at East Hampton High School, Oct. 27 at the middle school, Nov. 17 at Memorial School and Dec. 15 at Center School.

Administrators will cover academic priorities, school programs, staffing and enrollment, and building needs, with time set aside for questions.

Each forum sets aside time for residents' questions.
Next ❦ First forum: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m., East Hampton High School.
Board of Education minutes, Sept. 14, 2026. Read the minutes

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