Do you have a question for our Superintendent or the Central Services team? Welcome to Ask GPS, a blog style page created by Superintendent Cheri Burke to answer questions submitted by students, parents and community members. Please submit questions via email to: askgps@granbyschools.org
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Questions will be posted anonymously. Neither the questioner's name nor their email address will be published. Questions may be edited or condensed before posting. All questions will receive a reply. Not all questions will be chosen for publication to this site.
January, 2026
Q: I saw there is an rfp out to convert wells and Kelly lane from oil to propane. In reading I see both systems were new in 2007. Are these boilers already showing sign of failure? Can you provide the cost benefit or roi study on converting to propane? I also don’t see this listed on the proposed budget. Where will the funding for this conversion come from and how much is it?
A: The boilers at Kelly Lane and Wells Road Intermediate are not showing signs of failure and are not being replaced as part of this project. Every commercial boiler connects to a small burner unit separate from the boiler that burns the mixing fuel (oil, natural gas, propane, etc.) which in turn forms a controlled flame that heats the water needed to provide steam for heat or hot water.
Under optimal conditions oil fueled burners operate at around 85% efficiency, while propane can operate under the same conditions at or over 90% efficiency in addition to burning cleaner. The EPA recognizes propane as a cleaner-burning fuel than heating oil, emitting fewer greenhouse gases and pollutants, with benefits like lower particulate emissions and no soil/water contamination risk from leaks, making it an environmentally superior choice.
The projects were approved in the FY26 small capital budget at a cost of $165k each.
January, 2026
Regarding Out-of-District Placements
Q: Based on PPT recommendations, how many students are currently placed out-of-district (18-22)?
A: All Granby graduates in FY25 and FY26 that require transitional services per their IEP are at the BEARS transition academy. There is one student in an out of district placement right now but he ages out soon and therefore, it is not necessary to budget for any out of district placements in FY27 for 18-22 year olds.
Q: What are all related transportation costs for this placement, additional (number?) personnel needed when transporting?
A: None.
Q: What are tuition costs for this placement?
A: If students are out placed for a program like this the cost is estimated between $100,00-150,00 depending on the need of the student, related services and transportation costs.
January, 2026
Regarding the Alternative Program
Q: How many Granby students are in this program?
A: Currently we only have a partial program to "pilot" the possibility of developing this as a program for the FY27 school year. We have had 2 Granby students receive education while expelled through Granby Alternative Program (GAP).
Q: How many out-of-district students attend this program?
A: We took one so far this year while he was expelled from a neighboring district. That district paid for all related costs and a check for $27,000 was sent to the town of Granby for this education.
Q: What are all expenditures associated with this program including related transportation needs, personnel (how many?) and benefits?
A: To pilot the program we used existing staff (a tutor, and a social worker from GMHS.) We also hired a part-time retired teacher hourly rate/ no benefits entirely paid for by the new state of CT SEED grant. No extra transportation expenses as a student was added to a bus run already in use for transportation of a student to the BEAR program.
Q: What is the location of this program? In district or out-of-district?
A: An alternative program for expelled students must legally be held off of school grounds. We have used a small space at the YMCA to share staff with our already existing BEAR program.
Q: If students attend this alternative school/receive instruction at an off campus site, what are costs associated with related transportation?
A: Transportation would be required if the child is a Granby student. This varies by the distance and time of the transportation. This year, we were able to use existing transportation so no additional costs were necessary. The student that attended from a neighboring town required transportation that was paid for by the sending town, not Granby.
Q:What type of ancillary services are required to meet the goals/objectives of the PPT, including behavioral management interventions?
A: The students in this program are not necessarily special education students. Many will be regular education students that have been expelled. However, one service that will always be offered is counseling. We have an existing social worker from the high school that travels to the YMCA to provide counseling services to BEAR and GAP students. This is not an additional cost, but a reallocation of current staff.
January, 2026
Regarding the BEAR Transition Program
Q: What is the current number of students from Granby?
A: 10.
Q: What is the current number of out-of-district students enrolled?
A: 1.
Q: What are examples of how students enrolled in this program are meeting the mandate of LRE (Least Restrictive Environment)?
A: This program serves "post graduate students" ages 18-22. The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for this program is access to the inclusive community setting for real-world training in job skills and community integration by learning to navigate the community by using public transportation and engage in leisure activities through community outings and field trips.
Q: What are examples of how students enrolled in this program are integrated into the community and are receiving transitional skills related to future employment?
A: This is the largest component of the program. Daily students are at job placements in the community with job coaches and focused on these exact skills.
Q: At a recent meeting, it was disclosed that the program is located at the Granby Y. What alternative arrangements are currently being considered, if any for an alternative site?
A: The BEAR transition academy has successfully been located at the Farmington Valley YMCA for three years.
January, 2026
Regarding the Reading Teacher Proposal FTE
Q: Will this person oversee (given proper certification) the district's reading interventionist?
A: No, we do not have a "district reading interventionist"
Q: Will this person work at the middle/high school only, or throughout the district?
A: Only the Middle School (grades 6-8)
Q: Are there any additional certified reading teachers/specialists throughout the district having the required certification?
A: We have one part time reading tutor (not certified) and we have one reading intervention teacher at Kelly Lane (PK-2) and one at Wells (3-5). There are currently no reading services being provided at the MS or HS by a certified intervention teacher.
Q: Are there existing teachers/specialists who possess dual certifications?
A: Yes, many teachers have more than one certification in a variety of certification areas and grade levels.
Q: Does the requested dollar amount as indicated on the chart reflect costs associated with health insurance and other benefits?
A: No, this is a placeholder for a teacher position. Not an exact dollar amount. The salary and benefits will depend on the individual hired for this role. This position will be funded with the Q & D Fund and will not have an impact on the operating budget. The amount may be slightly less than 65K or slightly more.
January, 2026
Regarding the Substance Abuse Partnership Program:
Q: Assuming you already have this program at the high school, will you use existing personnel to implement the program at the middle school? If not, with whom will you "partnership"?
Assuming you already have this program at the high school, will you use existing personnel to implement the program at the middle school? If not, with whom will you "partnership"?
A: We do not already have a program.
Q: In order to implement this program, what additional personnel will be necessary if not already employed by the district?
A: No additional personnel will be employed by the District.
Q: As an out-patient facility offering services, who will cover costs associated with this service? The district? The parents/guardians? Insurance?
A: We are not and will not be offering "outpatient" facility services.
Q: Will the proposed program include both in-district and/or out-of-district students?
A: No, this is not a new program.
Q: Where will school-based clinics be located?
A: There will not be a school based clinic
Q: Will recommended services be provided during the student(s) regular school day?
A: Related to this specific type of support for students, we imagine a 30 min session or group meeting during the school day perhaps the high school advisory period, a study hall or before or after school depending on the student and the need. This will operate just as all school counseling services and social work meetings happen now but with a provider specifically trained for substance abuse.
Q: What are the proposed substance abuse issues?
A: We have students primarily struggling with vaping and marijuana use.
Q: Will a student(s)' require an identification (PPT) decision in order to qualify for participation?
A: No. Please allow me to clarify this line item in the budget: A number of years ago there was grant funding to offer additional counseling hours for students specifically when they were expelled for substance abuse or the school district became aware a student was struggling with this issue. That grant went away. The cost was increased and therefore we eliminated this service for our students. Recently, we have seen an uptick in student use of vaping and marajuana. We partner with many free agencies and resources such as the Farmington Valley Health District to implement prevention programs and services district wide. However, on occasion more support is needed. The $20,000 that will be earmarked in our Q&D Fund (not the operating budget) will allow us to pay for hourly services to support students that may require more support. The service provider is not yet identified and the need will be based on students that require this service. Therefore, it is likely we will never spend the full 20K or we may in fact need all of it. This is coming from grant funding in Q&D not the operating budget so that allows us to earmark the funds but only spend as needed.
December, 2025
Q: I believe that GPS purchased new French textbooks for $28,000 from the excess money. Please verify that this is correct. Also explain what account this money came from.
A: The purchase for French Textbooks was in the amount of $21,282.97 from the textbook accounts in the 2024-2025 general fund appropriation.
Q: What is the current balance in the Non Lapsing Fund - total from all prior years.
A: On September 18, 2024, the Board of Education approved the creation of the Non-Lapsing Education Fund via Policy #3171.1. The establishment of this fund allows local boards of education to deposit unspent education funds, up to 2% of the previous fiscal year’s budget appropriation, into a non-lapsing account for education related expenses only. In FY 2024, 2% of the $36,155,291 appropriated budget equated to $723,105. The Board approved a deposit of $35,269.86. Additionally, in September 2025 the Board approved to deposit an additional $130,000 to this fund from the 24-25 appropriation. The current balance in this fund, inclusive of deposits and interest, is $166,646.91.
Q: We have been told that the New Roof was an expense of $50,000 from Small Cap. Can you give me the cost of the new bleachers and confirm that that also was paid from the excess $650,000 that went into Small Cap. If not, where was this cost allocated?
A: The total cost of the central office roof was $52,800 leaving $47,200 in the small capital budget. The bleachers are currently in progress and final payment has not been made. The bleachers and installation are approximately $119,950 however, we will see some additional costs associated with electrical. The bleacher expenses will be paid from the small capital budget, which had an estimated budget of $130,000. Both the central office roof and high school main gym bleachers expenses are being funded from unexpended 2024-2025 BOE GF funds that were transferred to small capital at year end.
Q: You mentioned in the last BOE meeting that the purchase orders for the first tranche of security upgrades were about to be sent. What is the cost of these items and what will remain from the Small Cap money after those are obtained?
A: The quotes for the safety and security project were just received the week of Thanksgiving. The total expense is $1,336,889.90. There is currently $859,603 in funding for this project which comprises $439,603 in the 24-25 approved small cap budget and $420,000 from the unexpended 24-25 BOE general fund funds transferred to BOE small cap.
Q: What portion of the $1.2 million total estimate for security upgrades is left for future budget years?
A: The remaining amount of $477,286.90 will be requested in future small cap budgets. This will complete the project.
Q: I would like exact financial accounting for all of the excess budget dollars.
A: The remaining amount of $477,286.90 will be requested in future small cap budgets. This will complete the project.
Q: If you have spent any of the money on other items outside of this list, please include that in your response.
A: All of our budgeting and expenses are part of public record. Nothing is purchased without Board approval. As it stands now of the $650,000 transferred to small cap, any amounts not spent (i.e., roof) will remain in small cap for other unanticipated expenses for various, often unplanned, building maintenance repairs which will inevitably happen in a school district throughout the year. As I have advocated for, our buildings (especially the Middle School) are aging and there is a long list of items that require constant attention and repair. Any spending is reported monthly at both the BOE meeting, the BOE finance committee meeting and the Board of Finance Meeting.
April, 2025
Q: What are the goals and benefits of the secondary schedule changes?
A: Over the past year, Granby Public Schools has engaged in a collaborative and thoughtful process to align the schedules of Granby Memorial Middle and High Schools. First, input was gathered from students, staff and administrators. Then a guiding coalition of educators from both schools was formed to work with a consultant to create a uniformed schedule. This work has focused on two primary goals: maximizing instructional learning time and opportunities for students, and embedding meaningful collaboration for teachers during the school day.
We are proud to announce that the newly aligned schedule will increase instructional time by 72 hours over the course of the school year—time that will directly benefit students through enhanced learning, additional practice, and expanded access to support from teachers. This shift not only strengthens our academic program but also creates a foundation for growing electives and unique learning experiences for students, even as enrollment declines in the future.
Highlights of our new schedule include: a unified 8-period day across both middle and high school, extended instructional blocks at the high school several times each semester to support science labs and other in-depth learning opportunities, study halls and advisory periods remain, with additional chances for academic support, and teacher collaboration embedded throughout the school day rather than through delayed openings.
September 17, 2024
Q: I know this is a much bigger conversation to be had within the town, but has there ever been discussion of a permanent position of a police officer assigned to each school?
A: The Superintendent meets regularly with the Granby Chief of Police and the district and has a very close working relationship with the Granby PD. We collaborate on items large and small to keep our school community as safe as possible. Superintendent Burke and Chief Sansom have explored the addition of a School Resource Officer (SRO) and are currently in conversations with the Board of Education Chair and the Town Manager to determine next steps. It is our hope that a SRO will be considered as a part of the upcoming budget process for the 2025 school year.
June 4, 2024
Graduation Date Decision Explained
A question was recently asked how the graduation date for Granby Public Schools is chosen. This is a valid question regarding a topic that has been subject to recent legislative change. Prior to the 2020-2021 school year, in accordance with Public Act 10-16l, Connecticut Law stated that schools could not graduate before the 180th school day. However, this law was repealed giving local and regional boards of education the authority to set the twelfth grade graduation date prior to the 180th day by Public Act No. 19-195.
December 14, 2023
Q: As I am sure you are aware, there is a new apartment complex being built right near the center of town (Station 280, which I believe will house ~230 apartments). My question is, how does the district plan to accommodate a potential influx of new students into the Granby school system? I have several concerns, but want to understand the districts plan around school infrastructure, staffing levels, and class sizes.
A: Thank you for this question. We pay close attention when new homes and developments are built in the town of Granby. The district engages with an enrollment consultant who provides an enrollment projection report which goes out 10 years. This report examines births and their relationship to kindergarten enrollment as well as several other factors that influence school enrollment - town population, employment, housing, non-public enrollment, resident enrollment in other public schools, and non-resident enrollment in Granby Public Schools. The most recent enrollment report provided to the district was performed last year.
We reached out to our consultant at the start of this school year upon learning the full scope of the apartment complex being built near the middle school. The majority of the apartments at The Station are one bed-room. We are also watching Murtha’s Way and the new homes at Harness Way very carefully for enrollment impact.
We believe the most recent projection is valid for the upcoming school year; however, the district plans to receive a new enrollment projection for the following school year (2025-2026) to be sure everything is taken into consideration. Our class guidelines by Board policy are as follows:
Pre-School 12-14
Kindergarten 15-18
Grades 1-3 18-22
Grade 4-8 22-24
Grades 9-12 12-25
Thank you
November 27, 2023
Q: Thank you for your recent communication regarding the change in Kindergarten age requirements. Its was helpful to receive the information in such a well thought out manner with clear links to the supporting state documentation. I would like to know more about the application process to have my child exempt, in particular who will be responsible for the screening?
A: Thank you for your question. The Kindergarten screening assessment is still in development. Further communication will be sent to you from Kelly Lane School as soon as it is available.
November 27, 2023
Q: What are the factors you consider when making a decision to cancel school in inclement weather?
A: The safety of our students and staff will serve as my number one priority when making these most difficult decisions. We have students that attend our schools from Hartland, Hartford and Granby and as you are aware, depending on where you live in Granby, conditions can be drastically different and this will factor into my decision making. I take this decision very seriously, and will not make it alone.
Some of the factors which will be considered when making the decision to cancel, delay. or dismiss school early are as follows:
Timing of the storm or weather event;
Amount of snow and ice accumulated;
Air and surface temperature;
Weather conditions throughout the day;
Power outages;
Information from the Public Works Department and Police Department regarding the present and future travel conditions;
Information from area Superintendents;
Information from the Director of Facilities regarding building conditions, such as, electricity or heating/parking lot conditions/sidewalk conditions; and,
Information from the Transportation Department regarding status of drivers and bus/van conditions.
If there is going to be a school cancellation or delay, the decision will be made no later than 5:45 a.m. in the morning. In the event school will be dismissed early, notification to our community will be made in a timely manner for proper supervision at home.
The public will be notified of any cancellation, delay, or early dismissal via several ways:
SchoolMessenger text alerts (More information regarding signing up for this service can be found at this link)
Local television and radio stations
School website
@Superintendent-Burke on Facebook and Instagram
Thank you
January 24, 2024
Q: AskGPS was recently asked where reading lists can be found, and to clarify how books are chosen.
There is no set book list for any grade. Teachers work with administration and instructional coaches to find the most suitable books that match the standards being taught with the students' needs in their classes. The table shown below, presented to parents at curriculum night this fall gives a little more information on that selection process:
We were also asked to provide some samples of the 'Whole Class Novels' that are currently being read.
In grades kindergarten through 8, we do not study whole class novels.
This semester, the ninth graders are reading Romeo and Juliet, and AP Language students are reading The Great Gatsby.
Thank you
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