Southampton school board advances ICE, phone policies

School Committee · Meeting of September 9, 2026

Southampton School Committee opens first reads on an ICE-response policy and a phone ban, as the superintendent flags contract uncertainty. Superintendent Vito told the board he has not decided whether to seek renewal of his contract, which ends this school year, and shared a DESE/MASC template policy responding to the state's new Protect Act after missing a September 1 deadline. Principal Pluta reported enrollment at 470, nine fewer than June, and new hires including Assistant Principal Daniel Roy and gym teacher Chelsea Bell.

Vito announced Norris Elementary will receive $139,154 in state rural school aid. Business Administrator Don said an apparent $600,000 to $700,000 budget gap was a payroll-accrual timing error, not a real overage. Committee member Dylan's draft personal-electronics ban, requiring phones and smartwatches be "off and out of sight," passed its first read and returns in October.

The board unanimously approved a fourth-grade trip to the Connecticut Science Center, backed by a $780 PTO donation.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,730 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of September 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.