Magnet School: Our community, our voice

On December 24, 2024, the Connecticut State Department of Education notified Colchester Superintendent Sullivan that the state would not be enrolling students in Colchester's magnet school for the 2025-2026 school year. The state also issued an ultimatum to the Colchester Board of Education, requiring a final decision on the future of the magnet school by March 31, 2025. If no decision is made by that date, Colchester's magnet school will not be included in the state's planning for the 2026-2027 school year.

Source: Connecticut State Department of Education Letter, dated December 24, 2024

In Connecticut, a magnet school is a public school that offers specialized educational programs centered around specific themes such as science, technology, the arts, or languages. These schools are designed to attract a diverse group of students from different school districts, promoting racial, ethnic, and economic diversity. By focusing on unique curricula and drawing students from various backgrounds, magnet schools aim to provide high-quality education while fostering integration and reducing isolation among communities.

Source: CGS 10-264l(a)(2)(E)

The answer to the question of what kind of magnet school Colchester was approved for is crucial for understanding the financial benefits the district qualifies for. This is a local board of education run interdistrict magnet school serving the Hartford Sheff region, and complying with the Sheff requirements of racial desegregation of Hartford schools.

According to the state's approval letter, Colchester's magnet school proposal “will support racial, ethnic, and economic diversity and provide a specialized and high-quality curriculum.” The state has authorized Colchester for a “three-year pilot interdistrict magnet school.” Additionally, Colchester is required to “reserve 30% of the incoming enrollment for Hartford resident students.”

This designation means that Colchester is eligible for higher reimbursement rates compared to a standard magnet school because the proposal addresses civil rights concerns outlined in the landmark civil rights case Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, more commonly simplified as Sheff v. O'Neill.

Source: The State of Connecticut acceptance letter.

Bacon Academy will remain the name of the high school. The proposal is to introduce a "school within a school" magnet program at Bacon Academy, called the Hayword Academy for Public Service (HAPS). This program could draw up to 120 students from outside the district, along with 40 students from Colchester. The magnet program will offer high school electives focused on Fire Services, Medical, Criminal Justice/Forensics, Education, and National Security. These students would still take their regular high school courses at Bacon Academy, in addition to their specialized magnet program electives.

While the Board of Education's timeline is largely accurate, it omits or glosses over several critical details. The concept of creating a magnet school was started in Superintendent Sullivan's Pride and Purpose committee. A group of school administrators, Board of Education members, teachers, and few citizens met in secret to create a magnet school application and submit it to the state in early January 2024.

Notably, there was no discussion of a potential magnet school between January 9th and the November 25th meeting. Furthermore, during the January 9th meeting, the Board of Education did not vote to approve the submission of the magnet school application, leaving the public entirely unaware that the application had been submitted. The timeline also neglects to mention that all of the listed meetings involved the Board addressing the citizens without actively soliciting public feedback, highlighting a significant lack of engagement with the community.

Source: The Board of Education's timeline document

Yes. There are only a few stipulations on attendance to the new magnet school. First is that no more than 25% of enrolled students can be from Colchester. Second is that 30% of spots are reserved for Hartford residents. 

Source: The State of Connecticut acceptance letter and the Board of Education's FAQ sheet.

Yes. However, only 25% of the magent school enrollment may be from the host district. This means that if the BOE reaches its goals and enrolls 160 students, only 40 students may come from Colchester. This means that only 10 of the incoming freshmen students may attend the new magnet school. 

Source: Board of Education's FAQ sheet.

The Board of Education has said that magnet school applications are chosen through a blind lottery. This is only partially true. First, 30% of spots are reserved for Hartford residents. Second, certain applicants are given priority. This includes if the application has an enrolled or already placed sibling and to children of employees/staff. These stipulations and priorities make a truly blind lottery impossible. 

Source: The state's website for the Hayward Academy for Public Service