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North Branford's Augur House Transitions to Home Base for School-to-Work Program

With cooperation and collaboration across public school and town government sectors, North Branford's historic Augur House has transitioned to become a new home base for the district's school-to-work program.

On Dec. 20, North Branford Public Schools (NBPS) Superintendent of Schools Scott Schoonmaker welcomed representatives from the Board of Education (BOE), Town Council, departments including NBPS maintenance and North Branford Public Works, NBPS team members, community supporters, students, family and friends to the opening day of services at the building, located at 298 Forest Road on the Town-owned Augur property.

The number of those involved built a sizable crowd to witness cutting a purple ribbon, stretched across the new handicapped accessible entrance ramp that's been added to the recently rejuvenated farmhouse.

"You really can see what happens when we work together and when we put our thoughts and ideas together to benefit the children of North Branford," Schoonmaker said of the combined effort. "We couldn't be any more proud of 18-to-22 transitional program."

The program supports students ages 18 -22 with intellectual or other disabilities as a bridge between high school and adulthood, by providing them with a variety of educational, social, recreational, vocational and independent living activities.

On Dec. 20, Schoonmaker thanked retired NBPS Director of Special Services Suzanne Wright for starting the conversation about finding a new home for the program; which had moved from its space in a portable classroom at Totoket Valley Elementary School to BOE space in the Stanley T. Williams Community Center building.

"It was time to find a new location, and the Augur property became available," said Schoonmaker. "It had been sitting for some time, so it was in dire need of a face lift and some updates. So that's where the thank-you's begin."

Inside and out, the renovation of the former farmhouse is now complete. Upgrades include a new heating system and electrical system and the transformation of every room to incorporate a functional use for learning; from its kitchen to a classroom space off the living room area on the main floor.

Schoonmaker credited many for their involvement in the work and planning to upgrade the building, including NBPS head of maintenance John Florio and his team; which in addition to  building work and upgrades transitioned elements from the classroom of North Branford High School  (NBHS) special education teacher Diane Artaize into the house; Public Works director Fran Merola and his team, Special Education Teacher and Transition Coordinator Caitlyn Boyle and her team, and NBPS Director of Special Services Sara Alberti.

Schoonmaker also thanked the BOE for championing the project and recommending it to the Town Council, which he also thanked for its support; together with Town Manager Michael Paulhus and State Representative Vincent Candelora (R, District 86).

"We have a lot of great things happening and will continue to happen with all of this cooperation," said Schoonmaker.

North Branford Mayor Jeffrey Macmillen told

The Sound the project and result is something the town can be very proud to have accomplished.

"I think this is a tremendous step in the right direction for our North Branford school system, to really augment our programs for these students that are going to be here a little bit longer," said Macmillen. "And it's just a beautiful use of resources that we have in the town; refurbishing something that's historical, but also putting it into current times and also to have a cognitive use to it."

Boyle said opening the facility to her students and team on Dec. 20 was to realize a dream, thanks to the combined efforts of so many.

"It was my dream, and they made it happen. I'm so appreciative," said Boyle.

Boyle is entering her eighth year with the program, which currently serves 7 students ages 18 – 22. They will immediately begin using the new facility as their base, she said.

"The plan is to have this place to come to, as a base of operations, for learning and launching into life skills and vocational experiences," said Boyle.

The facility operates from 8 a.m. — 3 p.m. during the school week, with transportation available to take students to vocational and other experiential learning opportunities between 9:30 a.m. — 1:30 p.m.

"So, we have time in the morning and the afternoon to work on those functional academics and also life skills and routines, and doing the things that are required to maintain living by yourself," she said, noting students who complete the program may go on to live independently or in group homes, where many household routine and life skills will be required.

Alberti, who joined NBPS as Director of Special Services in July, 2021, said the house will provide students with unique opportunities which are not available in a school setting.

"I think it's a unique opportunity for us to provide post-graduate experiences for students that kind of veer off the traditional track of what 18-22 would be — which is vocational in the community, and are wonderful experiences — but to be able to gather in a home, make beds, clean, even take the garbage out;I think this provides a blend of those living skills that are needed, on top of vocational opportunities."

As noted by Schoonmaker, Alberti and Boyle are already discussing other options for students thanks to the new location, including possibly starting a small dog-treat home baking business that could have as its customers residents using North Branford's dog park, located next door to the Augur House.

Alberti said she was also impressed by the teamwork which made this particular dream work for NBPS and its students.

"A lot of work went into getting it ready," said Alberti. "Caitlyn Boyle put in a tremendous amount of work with her support team, and it took a true village to get it off the ground. It's really exciting."

Schoonmaker said it's also evidence of the commitment North Branford makes to support its students.

"Just to see this come to fruition, with so many different parties working to make it happen, from the very smallest pieces to the largest piece, it's wonderful to see the commitment to our students — to every student in North Branford; and that life after North Branford doesn't end after your senior year; it begins," he said "I think we've been a testimonial to that with our 18-to-22 program; and for any of our graduates, that we're here to help them in any way."

Offering this type of school to work transition program in a public school district is "very" unique to Connecticut, he added.

"In Connecticut, I know that many of these programs are attached to a building or outsourced," said Schoonmaker. "So, to have a free-standing residence, where our students can come in and learn transitional skills and work in the community, and have a home base that is their home, is really unique."