Norwich — The Board of Education Tuesday approved a favorable evaluation for Superintendent Abby Dolliver, praising her leadership, “high standards of ethics,” communication and attention to student achievement.

Those skills, the board said, will be needed to face the district's biggest challenges — funding, special education and high needs students.

The evaluation, approved 8-0 with member Dennis Slopak absent, came after the board discussed Dolliver’s evaluation in three executive sessions over the past three months. The board will consider a contract extension and salary for Dolliver at its June 12 meeting. Dolliver’s current salary is $171,456.

The three-page written evaluation report praised Dolliver for her leadership in implementing the District Improvement Plan, required for state funding through the Alliance District program, and for staff management, and for her handling of school staff and communications with the public and press.

“Mrs. Dolliver puts the right people in the right positions,” board Chairwoman Yvette Jacaruso said, reading the evaluation report following the vote.

Dolliver also was called a “cheerleader on positive things going on in the school district and said she routinely attends school events and celebrations. She communicates well with the press and the public and keeps the board updated on educational issues and is responsive to board questions."

Throughout the evaluation, the board’s recommendations for “areas of focus” for Dolliver all pertained to funding the high number of special education and English learner students and monitoring student achievement.

“Continue to work with the state Department of Education, other superintendents and city officials on the challenge of inadequate funding,” Jacaruso read as one area of focus.

The board also asked Dolliver to provide information one month in advance, if possible, “on significant financial matters.”

Financial matters have dominated spring meetings this year. The Board of Education in March approved an $83 million proposed 2018-19 budget that calls for a 9 percent spending increase. The board issued a public warning to city officials that it cannot operate with less funding and would take the city to court if adequate funding is not provided.

City Manager John Salomone’s proposed budget gives the school board a 2 percent increase to $77.7 million, and the City Council approved that total in its preliminary budget Monday.

The school board also learned in April that the current school budget ending June 30, 2018 has a $1.5 million to $2 million deficit, mostly in special education tuition and transportation. Norwich is expected to receive $700,000 less in state reimbursement for so-called excess special education costs this year, contributing to the anticipated deficit.

“I always focus on those areas,” Dolliver said Wednesday, “and will continue to focus on them. It’s a team effort. Those are difficult areas. They’re all very large challenges for us in our district and our city, and I’ll continue to work with everyone to address them.”

c.bessette@theday.com