Retirements, Budget Discussed at Board of Education Meeting [VIDEO]

Last night's Board of Education meeting marked a series of transitions: the retirement of thirteen teachers from the town's school system, and the final meeting under interim superintendent Patricia Brozek before Dr. Robert Cronin assumes the post in April.

Speaking on behalf of the public school staff, Brozek shared words of appreciation for the outgoing teachers, among them Carmella Paradis, a 59-year veteran of Clintonville Elementary School.

"She inspired students to be the best they could be," read Brozek. "Her passion for teaching is unparalleled."

Also mentioned was Susan Ferraro, a first-grade teacher at Ridge Road, who, in the words of the staff, "was a dedicated professional, and one who will be leaving a big footprint behind at the school."

Elaine Riley, a librarian at Montowese for 29 years, was praised for her nurturing and compassionate nature.

The full list of outgoing educators reads as follows.

• Marilynn Kramar, NHHS Mathematics
• Robert Carrano, NHMS Physical Education
• Susan Quintiliani, Montowese Elementary School Gr. 4
• Denzil Stamper, NHMS, Special Education
• Elsa Ruoff, NHHS, Library/Media Specialist
• Susan Ferraro, Ridge Road Elementary School, Gr. 1
• Marie Lunney, Montowese Elementary School Gr. 3
•  Elaine Riley, Montowese Elementary School Library/Media
• Christine Horton, NHMS, Montowese Elementary School Gr. 5
• Karen Papieka, NHHS Science
• Susan Iverson, NHHS Science
• Philomena Marak, NHMS, World Language
•  Carmella Paradis, Clintonville Elementary School, Gr. 2

Those not specifically mentioned at last night's meeting will be honored during next month's session.

The Board approved the retirement of all thirteen teachers, and thanked them for their service to the town.

Also approved were the resignations of three teachers, Hayden Holt, a NHHS Spanish teacher, Rebecca Schwartz, a NHHS science teacher, and Jackie Tammaro, a first-grade teacher at Clintonville.

In other news, the Board approved a measure to change the length and requirements of summer school for middle-schoolers. Under the new rules, students may attend a 30-day tutoring session if they maintain above a 40% average and miss no more than 20% of the school year.

"We don't want kids who know they've failed to stop coming to school," explained Brozek. "This way, students will be required to meet minimum requirements in order to get credit in summer school."

Students who's remedial requirements exceed the 30-day session will have to repeat a year of school.

The Board also discussed spring athletics, naming coaches and assistant coaches, and announcing that local resident Jim Albers will oversee the rehabilitation of fields that were ruined last year due to seeding and maintenance errors by TruGreen.

TruGreen has volunteered to work on the fields for no cost this year after the town threatened to cancel their contract.

Finally, the Board announced that the state would reimburse North Haven for 81% of special education outplacement costs, allowing spending levels in the proposed budget to remain intact.

The Board has also put in a request for federal funding to help pay for the clearance of snow in February which amounted to $195,000. The town has agreed to pay for $75,000 of that sum.

During public comment, Krista Kaplan of the North Haven Education Association, proposed that the schools consider buying textbooks from Online retailers like Amazon.com instead of through traditional purchase orders.

"We found that a sixth-grade social studies textbook was out of print, and that replacing it through purchase orders would cost $160," Kaplan explained. "We found used copies on Amazon for as little as $5 or $10. One parent could buy enough for the entire class."

The Board expressed enthusiasm for the suggestion, and said that they would look into the matter.

Before the meeting adjourned, the Board and audience applauded Brozek for her service. You can watch highlights from her final superintendent's report in the video above.

Dr. Robert Cronin's first day on the job will be April 4.