by Mike Preato
BRIDGEWATER-ROXBURY-WASHINGTON – Members of the Region 12 Board of Education, meeting Monday, July 8, elected board officers for the year and discussed how they should present the reconfiguration plan to voters.
Michelle Gorra and Peter Tagley were not present for the meeting; Emily Hibbard was not present for the nominations, but arrived later in the meeting.
Board Chairman James Hirschfield, who was the only nominee for the chairmanship, was elected with seven affirmative votes, one opposed vote and one abstention.
Alan Brown, the only board member nominated for the position of vice-chairman, was elected unanimously.
Ms. Gorra and Susan Stumpf were both nominated for the position of secretary.
Ms. Stumpf received five votes; Ms. Gorra received four votes.
Valerie Anderson, the only nominee for the position of treasurer, was elected unanimously.
Members discussed whether the board would present the reconfiguration plan to the residents as two questions or one at the referendum.
The option the region’s voters will be voting on would close the three elementary schools and create a new pre-K to grade 5 school on the Shepaug campus; the option also would renovate Shepaug Middle-High School.
Board members disagreed as to whether or not the high school renovations should be a separate question.
Board members agreed the Shepaug Middle-High School needs renovations, but debated about breaking the question into two parts, as other options that could be put to referendum would not necessitate extensive renovations to the school.
In addition to the discussions on the referendum question, board members questioned when the vote would take place.
Members debated as to whether to schedule the vote on Tuesday, November 5, the date of this year’s municipal election.
Board member Mike Sinatra had concerns that people might tie their disdain or like for candidates with a negative or positive vote for reconfiguration.
Mr. Hirschfield disagreed with Mr. Sinatra, saying that he was underestimating voters.
Mr. Hirschfield said he would like to get the opinions of town officials before anything is decided.
Superintendent Dr. Patricia Cosentino introduced Lori Ferreira, the new assistant principal for the Shepaug School.
Ms. Ferreira has more than 22 years of educational experience and 15 years of administrative experience.
Several years ago, Ms. Ferreira worked as the principal of Nonnewaug High School alongside current Shepaug High School Principal Kimberly Gallo.
Prior to that she was the principal of Naugatuck High School.
Michelle Gorra and Peter Tagley were not present for the meeting; Emily Hibbard was not present for the nominations, but arrived later in the meeting.
Board Chairman James Hirschfield, who was the only nominee for the chairmanship, was elected with seven affirmative votes, one opposed vote and one abstention.
Alan Brown, the only board member nominated for the position of vice-chairman, was elected unanimously.
Ms. Stumpf received five votes; Ms. Gorra received four votes.
Valerie Anderson, the only nominee for the position of treasurer, was elected unanimously.
Members discussed whether the board would present the reconfiguration plan to the residents as two questions or one at the referendum.
The option the region’s voters will be voting on would close the three elementary schools and create a new pre-K to grade 5 school on the Shepaug campus; the option also would renovate Shepaug Middle-High School.
Board members disagreed as to whether or not the high school renovations should be a separate question.
Board members agreed the Shepaug Middle-High School needs renovations, but debated about breaking the question into two parts, as other options that could be put to referendum would not necessitate extensive renovations to the school.
In addition to the discussions on the referendum question, board members questioned when the vote would take place.
Members debated as to whether to schedule the vote on Tuesday, November 5, the date of this year’s municipal election.
Board member Mike Sinatra had concerns that people might tie their disdain or like for candidates with a negative or positive vote for reconfiguration.
Mr. Hirschfield disagreed with Mr. Sinatra, saying that he was underestimating voters.
Mr. Hirschfield said he would like to get the opinions of town officials before anything is decided.
Superintendent Dr. Patricia Cosentino introduced Lori Ferreira, the new assistant principal for the Shepaug School.
Ms. Ferreira has more than 22 years of educational experience and 15 years of administrative experience.
Several years ago, Ms. Ferreira worked as the principal of Nonnewaug High School alongside current Shepaug High School Principal Kimberly Gallo.
Prior to that she was the principal of Naugatuck High School.
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