by Phillip Zema and Kieron Kramer
The amended Berlin Central School District budget passed by a vote of 603-252. The main feature of the new budget was its 0% tax levy. This figure was realized chiefly because no modular units will be added to Berlin Elementary. While the Proposition to purchase a 58 passenger handicap accessible bus passed (469 – 379), the Proposition to approve a $100k capital improvement project failed (436-415).
The budget passed, but there was still plenty of tumult at the BOE meeting. After a 1½ hour executive session, the BOE approved a resolution that featured the resignation of Superintendant of Schools Charlotte Gregory. Her term, accordingly, will end on June 30.
Gregory’s resignation prompted her to offer a slate of resolutions for the School Board to vote on that would result in a series of reassignments throughout the School District’s administration. The next resolution sprung the Board into conflict. This resolution featured Cathy Allain’s resignation as Berlin’s middle school principal. This resignation took place so that Allain could assume the position of High School Principal as of July 1.
What was happening clearly did not sit well with all BOE members. Tom Morelli and Bev Stewart felt that the next School Board should have a say in who assumed leadership roles. They felt that the new BOE, with its term beginning on July 12, should take part in the hiring process for these positions. Board Member Elizabeth Miller, on the other hand, said that these leadership roles had to be filled by July 1. A heated argument ensued about whether the District was acting justly and going about the hiring process the right way. Before the Board decided on any other resolution the BOE, once again, went into executive session.
After about an hour, the public session resumed. A motion was made to appoint Allain High School Principal with the length of her term being unclear. Both Morelli and Stewart abstained from voting. Stewart said she did so not because she was against Allain but because she wanted the new Board to have a say in the matter. John Greene voted against the motion while Gina Goodermote, Miller and Board President Frank Zwack approved it. Board Member Paine was not in attendance. The motion, however, did not receive the four votes required to pass.
The BOE then shifted to a series of resolutions that would make Eileen Leffler, Grafton’s principal, the interim Superintendent; it was not clear how long her term would be either. Since Leffler’s position as Grafton Principal is being abolished with the closing of that school, the resolution would appoint her to be the Middle School Principal followed by a resolution that would give her a leave of absence so she could serve as interim Schools Superintendent followed by another resolution that would appoint her interim Superintendent. These resolutions were discussed, though the District and Leffler still need to agree on a contract. This issue, ideally, will be officially resolved at the BOE’s next meeting, which will be held on June 29. It starts at 6:30 pm and will be held at the Jr./Sr. High School.
Retirees Commended
Before the hullabaloo, five retiring faculty members and one staff member were commended for their dedicated service to the Berlin School District. The following were honored, thanked, and presented with a gift from the BOE: Maggie Syvertson (kindergarten), Debbie Sweeney (fifth grade), Jacqueline Elacqua (MS/HS art), Walter Knightes (seventh grade math), Alan Webster (HS English) and Roberta Jones (payroll clerk). Each individual’s career highlights and accomplishments were presented to the audience, whether it was by teaching, inspiring, coaching or setting a great example, each individual was praised for leaving an irreplaceable impression on the District. A brief reception was held after the presentations.
BOE President Frank Zwack also thanked Thomas Morelli and Jeffrey Paine for their service on the BOE. It was Morelli’s last BOE meeting, and Zwack said that while they did not always agree, he appreciated Morelli’s contribution to the BOE.