Schools
Annual Non-renewal List Released
Thirty-six non-tenured teachers make up the list this year, which is compiled annually. The issue will be decided after May, when the total budget is approved.
In its first meeting since the Board of Finance deadlocked in part over the proposed school budget, the Board of Education covered an agenda of the day-to-day items that constitute the board’s work outside the budget season.
The most immediately visible item was the need to approve the list of non-tenured teachers whose contracts may not be renewed. This year’s list has 36 names. Seven are long term replacements and 29 are non-tenured teachers.
School Supt. Ralph Iassogna stated that creating this list is an annual task, done as it is to comply with state statute.
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He stressed that teachers are identified in last in, first out order, that this is “not related to performance, but this year has taken on added significance due to the budget.”
This is the “maximum number that could be impacted” Iassogna continued, adding that “there is a cushion here, leeway for a worst case.”
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Rehiring can be started only after the budget is signed by the first selectman in late May.
He added that retirements and resignations will play a role in the number the district is able to rehire, and that rehiring will be driven by programmatic changes made to comply with the new budget and by individual credentials.
Darlene Ference, a teacher representative to the board said that this can be an “emotional” event, and that it has been “well handled at the building level.”
Iassogna added “We want our teachers to feel that we care.”
Trumbull Education Association President Tammy Baillargeon said these teachers are “in limbo until the Town Council approves a budget.”
She said that all 26 who were non-renewed last year were rehired, but that she cannot be optimistic the same will be true this year. She also noted that weak economy may impact teachers who may be forced to look outside Trumbull.
The list was read into the record by board Vice Chairwoman Deborah Herbst and approved 7-0.
The complete list is: Lisa Acerbo, Jackie Alessi, Jennifer Berry, Kory Buswell, Caroline Campbell, Jillian Capone, Nediljka Carrano, Tyler Cohen, Bernadette Dunn, Elaine Farr, Yulia Fedorov, Kriste Gill, Kimberly Greco, Jacqueline Heimessey, Monica Kelly, Sally Kenler, Rebekah Kershaw, Erin Knight, James McCaffrey, Donna McCarthy, Kelly McGovern, Jamie Mcllhoney, Kristen 0’ Connell-Rubin, Jennifer Pacelli, Danielle Pastir, Allison Plantamura, Geraldine Proscino, Genevieve Ruane, Marc Wilson. The long term replacements are Amy Battaglia, Kathleen Boland, Angela Guimont, Matthew laccarino, Michaela McCabe, Michelle Molloy and Marion Sperry.
