Trumbull School Board Says Goodbye to Veteran Educator

After decades in the education in business, school board Chairman Ted Lovely is is closing his grade book.

And he got As from his fellow board members.

Vice Chairwoman Deborah Herbst said, “speaking for the board ... we’ve enjoyed the benefits of your experience, patience and guidance."

Lovely received a standing ovation from the school board and an audience of about 30.

Herbst continued by offering “heartfelt thanks."

"You have left an indelible mark, as a teacher, principal, an administrator and assistant superintendent… you have been a role model… we personally and professionally thank you," she said.

Lovely extended his thanks, first to the voters for electing him, then said, “my time on the board has been well spent… we don’t always see eye to eye… but the whole board has the best interests of the schools in mind.”

He thanked Supt. Ralph Iassogna, the principals, parents and students. “These are the people that make Trumbull an outstanding school district, and I hope for the same going ahead,” he said.

Lucinda Timpanelli, THS B House principal, also  thanked Mr. Lovely, telling everyone that he interviewed her 37 years ago. She thanked him for “putting students first… we were so lucky to have had you.”

When the board reconvenes in December Rosemary Seaman will take Lovely’s two-year seat, providing democrats a 4-3 majority.

Full Day Kindergarten

As Lovely departs, the school board faces tough decisions. Several parents each spoke for and against full day kindergarten. Among them, Diane Pomposello, a mother of two children in the told the board “this should have been implemented ten years ago… early intervention is important.”

Parent Teacher Student Association Council President Lainie McHugh asked the rhetorical question “do we need full day kindergarten?”

“Yes, and we have for 15 years… but we don’t have the funding after all the cuts… this should not be the board’s priority… I don’t think 2012-13 is the right time," she said.

Another, Marty Isaac, noting that his father was superintendent of the Great Neck, N.Y., schools, said he is “concerned about spending $1 million for a new program, that by second or third grade the benefits of full day kindergarten have worn off,” then added, “if cost were not an issue, I would support it.”