Naugatuck BOE Approves Naugatuck Teachers League Contract at Meeting

By Nancy Sasso Janis

The monthly Naugatuck Board of Education meeting took place on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023.

Members present were Chair Jeff Litke, James Scully, Erika Clements, Ethel Grant, Marilyn O'Donnell, Alicia Makowski, and Bob Mezzo (Virtual,) as well as Student Reps. Ruby Munro and Gabby Sanchez.

After the Executive Session, the public session was called to order at 7:10 p.m.

Student recognition certificates were presented to several executive members of the active Student Council at Andrew Avenue Elementary School for student leadership by Principal Megan Rolla, Superintendent Christopher Montini and Board Chair Litke.

Student leaders from Western Elementary were recognized by Montini, Litke and Western School principal Brenda Goodrich.

Most of the students recognized were in attendance with the families and stepped forward to accept their certificate from the Board Chair. Afterward, the group posed for photos with Montini, who then excused the young students and their families to skip the rest of the business meeting at this busy time of the year.

During Public Comment, Kim Gallo, 121 Heritage Drive, reported that 12 students are enrolled in the Trade apprenticeship program at Naugatuck High School that will start in January 2024.
Gallo reported that they are currently planning on how to celebrate the students once they complete the program. Gallo shared that Naugatuck is working on painting an art wall mural and she would like to see the students get involved in that process.

Nancy Sasso Janis, 66 Kingswood Drive in Naugatuck, welcomed and thanked the Board members for their service. She also stated that she would like to see the district observe both Columbus Day/Indigenous People Day and the day before Thanksgiving as a day off.

Board member Grant reported that at the ACES Board Meeting, a Board member from Milford was very impressed with Naugatuck and the trade apprenticeship program they are bringing to the High School.

Mr. Montini reviewed a detailed series of slides regarding the CSDE Next Generation Accountability report which is essentially a report card for the district. Bright spots report is posted here. The Strategic Framework document is here.

Goodrich and Rolla reviewed a slide presentation regarding their schools being recognized as schools of distinction. The principals of both schools were presented with a banner to be displayed at the school. Many faculty members from Andrew Avenue were in attendance at the meeting.

Andrew Avenue was recognized for High Growth for All in ELA and High Growth for for Needs Students in ELA and Math. Rolla invited Reading Specialist Marlana Graziano and Math Consultant Susan Yammine to assist her in explaining the reasons for the growth. Montini also asked former Andrew Avenue principal Lisa Lachance to stand and be recognized for the role she played in this honor.

Western was recognized for their growth in math as measured by SBAC testing. The principals shared “Bright Spots” that other schools can replicate. The slides that accompanied their presentations are posted here.

They also reported that both schools are looking at student attendance as an area of opportunity in which their schools will focus on improving. Western has introduced a slogan “Be here, we care,” an “Attendance Wars” program and other initiatives.

The superintendent reported on the new law regarding the age change for students entering Kindergarten. He stated that a press release will be sent out tomorrow regarding the new law and the district's registration process for students who will be entering Kindergarten for the next school year. Montini mentioned the possibility of additional preschool classes to meet the needs of students who will not be old enough to attend kindergarten.

Appointments in the district include Todd Busa of Meriden as Special Education Teacher at Early Childhood Center, Julie Rogers of Milford as part time Art Teacher at Andrew Avenue/Maple Hill, Alexandra Mezzo of Naugatuck at Social Studies Teacher at Naugatuck High and Jessica Bromberg-Alvarado of Naugatuck as English Teacher at City Hill Middle School.

Resignations include Brigitta Abakumova Psychologist at City Hill Middle, Michele Verzi Café Worker at City Hill Middle, Meredith Megee English Teacher at City Hill Middle, Miller Reyes-Pita Reading/Math Assistant at Andrew Avenue Elementary, Erica Ladrigan Math Consultant at Hop Brook Elementary, Lynda Newall Paraeducator F/T at Maple Hill Elementary, Jennifer Reese Paraeducator F/T at Early Childhood Center and Michelle Hughes Paraeducator F/T at Early Childhood Center.

Retirements include Patricia Mesaros Special Services Secretary at Central Office, effective 01/02/2024, and Lisa Krusko Counseling Secretary at Naugatuck High School, effective 03/01/2024.

Click for more Human Resource updates.

Under new business, the motion to approve the BTTI Construction Course for semester 2 of the 2023-2024 school year at Naugatuck High School carried.

The motion to approve the collective bargaining agreement between the Naugatuck Board of Education and the Naugatuck Teachers' League for the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027 as discussed in executive session also carried with Mezzo abstaining.

Under Board Communications, Litke reported that he received a letter from the Association of School Business Officials which reported that our business manager, Rizk, recently earned the prestigious Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations certification.

Board Committees have been formed. Litke reported that he will email the school principals the names of their school liaisons and asked that they be invited to school wide events.

The meeting minutes that were used for this post were attested to by Alicia Makowski, Board
Secretary. Click here for the meeting minutes of the November meeting.