Southington Schools Mourn Recent Loss Of Three

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The Southington Public Schools community is mourning the recent loss of three current/former schools system employees who have died.

The Southington Board of Education April 27 had special moments of silence for the trio, which included a current teacher and two school system retirees.

Remembered by the school board were:

• Nellie Shepard, who died on March 27 at 91.

Shepard was a former chemistry and physics teacher at Southington High School, who retired in 1989 after 31 years.

For generations, she was the main science teacher SHS grads knew when it came to navigating those difficult classes.

"I know a lot of people had Ms. Shepard as a teacher and she was very well loved in the community," said Southington Board of Education Chairperson Colleen Clark.

• Robert Smith, was the former purchasing agent for Southington Public Schools from July 1974 to October 2006. He died April 18 at 89.

• Bill Chisholm, who is described as a "dedicated" culinary arts teacher in the Southington High School's Family & Consumer Science Department.

Chisholm died April 25 at 53.

For the minutes of the April 27 Southington Board of Education meeting, click on this link.