Staff members who have been working in the district through a Department of Education grant since 2013 were recognized by Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, at the Board of Education's meeting on Wednesday, May 4.

Dr Erardi said the Department of Education School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV) grant will end next month.

"We all know as a community, as a board, that over the last three years this has been an invaluable funding stream to allow us to continue on our path to rebuilding and recovery," said Dr Erardi.

The superintendent announced the names of everyone who has worked in the district under the grant, and those who were present for the meeting stood as their names were read.

The full list of the names read were Reed Intermediate School social worker Hope Bray, Family Assistance Counselor Genia Brockett, Sandy Hook Elementary School Clifford Beers clinician Dave Cribbins, Sandy Hook School social worker Jessica DeBiase, Reed school counselor Tanya Doehr, Sandy Hook School Clifford Beers staff clinician Cynthia Hould, Sandy Hook School psychologist Sarah Kearney, Sandy Hook School fourth grade transition coordinator Gael Lynch, Clifford Beers Clinic Supervisor Christine Montgomery, Sandy Hook School Assistant Principal Tim Napolitano, Newtown Middle School social worker Lauren Peyton, NMS psychologist Daniella Phelan, Reed social worker Lauren Sheintop, Newtown High School psychologist Dimitri Thornton, Reed psychologist Rachel Williams, Newtown Public Schools Central Officer Recovery Project Director Judy Blanchard, National Child Traumatic Stress Network through the University of California Los Angeles Recovery Project Advisor Melissa Brymer, central office financial staff assistant Tanja Vadas, central office financial staff assistant Lauren Chocolak, Special Education Supervisor Catherine Goralski, Director of Pupil Personnel Debbie Mailloux-Petersen, former Director of Pupil Personnel Julie Haggard, and central office secretary Jane McEvoy.

Some of the positions will continue in the district, some staff will be funded elsewhere, and for some, their work is finished, according to Dr Erardi.

"Board members, [the] folks that are standing, they have dedicated, in many cases, three years of their life, and they have been all in," said Dr Erardi.

The staff, Dr Erardi said, have been the "large part" of how the Newtown community has recovered and rebuilt since the tragedy at Sandy Hook School.

"We thank each and every one of you for all that you have done over the past three years," Dr Erardi said.

The Board of Education and Dr Erardi also recognized Dr Brymer specifically for her efforts in the district.

"Dr Brymer raised her hand in January of 2013 and through the partnership work of the University of California we have been blessed with Dr Brymer's presence," said Dr Erardi, who added that Dr Brymer has solved many of the district's most difficult problems.

Dr Erardi thanked Dr Brymer for her time.

"We thank you for your love and dedication to Newtown Public Schools," Dr Erardi said to Dr Brymer, before Board of Education Chair Keith Alexander presented her with a framed certificate acknowledging her work in the district.