School Board Reviews Revised Medical Leave Policy

By Larissa Lytwyn

Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff introduced a revised board policy regarding the federally mandated Medical Leave Act of 1993 during the school board’s last meeting on February 15.

“When I was superintendent of Region 10, I put together a policy concerning family and medical leave,” Dr Pitkoff explained.

Using his Region 10 policy as a model, Dr Pitkoff has been in the process of assembling a similar policy for the Newtown district. “Given the many nuances surrounding family and medical leave of absence, I thought it was prudent to look at our own policy,” he said.

He said Kevin O’ Sullivan, union president of Newtown’s Federation of Teachers, as well as board attorney Dan Murphy had favorably reviewed his proposed medical leave policy.

Due to its level of detail, Board Vice Chairman Lisa Schwartz will head a subcommittee to review the policy, potentially producing a list of questions for Dr Pitkoff to address when the policy is brought up for adoption at a future board meeting.

During its February 15 meeting, the board also approved a $500 donation to the Sandy Hook School reading program from the Fairfield University chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, seven I-Macs valued at $15,000 to the town technology department from John Kalas of the Tidewater Group, and an $80 Lenmark scanner/printer/copier to the district preschool program from Ruben and Natalia Aparicio.

In addition, the board approved the resignations of Sandy Hook School teacher Kristen Mattera, effective February 11; Newtown High School head custodian John Verbanic, Sr, effective May 26; and Reed Intermediate School special education teacher Susan Howell, effective February 18.

The board also approved the following coaches: Jason Arnauckas, JV boys’ basketball; Heather Bernhart, co-cheerleading; Stacy D’Amico, co-cheerleading; Dave Foss, track; Alan Potter, wrestling; John Quinn, boys’ basketball; Carl Strait, freshman girls basketball; Dustin Zima, ice hockey; Timothy Carlisle, volunteer coach, indoor track; and Zach Tortorella, volunteer coach, ice hockey.