School Board Approves Additional Special Ed Teacher

By Susan Coney

The Newtown Board of Education unanimously approved the hiring of an additional special education teacher for Head O’ Meadow Elementary School at its meeting October 6.

Pupil Personnel Services Director Michael Regan told the board that after an analysis of the present teacher’s time at Head O’ Meadow it would be impossible for one teacher to meet the needs of the school without the addition of a second full-time special education teacher.

“We can’t just throw more educational assistants in there. We need a [second] full-time teacher. This was clearly an unanticipated need,” Mr Regan explained. He continued by saying that four students with significant needs have moved into the Head O’ Meadow district since the start of the 2005-2006 school year with a fifth student anticipated to begin by November 1.

Board member Lisa Schwartz inquired what the cost for such a position would be. Superintendent Evan Pitkoff responded that it depended on who was hired. The average salary would be approximately $50,000. He continued saying that the district would eliminate a position that was not filled, saving $25,000 in the budget.

Board member Paul Mangiafico asked what the total cost would be. Dr Pitkoff stated $60,000, which would include benefits. Mr Mangiafico asked how the school system could do this without additional costs. Dr Pitkoff said other money would come from staff turnover. He explained that the school system had some savings from a 0.5 kindergarten position that was not implemented and from paraprofessionals who left their positions and were replaced by staff earning a lower rate of pay. He told board members that there was money in the budget so it would not be an additional cost.