Salerno says teacher layoffs are imminent

WINSTED — The Winchester Public School district will lay off teachers just before the start of school year 2011-12, according to Superintendent of Schools Blaise Salerno, who spoke at a Board of Education Budget and Finance Committee meeting held Thursday, Jan. 6.

According to Salerno, the layoffs will result from the Board of Education’s decision to move the town’s seventh- and eighth-graders to the semi-private high school, The Gilbert School.

Salerno emphasized several times that the details of the layoffs are not final and that he would not know exactly how many teachers would be laid off for several weeks.

But according to a report he gave the board, Salerno proposed that eight teachers could be laid off, including full-time teachers in the subjects of computer education, music, in-school suspension, seventh- and eighth-grade language arts, science and a sixth-grade teacher.

Also, he proposed that two part-time teachers in the subjects of seventh- and eighth-grade math and social studies should be laid off.

“The reason why there is a grand total of eight teachers is because nobody in our school system will give up a full-time job to accept a half-time job at Gilbert, which means that someone in our school district will get laid off from a full-time position,� Salerno said to the board.

Salerno added that there might be more layoffs, depending on whether teachers from the school district end up being hired at Gilbert.

“It could be as high as nine, 10 or 11 layoffs,� Salerno said. “If our teachers [who are eligible] do not go to Gilbert, you are going to see the numbers increase.�

He emphasized to the board members that the numbers given in the draft report were not final.

Latest News

Fairfield Farm reconnects ‘the human element’ to nutrition

Fairfield Farm reconnects ‘the human element’ to nutrition

LAKEVILLE — Harvest is in full swing at Fairfield Farm, the 287-acre farm and cattle pasture owned by The Hotchkiss School and located just a mile from campus in Lakeville.

Peppers and tomatoes are crowding the vines in the hoop houses while corn dries in the Grange, a multi-purpose structure that serves as a storage facility, teaching kitchen, ad hoc classroom and concert venue.

Keep ReadingShow less

Torrington defeats GNH under the lights

Torrington defeats GNH under the lights

WINSTED — In a rivalry game that came down to the wire, the Torrington Raiders won 28-25 against the Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic Yellowjackets Friday, Sept. 28.

Torrington's wildcat offense produced break-out runs and established an 18-point lead going into the fourth quarter. GNH battled back with two touchdowns, a two-point conversion and an onside kick recovery in the final minutes.

Keep ReadingShow less
gnh football

Humans welcome too at ‘Dogs Only Hike’

Humans welcome too at ‘Dogs Only Hike’

Hikers of all shapes, sizes and species gather atop Cherry Hill to enjoy the morning sunshine.

Alec Linden

Rusty maple leaves shook overhead in a light morning breeze as hikers both human and dog mingled at the edge of a large field. Residents and their canine companions congregated the morning of Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Hart Farm Preserve for the Cornwall Conservation Trust’s (CCT) “Dogs Only Hike,” and pleasant chit-chat filled the air, interrupted by the occasional bark or whine.

Previously, the CCT’s guided walks did not allow dogs to join due to logistical and safety concerns such as trip hazards from leashes and excitable pets, CCT board member Katherine Freygang explained. She organized this outing so that residents could finally enjoy a guided walk on CCT managed land without leaving their furry friends at home.

Keep ReadingShow less
community

Charlie Brown comes to town

Charlie Brown comes to town

Cast members each get to shine in the production at the Sharon Playhouse, running until Sept. 29.

Matthew Kreta

The Sharon Playhouse opened the final production of their main season, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” on Friday, Sept 20. The show will be open until Sept 29 and has a run time of one hour and forty minutes.

The popular “Peanuts” comic strip upon which the show is based lends an inspiration far beyond the characters and their likenesses. The vast majority of the play flows quickly from scene to scene. Most scenes are structured like a four panel comic strip and no central plot point in the show stays for more than a few minutes. These quick changes are intermingled with delightful musical numbers that cover a number of different styles in nearly every song, from opera, slow ballads, dream ballets and high energy showstoppers. Ultimately, this heavily works in the musical adventure’s favor. This snappy, ever shifting approach to the show gives the audience plenty of different vignettes to see these iconic characters interact in. There are plenty of laughs and a full range of antics to enjoy.

Keep ReadingShow less
sharon playhouse