Board of Ed. Salutes 3 Departing Members

The Suffield Board of Education said goodbye to three members last night during its regular session at Wednesday.

Secretary Mary Ellen Tunsky, Vice Chair Lauren Life and Michael Smith were each honored by Chairman Mary Roy for their commitment to education and the community. Tunsky completed four years while Life has been on the panel for the past six years. Smith, the longest tenured board member, finished 16 years of service, including several years as chairman.

The meeting's main topic was the presentation of the special education review, the culmination of months of work by representatives of the Capital Region Education Center (CREC). For details, see the full story later today on Suffield Patch.

“I have appreciated this opportunity,” Smith said. “I will miss doing this. Sixteen years is a big chunk of time, longer than I spent in Suffield schools, fortunately,” he joked. “I am proud of what we have done over these years. We have passed budgets and even passed money back to the board of finance…and set Suffield schools in a positive direction.”

Smith joked about the addition of computers to schools, saying he wondered  how many benefits they would have at the beginning of his service. He tied that remark to the passing of time since he began on the board, noting the transition of the board's current meeting place (and location of the former Suffield High School computer lab) from high school to middle school.

Current board member Lori D'Ostuni read a tearful goodbye she had written, noting that fellow members had shared their time and their lives with Suffield and that the community is better of because of what each of them had given.

In other business, the panel unanimously approved the transfer of funds to pay for the installation of the new, efficient gas boiler at . They acknowledged a contribution of $17,000 from Yankee Gas which has helped to offset the cost of the new burner.

Superintendent of Schools Karen Baldwin announced the appointment of an interim director of curriculum. Andy Lees was the choice for the spot, a veteran, retired educator who has served in similar posts in Bristol, Wethersfield and Watertown along with Baldwin. Lees will assist with leading curriculum revision and incorporating the curriculum into the long-range plan.

The Suffield Board of Education will meet again on Tues., December 6 at Suffield Middle School.