The North Haven Board of Education voted unanimously last Thursday night to appoint Lauretta Dowling as the interim principal at Clintonville Elementary School for the remainder of the school year, effective immediately. A cheering section comprised of two longtime employees in the local teaching ranks, Cam Paradis and Dot Logan, broke into enthusiastic applause as the vote was taken.

“In regard to ethics and education, I don’t think we’ll even see a blink,” said Board of Education member Alicia Clapp. “It’s great to have someone appointed from within the ranks. However, with Claudia Grantham leaving, Lauretta will have huge shoes to fill.”

Clapp described Dowling as “a perfect match to the Clintonville Elementary School.”

Hoping to gain the vacated position at the elementary school on a permanent basis, the new school leader said she had been teaching at the North Haven Middle School as a sixth grade science teacher for six years before being appointed as the district’s first administrative intern in the elementary schools this year. With a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of New Haven, and a sixth year degree in Educational Administration from Southern Connecticut State University, the Hamden resident has volunteered her time with the League of Women Voters for several years, focusing on work for Women in History Month most recently.

Her undergraduate degree in recreation and leisure led to earlier employment that provided her valuable experience as a program coordinator with a special needs adult population at both the Wallingford Senior Center and Gaylord Rehabilitation Hospital.

Dowling, a married mother of three sons, two still in college, came to the North Haven Public Schools to fill a maternity leave, and loved teaching science so much in the team setting at the middle school level that she decided to stay there, despite having done her student teaching in the first grade. Having been an active parent in the PTA in Hamden, the new principal looks forward to working closely with the parents in the Clintonville section of the town.

Praising veteran teachers Logan, Paradis, and others as “tremendous mentors that I learned so much from because of their willingness to teach me,” Dowling “hopes to be groomed for the permanent position at the school,” as this school year comes to a close.

“Lauretta brings compassion, intelligence, and integrity to her new role as interim principal at Clintonville Elementary School,” said Superintendent Sara-Jane Querfeld.

Just prior to the action on the administrative appointment, two resignations due to retirement were accepted unanimously by the Board of Education. Expressed with a similar degree of loss to the school system, Clapp praised Margaret Robertson, whose resignation was clearly accepted with regret by the board, saying that she had “worked with Peg for a long, long time.” Clapp described her as “a born teacher who makes learning fun, who will be sorely missed by students, parents, and staff.” She noted that Robertson is presently the district’s Teacher of the Year.

Next, with the approval of the retirement of high school math teacher, Bette DeMayo, Clapp said, “Again, a loss…a mentor. Bette is one of the finest teachers we’ve ever had. She has served on many advisory groups. In fact, 21 years ago she helped plan the very graduation format that we use to this day. Her time and effort has been enormously appreciated.”

A few moments later, fellow member Dr. James Hogan inquired whether or not something special could be done for staff leaving after outstanding performance in the schools. After a brief discussion, it was determined that a recommendation would have to be made by the superintendent for such action, after very careful consideration.

BOE finances

In other business, the Board of Education unanimously approved a custodial contract with Master Custodial for $235,000. The award garnered a savings of $29,000 over the current year, according to the Finance Committee chairman, Steve DiCapua.

As for the school budget, DiCapua said that, “For all intents and purposes, we’re in good shape for this year’s budget.” He reviewed the cuts that the board faced due to the reduction of next year’s proposed budget by $450,000 by the Board of Finance. Pointing out the extent of the work done by his committee, DiCapua said the biggest issue that they have to deal with is the loss of more than six teaching positions, two at the elementary level, with the bulk of the reduction at the high school.

“We are hopeful that we will not have to touch programs at the high school,” DiCapua said. He further indicated that there may be “potential union concessions” considered should the hearing on Tuesday night not go in the Board of Education’s favor.

Building issues

Although DiCapua described the North Haven Building Committee’s opinion of the work accomplished thus far at the new high school’s athletic fields as “not quite satisfied,” in regard to the extra costs, he said that he believed that the committee should, “look for reimbursement from the contract,” since $40,000 to $50,000 has been expended on repairs to the playing surfaces.

Indicating that all parties are doing everything that they can to get students on the fields this spring, he said that currently the baseball field is their biggest concern. The next two to three weeks of the early growing season will confirm whether or not the sod has taken. In regard to the monies that have been expended to deal with the field problems, DiCapua added, “We should try to reserve our rights,” seeking reimbursement for the costs to the community.

The discussion of the athletic fields continued when comment from the public was permitted. Resident Gary Amato brought up the topic after referencing his ongoing concern regarding safety at the entrance to the North Haven Middle School which continues to be investigated by the Police Commission, possibly due to his focus on the issue. In regard to the fields, he said that he was “not putting members of the Building Committee down,” adding that they are “volunteers, and their work is appreciated. It’s just that, before we close the books, make sure everything is dotted. Don’t come back in three to five years to get more money from the taxpayers.”

DiCapua vigorously defended their years of dedication, as he assured the public that the committee has worked hard and long and will continue to do what is best for the community, especially in regard to the drainage problems. He later stated that there would soon be “a walk through at the fields, followed by a meeting of the Building Committee, as they wind the project down.”