Region 20 Board of Education Regular Meeting
11/20/25, 7:00 PM
Present: Diane Barnes, Kara Cruoglio, Ashley Hall Daddona, Margaret Hunt, John Morosani, Tiffany Parkhouse, Scott Pottbecker, Krista Rizzo, Billie Jean Sideris, Ashley Westfall and Susan Wheeler; Absent: Robert DeLayo
The Regular Meeting of the Region 20 Board of Education opened with a recognition of senior Reid Augustyn, who had been named a commended student by the National Merit Scholarship Program by Lakeview High School Principal Michael Valerio.
The Board then heard reports from its standing committees. Board Member Margaret Hunt summarized a Curriculum Committee presentation in which Valerio outlined the school’s program of studies and current challenges. Hunt reported that the program of studies includes 197 courses, with 139 running this year. She noted that the committee reviewed the course of study book and discussed program needs moving forward. In a separate report, Board Member Ashley Westfall updated the Board on the Policy Committee’s ongoing work on the 6000 Series, which focuses on instruction.
The Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda, which included the hiring of two new staff members, approval of prior meeting minutes, and authorization for an out-of-state field trip.
Superintendent Jeffrey Villar reported that the Fiscal Year 2027 budget process is underway. According to Villar, Chief Financial Officer Julia Cardillo has requested detailed budget requests from responsible parties as part of the initial planning phase. He also informed the Board that the district’s school climate survey had been completed and results were shared with building principals.
Villar reported attending a meeting with a Safe Routes to School group that examined safety concerns on Route 202. He reminded parents that students should not be crossing Route 202. He also announced openings for Educational Assistants at both Lakeview and James Morris schools, noting challenges in recruiting for these roles. The written personnel report included two new hires, a staff transfer at Goshen Center School, a resignation at James Morris School, and a teacher retirement effective June 30, 2026, at Lakeview.
During her financial report, Cardillo informed the Board that the district had received a grant covering 58% of the cost to replace the public address system at Lakeview, with remaining costs to be included in the FY27 capital request. She also reported an emergency capital expenditure for an air separator at Goshen Center School and commended the facilities director for securing multiple quotes.
Cardillo reviewed revenue projections for Fiscal Year 2026, noting a decrease in ASTE (Agricultural Science and Technology Education) tuition due to lower enrollment but an increase in the ASTE grant that will result in more than $600,000 being available for the ASTE Department. Villar added that the department is conducting a needs assessment and acknowledged Cardillo’s work on allocating building costs to ASTE as part of the budgeting process.
Action items were approved without discussion. The Board accepted three donations: one from the trustees of the Battell-Stoeckel Music Trust to cover transportation costs for a field trip, and two in memory of Betty Locke designated for the Litchfield Center School library.
The Board approved 11 policies from the 5000 Series (Students).
