Region 20 Board of Education Regular Meeting
12/11/25, 7:00 pm
Present: Chair, Ashley Westfall, Diane Barnes, Kara Cruoglio, Ashley Hall Daddona, Robert DeLayo, John Morosani, Tiffany Parkhouse, Scott Pottbecker, Krista Rizzo, Billie Jean Sideris, and Susan Wheeler.
Chair Westfall, said the committee continues its work on the 6000 Series (Instruction).
Curriculum Committee Chair Margaret Hunt reported through Parkhouse that the committee had received information regarding the implementation of the Great Minds curriculum at Plum Hill Middle School (Litchfield) as well as the piloting of three elective courses in computer science.
Ad-Hoc Building Utilization Committee Chair, Morosani, said the committee had held what he described as a “spirited meeting talking about the building utilization committee.” He reported that Superintendent Jeffrey Villar suggested engaging in a long-term planning process, including 10, 15, and 30-year projections for district facilities.
Morosani said the committee will propose including funding in the upcoming school budget to support such a study.
In his report, Villar outlined the process he uses to make weather-related decisions during the winter months, describing it as “complicated” and stressing that staffing capacity can influence those decisions. “I will get it wrong 50% of the time,” Villar said, adding: “I will err on the side of caution.”
Chief Financial Officer, Julia Cardillo, reviewed the status of the Fiscal 2026 budget and district grants. She reported one adjustment from her previous update, noting a transfer of “$1,200 from teaching supplies to waste and recycling for ASTE” to cover the cost of an on-site dumpster.
The board heard two presentations: Lakeview High School Principal, Michael Valerio, spoke on the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEAS&C) accreditation process, reporting that Lakeview High School is fully accredited following the school merger. Lakeview Athletic Director, James Parker, reported that 181 students completed the fall sports season, with 79% earning Berkshire League Scholar-Athlete status.
The Board voted to accept two donations: $500 designated for a classroom at Warren School and $8,000 to fund two-way communication devices at Goshen Center School. The motion was made by Wheeler, seconded by Rizzo, and approved.
The board also approved two policies. A motion to adopt Board Policy 5113.2, Truancy, was made by Sideris and seconded by Westfall. A separate motion to adopt Board Policy 5145.123, Metal Detectors, was made by Morosani and seconded by Sideris.
Villar explained that the devices are hand-held and stated: “The school administration needs to have a level of reasonable suspicion before you search children,” adding “there would have to be some action, some concern, some rationale” for its use.
Following discussion, the board voted to table approval of an out-of-country field trip to the Galápagos Islands scheduled for spring break 2027. The board plans to invite the teachers proposing the trip to the January 15 meeting to address concerns related to cost and fundraising.
