Region 20 Board of Education Meetings

08/07/25

Present:  Chair Parkhouse, Westfall, Rizzo (zoom), , Morosani, Hunt, Sideris, Pottbecker, Barnes, Wheeler, Daddona. Absent: DeLayo, Cruoglio

The meeting began with a Policy Committee update from Ashley Westfall (Warren), who reported that four policies—Bid Process, School Climate, Restorative Practice, and Physical Restraint/Seclusion/Exclusionary Time Out—were moving from committee to the full Board for approval. Westfall noted that three are required by state law; discussion will occur at the next meeting.

Tiffany Parkhouse (Warren) announced that the ad hoc committee on building utilization would continue this year, with John Morosani (Litchfield) continuing as chair. She reported that Board officers “…talked about some of the things that we felt were helpful lessons that maybe would be good topics for both new and veteran members to discuss” at an upcoming training with Nick Caruso of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education.

In his report, Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Villar thanked the first selectmen from Warren and Morris who worked to “make their [tuition] payments earlier for us, which just allows us to have better cash flow scenarios so we can make some more payments as we’re up against this crunch trying to open school.” He also thanked all four towns “for the collaboration I’ve had with the First Selectmen, Boards of Finance and Boards of Selectmen as we’re all grappling with the difficulties of the Region 20 deficit” and the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Chief Financial Officer Julia Cardillo outlined new budget oversight measures, which reflected “big changes” from last year. Budgeted requests over $2,500 will be reviewed by both her and Villar; any over $5,000 outside the budget will go to the Board. Regarding purchases by staff, “personal credit cards and employee reimbursements are not permitted unless pre-authorized by the superintendent and myself.”

Morris representative Scott Pottbecker raised concerns about “the overages that we have already,” suggesting “we're on a slippery slope already, and it’s August.” Villar responded that one expense decision will be made at year’s end, but, “we're doing quite well in the personnel line.” He agreed that “every line has to be watched and monitored” and line-item transfers may be needed later but stressed, “we're nowhere near being overexpended in this budget.”

Billie Jean Sideris (Morris) asked about a spending freeze. Villar replied that the fiscal controls serve the same purpose and emphasized “the other important piece [is] educating our administration and our staff about these fiscal controls” since “it’s not the fault of our employees that they used to be able to put a purchase order… to get what they need.”

Cardillo reported on a grant application for kitchen equipment and capital projects that had begun. The district is working with AirTemp to conduct an audit of kitchen equipment and plan repairs.

In response to Goshen representative Susan Wheeler, Cardillo reported that most vendors had been paid through April and all will be paid through June 30 in the coming weeks.

8/21/25

Present: Chair Tiffany Parkhouse, Diane Barnes, Kara Cruoglio, Margaret Hunt, Tiffany Parkhouse, Scott Pottbecker, Krista Rizzo, Billie Jean Sideris, Ashley Westfall, Susan Wheeler

Absent: Ashley Hall Daddona, Robert DeLayo, John Morosani

The meeting began with a report on the Bobcat Boosters’ golf tournament and approval of the consent agenda, which included meeting minutes, new hires, and agreements with local service providers.

Parkhouse (Warren) and Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Villar both thanked the four member towns for approving the Memorandum of Understanding on the deficit. Villar said the agreement signaled “significant relief for the [district]” and reflected “a vote of confidence in Region 20.”

Villar introduced Daniel Hamilton as the new Director of Facilities. Hamilton, formerly employed by Regatta Dock Systems in Morris, will “start touring the schools . . . and come up with a game plan.” Villar also noted that the district continues to seek a Special Education teacher for Warren School.

The Board acted on seven agenda items, approving six. Villar said several policies were required by statute and were adopted with little discussion. Members also voted to solicit bids for a new auditor. Villar explained, “A new firm is going to give you a really deep dive, and I think that’s most appropriate in this instance… I think that’ll be good for the community to see that we’re willing to do that.”

A proposal to adopt a temporary cell phone policy was defeated after a lengthy discussion. Villar described the existing rules as “an absolute prohibition” on cell phones, but Morris representative Billie Jean Sideris said the current policy was not an outright ban and was, in fact, similar to Villar’s proposal. Parkhouse noted the proposed policy would have given the superintendent authority to set regulations and collect data for the Policy Committee to review as it works on a permanent measure.