Board accepts multiple resignations and retirements; district outlines new‑teacher orientation and 26 hires

The Simsbury Board of Education on Sept. 9 voted to accept several staff departures and reviewed a large hiring season that brought 26 new educators to the district.

The board accepted resignations announced earlier in the summer and approved retirements and advance notices of retirement filed under the teachers’ contract. The board also approved a $3,000 gift from the Tarafel (Terre Haile) PTO to offset grade‑6 camp costs under Board of Education policy 2311, which requires board approval for gifts exceeding $1,500.

Administrators said the hiring season began in spring and continued through August; district staff reported bringing on 26 educators and two administrative appointments approved earlier by the board: Scott Redmond as assistant principal at Simsbury High School and Heather Golden as interim director of athletics and student activities. New teachers participate in a three‑day orientation (pre‑convocation) that covers district expectations, special education basics, technology and mentoring; the program includes novice teacher training with module work and mentor support.

Neil (district administrator) and other staff described the composition of hires: about half of the new educators entered the profession with zero to five years’ experience, and others had advanced degrees; the mix is intended to balance experience and budgetary considerations. Administrators said hiring some less‑experienced teachers contributed to “realized savings” in the personnel budget, while harder‑to‑fill roles (family and consumer science, technology education) required more experienced hires.

Board members voiced appreciation for the hiring, orientation and mentoring work and noted the district’s staffing status: most positions are filled, with a few last‑minute starts and one open math position under active recruitment.

Motions and votes recorded in the meeting included the formal motion to accept resignations and to accept retirements and notices of intent to retire. The motions were seconded and carried by voice vote; no recorded roll‑call tallies were read into the record.