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Simsbury board accepts retirements and resignations, approves gifts and a new scholarship
Summary
The board approved retirements for two veteran teachers, accepted a resignation, approved leaves of absence for two teachers, and accepted donations totaling at least $7,000 and a newly created Joe Grace Memorial Scholarship to be dispersed in 2026'27.
The Simsbury Board of Education approved several personnel and philanthropic items during its meeting.
A motion was made and approved to accept the retirements of John Madonna (English teacher) and Karen Westcott (special education teacher); the board recorded effective dates for the retirements in the motions. The board also accepted the resignation of Terreville School teacher Brianna Downey. In separate motions, the board approved guaranteed leaves of absence for Carolyn Farah (Tarafel School) and Amy Neperski (Tooton Hills School), with positions to be held for their scheduled returns.
The board approved gifts to the district: a $2,000 donation from Comatix Corporation to support the Simsbury High School robotics club, and a $5,000 donation from the David Krakoff and Sydney Hoffman Charitable Fund to support educational experiences for students with financial need. The board also approved establishing the Joe Grace Memorial Scholarship, planned as four awards for the graduating classes of 2026 and 2027 at roughly $2,000 apiece; the scholarship is being funded by donations and will be dispersed in the 2026'27 cycle.
Motions were moved and seconded and passed by voice vote during the public session. The transcript records the motions and typical voice-vote procedures ("All those in favor? Aye."). Specific individual tally details beyond the voice votes were not recorded in the public portion of the transcript.
