Board approves two assistant principals and a reclassification; one member signals recusal on unrelated math item

The New Haven Board of Education approved the superintendent's personnel report on July 27, which included retirements, recommended hires and a reclassification.

Superintendent Doctor Negron recognized retirees Lamont Barham (retiring Aug. 8 after 30 years) and Carmena Chevarria (retiring Aug. 25 after 28 years) and presented the recommendations to fill administrative and promotional positions. Negron recommended Amy Schlank as assistant principal at Elm City Montessori and Jennifer Kaye as assistant principal at King Robinson; both spoke briefly and expressed their commitment to the district.

Negron also described a planned reclassification of the elementary literacy supervisor to a director of humanities who will oversee elementary ELA and social studies; he said the reclassification will use funds remaining from the prior salary allocation and will support later math restructuring.

Board member Doctor Joiner said he would recuse himself from voting on one section concerning a math supervisor because his daughter holds that role; after clarification from Negron that math assignments were not part of the personnel report before the board that night, Joiner said he could vote on the personnel report. The board moved to approve the personnel report; roll-call affirmations were recorded and the motion carried.

Amy Schlank and Jennifer Kaye addressed the board upon their appointments and thanked the superintendent, principals and colleagues.