www.berlincitizen.com
Thursday, April 11, 2019
BHS educator inducted into teachers’ Hall of Fame
$90.1 million budget headed to referendum
Volume 22, Number 8
By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
The Town Council voted along party lines Wednesday night, April 3 to reduce the budget passed by the Board of Finance, paring back the spending increase to 2.5 percent
A longtime Berlin High School teacher was inducted into the National Teachers’ Hall of Fame for his contributions to statewide policy, mentorship of younger teachers and sharing his experiences from around the globe with students.
The budget now moves to an April 30 referendum.
Social studies teacher David Bosso is one of five teachers across the country being inducted this year. Christopher Poulos, a teacher at Joel Barlow High School in Redding, said he nominated Bosso because of the the work they’ve done together to advocate for education. Bosso was named state Teacher of the Year in 2012, five years after Poulos. "When he takes on projects, Dave sees it not only through the end, but beyond the end," Poulos said. "He gives 110 percent to his teaching ...” Bosso, who resides in Berlin, has also pushed for teachers to have a voice in creating educational policy.
By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
BHS teacher David Bosso speaks at a ceremony for his induction into the National Teachers’ Hall of Fame. Devin Leith-Yessian, The Citizen
"A lot of decisions are made without the on-the-ground feedback that's needed,” Bosso said. "When I was named state Teacher of the Year in 2012 there were opportunities to get involved at the policy-making levels.” Bosso will have the chance, along with the rest of the inductees, to give input to the National Education Association when he travels to Wash-
y your we will pa h our airfare wit
FLY & BUY R210746
program
*The program is available for a limited time and is subject to change at any time without notice.
ington, D.C. for his induction. Past groups have also had the opportunity to meet with the president of the United States, Poulos said.
Katie Amenta, a fellow BHS teacher who wrote a letter of support for Bosso, told a room of teachers, administrators and state officials that she incorporates the See Teacher, A16
The council reduced municipal spending by $821,000 and school spending by $400,000, bringing the total budget to $90.1 million. The corresponding mill rate increase of 1.36 mills would bring the rate to 33.86 mills, a $238 increase in taxes on a home assessed at $175,000.
Fellow Democrat JoAnn Angelico-Stetson spoke against cutting $95,000 in repairs for the phone system at three schools, calling it a security issue.
Republican Charles Paonessa responded that the budget already adds security for the schools. "We're adding $300,000 worth of security for the children, it was The largest reductions on the town side included not never there before,” he said. “We never had armed hiring an information officers there before ...” technology director and instead having a consulEven with the cuts, countant repair the town’s fail- cilors are not confident ing network, which saved voters would accept the $138,000; not making rebudget and anticipate pairs to the leaking munic- deeper cuts after referenipal garage roof, a dum. $120,000 project; and re“We all know this isn't goducing the amount to be ing to pass at the budget spent on armed security guards in the schools by a quarter, down to $300,000. See Budget, A12
We will reimburse buyers within the US up to $2,000 USD toward their travel expenses when they purchase and close on a home in Estero, Bonita Springs or Naples, Florida with William Raveis Real Estate - South Bay Team within 6 months of their visit.*
CALL US TO LEARN MORE AND TO SCHEDULE A FLY & BUY APPOINTMENT!
239.221.0741
"For once in a long time I'm almost speechless, almost. I feel like Julius Caesar on the Ides of March and the unkindest cut of all is what we're doing to the gentleman in the back of the room, who has a leaky roof. An asset we can't even protect for $120,000,” said Democratic Councilor Peter Rosso.
John Egan & Lesley Garlock South Bay Team Over $52M SOLD in 2018 southbayteam.raveis.com