The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en
Volume 14, Number 22
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Benigni is Berlin’s new assistant superintendent By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen
Photo by Maura Gaffney
Berlin’s Memorial Day parade makes its way down Farmington Avenue May 31.
Memorial Day message: Keep faith with those who serve our country By Maura Gaffney Special to The Citizen
Waving flags, patriotic music, shiny fire trucks, and lots of candy are all part of what makes the Memorial Day parade fun for kids and adults alike. Crowds lined up
all along Farmington Avenue Monday to cheer and applaud as marchers passed by. But Memorial Day observances didn’t end when the parade was over. A quiet, more sobering ceremony
Brian Benigni, principal of McGee M i d d l e School, was appointed assistant superintendent of schools at the May 24 Benigni Board of Education meeting. Benigni, 41, a Meriden native, has worked in Berlin schools for nearly 20 years. He replaces Rena Klebart who has been in the job — the official title is “assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction” — for
225!
Erwin called “a pretty extensive search.” As a search committee whittled down the field, Benigni continued to be a strong candidate, and, ultimately, he was the person Erwin recommended to the school board. One final piece of the interview process was a site visit to McGee Middle School May 20. “Brian was very comfortable…It was apparent he’d done a wonderful job and was more than ready,” Erwin said. “I’m very excited about it, I have a lot of respect for Dave Erwin,” Benigni said, adding, he was looking for-
See Benigni, page 27
Berlin High School referendum to renovate-as-new is June 8 By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen
See Message, page 27
Berlin turns
four years. Just a week before Benigni’s appointment, his brother, Mark Benigni, accepted the job of superintendent for Meriden schools. The brothers’ careers mirrored one another as they moved up the ranks from teacher to assistant principal to principal. At one point they were assistant principals together at McGee. Mark Benigni, 38, was an assistant principal at Berlin High School for eight years before becoming principal of Cromwell High School in 2008. Brian Benigni was one of 40 applicants for the Berlin job during a process Superintendent of Schools David
June 8 the town will hold a referendum vote on whether or not to bond $83 million for a “renovate-as-new” overhaul of Berlin High School. All five polls will be open at 6
a.m. and close at 8 p.m. The renovate-as-new plan is meant to address educational inadequacies at the school — such as outdated science labs — as cited in a New England Association of Schools and Colleges report. The plan also addresses Of-
1785-2010 In this edition, The Citizen continues with part two of a four-part series of photos and stories dedicated to the town’s milestone anniversary. Inside, a timeline, which began last week, continues and photos feature the new life the railroad brought to town. The series continues throughout the summer. We hope you enjoy learning a little more about the town you live in and seeing pictures from days gone by, we certainly have. — The editors.
Berlin High School awaits voters’ decision
fice of Civil Rights facility violations that an inspection uncovered. The cost of construction would be reduced by state aid that would bring the town’s share to about $58 million. The plan won a unanimous vote from the Board of Education, the Public Building Commission and the Town Council. However, Republican council members, David Evans and Kari Drost, later said they voted for the project in order to move it forward for a vote by the public, not as an endorsement of the plan. The bond item was brought forward for a public vote due to a petitioning effort initiated by resident John Kilian. Mayor Adam Salina, Public Works Director Art Simonian, BOE President Gary Brochu and other officials
See Referendum, page 24