Fresh Starts at Board of Education

By Avice Meehan

Botelle Elementary School Superintendent Kevin Case presented his first agenda to the Board of Education at its Aug. 19 meeting and quickly learned to take nothing for granted. A suggestion to open the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance—which opens every school day—drew fire from board member Walter Godlewski, who declined to participate. The idea of reading a mission statement at each meeting was also vetoed, but the board agreed to include it in the monthly agenda.

Case, who started in the part-time role on July 1, took it in stride. He provided the board with an update on his summer activities and improvements to Botelle, including installation of two new boilers and replacement of an air-conditioning unit in the server room at a cost of $20,000. He also reported that the 2025 fiscal year ended with approximately $45,000 in unexpended funds which will go into a non-lapsing account held by the town for the benefit of the school. Case said he would adopt a “zero-base” budgeting approach when developing the next year’s budget after an extended discussion about transfers between accounts.

“I am still on my listening tour,” said Case, referencing meetings with town officials, staff, board members, residents and community leaders. He will succeed principal Lauren Valentino as a liaison with the town’s Economic Development Commission, which is now led by Brett Robbins.

Case described his priorities for the year as communicating and marketing the “outstanding educational program” at Botelle. “So many people want to know more,” he said. “I want to dive more deeply into the achievement and school climate data and highlight the personalized instruction that students are getting.”

Valentino reported that Botelle will start the year with an enrollment of 55 students in early primary through the upper intermediate level. The teaching staff, many of whom could be seen setting up their classrooms during the meeting, remains consistent with last year with one exception. Kathy Dravis, an experienced music educator, will join the Botelle staff two days a week teaching general, vocal and instrumental music. Jodi Marinelli will also be rejoining as cafeteria supervisor.
The Parent Teacher Organization will sponsor a “Back to School” ice cream social on Friday, Sept. 5, at 5 p.m., on the Botelle playground. The next Board of Education meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 6:30 p.m.