Trending
NEWTON FALLS -- A man who once worked for the Niles and Weathersfield school districts was hired to be the assistant and interim superintendent for Newton Falls schools starting this summer.
The Board of Education named Rocco Adduci as an assistant superintendent, starting immediately, and then he will become interim superintendent Aug. 1 when Superintendent Paul Woodard, who has served as superintendent for nine years, goes on medical leave.
During July, Woodard will work in the district with assistance from Adduci, attending board meetings and other district meetings via Zoom.
Woodard said he will attend his last board meeting 6 p.m. July 30.
"Mr. Adduci will take an active role in Newton Falls schools. The schools will be in great hands with him. He has worked with and helped many school districts in Trumbull County and has a lot of experience," Woodard said.
Adduci, who attended the June meeting held on Zoom, said he will work with the district through the difficult time with the coronavirus.
Adduci will be paid $270 per day during July. His salary will be $60,000 for the 2020-21 school year
In other business, the board approved a new two-year contract with the Newton Falls Classroom Teachers Association.
Teachers will receive a 2 percent pay increase the first year and a 2 percent increase the second year.
Treasurer Terry Armstrong said the cost for the increases is $75,000, which will be paid for by the savings the district will realize through a retirement incentive program expected to save the district between $175,000 and $200,000 per year for the next three years.
He said the projected savings is based on three teachers taking the incentive.
Teachers who took the retirement incentive are Cynthia Urbach effective June 30, Roy Sembach effective June 1, and Kimberly Pierson effective July 1.
In other business, officials are preparing for the 2020-21 school year and the challenges that schools may face.
Woodard said several committees made up of board members, school administrators and staff and residents have been formed to address elementary building, high school building, remote learning, building/ facility planning, transportation, food service and supplies / equipment procurement.
He said much of preparing for the opening of schools will be guided by Governor DeWine's guidance for schools, the Ohio Department of Health as well as working with the Trumbull County Combined Health District.
Board member Julie Stimpert said what is being done to prepare for the fall is phenomenal.
"Everyone has been putting their best foot forward no matter what we may face," she said.
Woodard said there has been talk of schools starting after Labor Day, with teachers starting a week before to allow more time to prepare for the new school year.
He said the next year could be more of a hybrid schedule, with some students attending some days and others attending on other days, with extensive cleaning.
"We will be ready for all scenarios. There will be a lot to tackle over the summer," Woodard said.
He said principals and supervisors will be working 15 more days beyond their contracts over the summer to help prepare the schools.
Officials are reviewing feedback surveys from parents on how online learning went during the spring when the schools were closed because of the pandemic.
bcoupland@tribtoday.com