Date: Fri 15-Mar-1996

By STEVE BIGHAM

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Ron-Vitarelli-Sandy-Hook-

Full Text:

Ron Vitarelli Will Step Down Has Sandy Hook Principal

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Revered by many for his loyalty to his teachers and love of children, Sandy

Hook School Principal Ron Vitarelli will step down from his post this spring

after 21 years of service in the Newtown school district.

Mr Vitarelli announced the news to his staff Thursday morning. He will leave

his position at the school at the end of June.

"I have mixed feelings about leaving. I love my school, and I can't imagine

not being here forever, but there comes a time when you have to move on,"

explained the Middlebury resident earlier this week.

Though he's leaving, Mr Vitarelli said he isn't quite ready to retire from the

world of education, yet. He's currently considering other job options in the

field.

Mr Vitarelli said he had considered making a move at the start of the school

year and made a final decision around Christmas time.

Sandy Hook School lead teacher Jeri Hansen-Balt said the Mr Vitarelli's 19

years of leadership and support will truly be missed. That feeling is shared

by those who worked for him as evident by the reaction to his announcement at

a morning staff meeting.

"I've never seen a faculty meeting with him running it that has been dead

silent. There wasn't a sound," she said. "He's going to be missed

tremendously."

Mrs Hansen-Balt, a first grade teacher, said Mr Vitarelli's guidance was the

key to the success of Sandy Hook School as it went through many changes over

the years.

"He's been supportive of his staff both personally and professionally over the

years," she noted. "He always went the extra mile for you."

Fifth grade teacher George Stockwell said he has mixed feeling about Mr

Vitarelli's decision.

"Ron has become synonymous with Sandy Hook School and you hate to see him

leave, but, on the other hand, he'll now have a chance to pursue other

things."

Superintendent of Schools John R. Reed said Mr Vitarelli earned a strong

reputation in town for his ability to lead Sandy Hook School.

"He made my job easy on many occasions. I wish him nothing but the very best,"

the schools chief said.

Mr Vitarelli arrived in Newtown in 1975 as principal of Hawley School. After

just two years, he was moved to Sandy Hook School. The news of his transfer

from Hawley saddened many parents who liked the way he ran the school and

wanted him to stay. At the time, The Newtown Bee asked Mr Vitarelli what his

reaction was to all the positive attention.

"My mother enjoys it the most," he replied.

Mr Vitarelli still laughs at that today.

"My mother's a typical mama Ã proud of her sons. She's 90 now," he said.

Mr Vitarelli befriended former Newtown principal Edgar Rodriguez when he first

arrived in Newtown and refers to him as his mentor. Mr Rodriguez, was

principal at both Hawley and Head O' Meadow schools, died in 1989.

Before coming to Newtown, Mr Vitarelli was a principal of four primary schools

in Region 12, which includes Roxbury, Bridgewater and Washington.

Mr Vitarelli recalls three events that highlighted his career at Sandy Hook

School. Topping the list was when he and staff members managed to uncover a

serious case of child abuse, then managed to have the children removed from

the situation.

"That was a good feeling to know we were able to help out," he recalled.

The Sandy Hook School chief called the school's 1991-92 addition and

refurbishing a high point, as was the school's successful push to put more

focus on the arts.

Mr Vitarelli said he hopes teachers remember him as a good friend and a

professional and his wish was that parents and students remembered him as

someone who truly loved kids.

He said Sandy Hook School always had a special spirit and working climate that

will continue.

"It's been an honor to be a principal in this community," he said.

Mr Vitarelli and his wife, Marie, have two sons Ron, 29, and Rick, 26.

Next HRRA Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event Scheduled In Newtown

Genealogy Club's Next Program To Dig Into 'Dissecting A Civil War Pension Record'

Choral Society Planning ‘Voices Of America’ Performance

Newtown Earth Day Festival Was A Success

Local Fourth Grader To Host ‘Gaming For Change’ On May 16

The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

Enjoyed the forum which only confirmed my support for Brandon Moore as the Democratic candidate to run for the state representative position. Brandon Moore did not waiver about his duty to all the people, if elected, when an issue presents itself that requires that he voice a difference of opinion for the wellbeing of Newtown residents. If Michelle Ku’s 16 years have led to her loyalty being to other elected officials, as she implied, then Newtown is going to continue to witness actions that do not protect its residents. She could not unseat republican, Mitch Bolinsky, during a Blue Wave, and once again, will not do it now. Winning that seat is critical for all. That explains why her previous campaign committee now campaigns for Brandon Moore. It explains all the endorsements he has received from local elected democratic officials. It’s why we need Brandon Moore to be the democratic candidate to run for state representative.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

Appreciated the opportunity to hear from both candidates as we were present for the College Dems forum but only heard from Brandon Moore. It was an opportunity to see who can unseat the Republican incumbent and there is no doubt that Brandon Moore should be the Democratic candidate. One concerned parent posed a question about discrimination unaddressed by the school district and interestingly enough, Michelle Ku, who proudly speaks of her Board membership years, said little, while Brandon Moore passionately addressed the issue along with his experience as an Apache Helicopter Commander. This family is supporting Brandon Moore. We need change and someone who is not afraid to disagree, especially about the rising costs of living in Newtown.

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Date: Fri 15-Mar-1996

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