8 August—That it took a Freedom of Information request for Litchfield First Selectman Denise Raap to see Region 20’s personnel information in an effort to get to the bottom of and try to resolve the new region’s budget shortfall is incredibly disturbing. Selectman Jeff Zullo called it “ridiculous.” Selectman John Bongiorno, a former Litchfield Board of Education member, who’s always been on top of money matters, inter alia, commented, “We need to make sure this never happens again. There need to be more eyes on the budget going forward.”

The selectmen have, of course, received the information. I couldn’t legally be withheld from anyone. But it shouldn’t have required an FOI request to get it. And Region 20’s acting superintendent and her staff should have known that. Most personnel information, including but not limited to labor contracts and individual salaries, is considered public and must be made availablefor inspection upon request—and without question or written application—to any member of the public. Written application may be demanded for copies, as may a fair charge.

But the municipal CEO—an ex-officio member of all boards—shouldn’t have to resort to a formal request to get anything. Period.

With that out of the way and while on the subject of FOI, JohnMcKenna, publisher and editor of Litchfield.bz, did use an FOI request to get the undated letter of resignation Superintendent Chris Leone had tendered to the Region 20 BOE at the end of June, a few days before the new region became official. Here it is, verbatim and without comment:

Dear Region 20 Board of Education,

At this time, I inform the Region 20 Board of Education that based on recent comments by member(s) I am clearly persona non grata and don’t wish to continue to work for, or in, a hostile environment. I have done that for too long and it is not in the best interest of personal health.

Therefore, per contract (Section V. E) this letter serves as my contractual obligation of four month notice of resignation which is being submitted under duress. After four long years of work for three entities I will be retiring from public education and not be moving forward in any further capacity with Region 20.

This letter also serves as an update to my current medical status. I did have a setback in late May and some other conditions are currently being evaluated. The good news, for those that have issued kind wishes, is that physical therapy on the reconstructed ankle will start soon.

As I have been verbally advised by Region 20 BOE leadership that I am the only individual in the new district without carry-over of sick days, and that FMLA does not apply, I have been placed in a unique and further hostile environment with this resignation.

Therefore, I will utilize the following provisions:

1) 18 sick days (Section 3. D)

2) 5 personal days (Section 3. E)

3) 3 vacation days (Section 3. A)

The balance of the 120-days included in this notice (94-days less holidays) will be unpaid. I will arrange via Debbie DeLisle to secure my personal possessions when I am cleared to fully drive.

Best wishes for all your future endeavors. As a parent of a future Region 20 graduate I look forward to the excellent accomplishments of the new district.

Chris

CC: Debbie DeLisle, Human Resources