“I’ve been thinking about how, simply by virtue of our positions as educators, we carry our students, their families, our district, and our communities,” Region 20 Education Association President Lynn Rice Scozzafava told nearly 200 colleagues gathered for the district’s first-ever convocation, held earlier this week at the newly named Lakeview High School. “It’s time to recognize all the carrying we’ve done, to acknowledge it, and to celebrate it. And now that we’re here, I am hopeful we’ll continue carrying each other in ways that honor where we come from and where we’re going.”
Region 20 formed when residents of Goshen, Morris, Warren (previously Region 6) and Litchfield voted to merge their two school districts into one. The merger became official July 1, and R20EA—the new teachers’ union—now represents educators from all of the towns’ public schools.
R20EA President Lynn Rice Scozzafava welcomes members to the first-ever Region 20 convocation.
“We’re doubling the size of our faculty and the number of our buildings and students, and most importantly, exponentially improving what we can offer the children and families in our four small towns,” Scozzafava said. “We’ve been neighbors and family members for years, so it makes sense that we come together now to raise our voices and collective profile as educators dedicated to our students, our profession, and each other. Our motto is ‘Unity in Action,’ and I’m so excited that more and more members are finding ways to engage within our association both on a local and state level. There is power in numbers.”
“It’s been so gratifying to watch your education leaders, the teachers in this district who pour their heart and soul into the work that is so incredibly important,” CEA President Kate Dias Dias told the educators assembled at Monday’s convocation. Joining her was CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey. “We could not miss this celebration. We’re really excited for you!”
Energizing the crowd, an all-staff rock band including teachers, administrators, school nurses, and custodians performed hits like, “I’m Still Standing,” “I Will Survive,” and “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow.”
History teacher Rob Gollow says merging districts has benefits for Region 20 students and educators alike.
“Like any transition, the merging of our districts has had many moving parts and bumps in the road,” Scozzafava said, noting that the band’s setlist reflected not only that reality but also the optimism Region 20 teachers are feeling as they head into the new school year. “So many members have been vocal in their appreciation for our union leadership, and so many other local association presidents have offered their support, that I cannot help but feel gratitude for and pride in this entire organization.”
The negotiated merger resulted in a contract that not only retained all educators’ positions but also raised the salaries of those who had been earning less under their previous district’s contract.
“It’s a win-win,” said CEA UniServ Rep Joe Zawawi, who represents Region 20 teachers.
Center School kindergarten teachers Nadene McDermott-Stevenson and Ashley LaBonte are excited about the new school year and the fact that play-based learning, thanks to a law supported by CEA, has been built into their students’ schedules.
Echoing that sentiment, Rob Gollow—who has taught at Litchfield Middle School (now renamed Plumb Hill School) for 25 years—said, “Region 20 is going to be great. We’re going to offer more classes, we’re going to offer more friends and more athletic teams, and our union is behind all of that. Teachers were a massive driving force in this merger, as a lot of us live in one of the four towns, and we are 100% behind this, all the way.”
Center School kindergarten teachers Nadene McDermott-Stevenson and Ashley LaBonte agreed.
“I know R20EA will continue to support us as the educators who spearheaded this merger and will be leading the children through a successful school year,” LaBonte said. “Our union listened to us as we headed into negotiations. Leadership listened to the teachers, what we needed, and what would help us feel supported through this merger. They care about our opinions and what’s important to us.”
“We are so grateful for everything they’ve done so far and are looking forward to a positive start to the new year,” said McDermott-Stevenson. “Whether we had questions or something on our minds, our union really paid attention to what we were asking.”
