Lilly, Stepien on hot seat over missed training session

by Terry Duffy
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, June 23, 2007

With summer upon us, the high school graduations held last night and another school year just concluded, one would have thought that Tuesday’s Lewiston-Porter School Board session would have been a rather low-key affair, with closing accolades, the finalizing of routine district matters and planning for a new School Board en route to the July 5 organizational meeting.

It didn’t quite work out that way.

Rather, it seemed a return to the pre-election dissension amongst some members of the soon-to-be departing School Board, who that night put returning 2007-08 members Ed Lilly and Scott Stepien on notice they’ll be subject to a Saturday, June 30, hearing over “official misconduct” allegations that both Lilly and Stepien failed to fulfill a “fiscal responsibility training” session as per New York State Education law requirements.

Following a return from a brief executive session, Board President David Schaubert along with Louis Palmeri, board vice president, who like Schaubert, attended his final board meeting that night, presented for approval a resolution, stating the district is “… in receipt of a Charge of Official Misconduct against Edward Lilly and Scott Stepien …” for not attending the meeting. They called for a hearing on the issue, which will see School Board attorney F. Warren Kahn serving as “a neutral, non-voting presiding officer” and “marshal and present … any available evidence reading the matters charged.”

‘Law is the Law’

“The law is the law is the law,” stated Schaubert following board approval of two resolutions by 4-2 votes (with Lilly and Stepien voting no) to schedule the hearing.

Lilly attempted to get the matter addressed that evening, without success. He also requested that Schaubert explain the issue to the audience gathered, again without success.

So just what is going on here? Good question.

“Schaubert and Palmeri are continuing to slander me,” said an aggravated Lilly following the Tuesday meeting. He pointed out that he had missed similar sessions over the years and added that Lenny Palumbo, who is not returning to the board, also did not attend the session.

“The people ironically who have approved millions of dollars of no-bid contracts are seeking my removal for not attending a training seminar about finances,” said Lilly. “For 10 years, I have always done what’s proper for the citizens and students. Schaubert’s and Palmeri’s personal vendetta will ultimately cost the taxpayers unnecessary spending.”

Stepien was unavailable for comment on the issue as the Sentinel went to press.

News and Notes

Moving on to other items of note from the Tuesday session:

•Lew-Port Class of ‘07 member Patrick Linnane was presented the Lou Corriere Memorial Scholarship that evening by High School Principal Paul Casseri, Mark Johnson and Ann Johnston. The award is presented each year in remembrance of former teacher and coach, Lou Corriere, who passed away recently.

•The Board approved a contract bid covering upcoming construction of the synthetic turf field and track at the high school to Anastasi Trucking and Paving Co. in the amount of $1,322,940 by a 5-1 vote.

Lilly, who voted no on the item, objected due to the board’s past handling of the project, which included input by the SWBR Architectural firm, whose involvement Lilly raised issue on in the past. He told the board he objected due to the fact that no other options (bids) had been presented, and that he felt it also presented problems with expected Power Authority/Greenway funding that has yet not been received by the district.

Truesdale Honored

•Recognizing the efforts over the years by buildings and grounds director Alan Truesdale, the board voted 6-0 to approve naming of the district’s new buildings and grounds facility “The Alan Truesdale Maintenance Building. District Interim Superintendent Don Rappold presented a plaque that night, which will be placed on the building.

•The board announced the following retirements, all effective on June 30: elementary education teachers Gloria Chiodo, Mary Anne Decker and Rona Malinowski; and English teacher Sue N. Mirabelli. The board also accepted the resignations of Christopher D’Anna, after school assistance program teacher, and Michelle Helwig Georger, and announced the retirement of Marilyn Nicoletti from the position of a non-instructional teacher aid.

•Departing board members Schaubert and Palmeri offered upbeat comments on their experiences on the School Board, both noting improvements to the district’s education and finances under their tenure. Schaubert said he’s always strived to do what’s best for Lew-Port, while Palmeri stated that he felt such issues as personnel and accountability are now being better addressed.

Departing member Palumbo issued a statement where he thanked the district and the board for providing him “a worthwhile learning experience” during his tenure. He likewise offered high praise for Lew-Port, pointing out his past associations with the late Coach Lou Corriere, was “among those I treasure most.”