Wethersfield School Board acts on staffing matters, recognizes students
By Dave ClarkeSeptember 28, 2026
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Wethersfield Board of Education President Steve Newman congratulates Gracie Garcia, left, Wethersfield High School Student of the Month, and Adelyn Segura, Positive Student Athlete of the Month. [Photo by Dave Clarke]
After a rousing Pledge of Allegiance led by 29 members of the third and fourth grade choir, the Wethersfield Board of Education opened its September meeting by introducing four of the five new members of the district staff at its September meeting.
They were:
Maintenance coordinator Andrew Birdsong
Technology coordinator Damon Pyle
Emma Claeys, fifth grade teacher
Rachel Preston, junior high social science teacher
Ryan Hansen, the new high school resource teacher and golf coach, was unable to attend the meeting due to a meet at Midland Golf Club.
The fourth and fifth grade choir may have its first booking. School board President Steve Newman asked the students if they knew the Star-Spangled Banner. Most quickly raised their hands. Newman then invited them to consider singing the National Anthem at a Flying Geese basketball game this season.
Wethersfield Elementary fourth and fifth graders opened the school board’s September meeting by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. [Photo by Dave Clarke]
At the conclusion of the Pledge, fifth grader Layla Ehnle read a short essay she wrote about what being in the choir meant to her.
The board also recognized and commended sophomore Adelyn Segura who was named Student Athlete of the Month for August, and Gracie Garcia who was named Student of the Month.
According to her coaches, Adelyn is always there to help and always supports her teammates. She also goes above and beyond what is asked of her. She is a newly chosen member of Wethersfield’s Student Leadership Athletic Council.
Gracie’s teachers said she is someone they can count on to volunteer, complete tasks correctly and approach difficult challenges with an open mind. She was recognized for consistently demonstrating courage through her leadership, creativity and willingness to step outside of her comfort zone.
Superintendent Kurtis Smyth shared an email from one of the officials of the varsity football game with Abingdon-Avon at Annawan on Aug. 28. The official commended the positive behavior of the Annawan-Wethersfield student athletes and the professionalism and positivity of the coaching staff.
New staff members for the 2026-27 school year were announced at the September meeting of the Wethersfield Board of Education. They were, from the left, Emma Claeys, fifth grade, Rachel Preston, junior high social science, Damon Pyle, technology coordinator, and Andrew Birdsong, maintenance coordinator. Absent was Ryan Hansen, high school resource teacher and golf coach. [Photo by Dave Clarke]
The board also accepted the September personnel report.
Approved as follows were:
Tyrone Baker as assistant coach for junior high football.
Bart Frey as head coach for junior high football
Damon Pyle as district IT coordinator
Adriana Garcia and Jessica Shipley as co-freshman class sponsors
Tom McGunnigal as seventh grade boys basketball coach
Jason Burkicwicz as eighth grade boys basketball Coach
Jason Angel as assistant varsity boys basketball coach (paid volunteer)
Andrew Birdsong as district maintenance coordinator
Heather Dana as assistant high school golf coach (volunteer).
Resignations were accepted from Jason Phelps, IT coordinator and head junior high football coach and Aaron Holtschult, maintenance coordinator.
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