cheshirecitizen.com
Volume 6, Number 38
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Despite opposition, Solan raise OK’d By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff
From left, Betty Ann Hardy, Mary Lou Greer and Helen Taylor cheer after the American team scored during the women’s Word Cup championship game on Sunday, July 7. The family gathered at Elim Park retirement community to watch Taylor's granddaughter, Alyssa Naeher, the team's goalie. Photos by Devin Leith-Yessian, Record-Journal
Family gathers to watch Naeher win World Cup By Devin Leith Yessian Record-Journal staff
Even when her granddaughter was only 5-years-old and kicking a soccer ball around the yard, Helen Taylor could tell sports would play a big part in her life. But Taylor could never have imagined she would be watching her granddaughter – American goalie Alyssa Naeher – and her teammates win the World Cup Sunday by defeating Netherlands 20.
Naeher’s aunts Mary Lou Greer and Betty Ann Hardy leaned forward in their seats and cheered every time their niece made a save.
See Naeher, A43
During the vote on a raise for Superintendent of Schools Jeff Solan, the board was divided between critics and supporters of his performance over the past year following the suicide of an 11year-old student and complaints of bullying by the public. Both Solan and Chief Operating Officer Vincent Masciana received pay increases of 2.75 percent for the current fiscal year, with Masciana’s raise retroactive to Jan. 1. Solan will make $184,320 this year and Masciana $155,935.
“I knew she’d be something, but I didn’t know she’d be a professional,” said the 100year-old Taylor, who watched the game at Elim Park retirement community with family and friends.
“If I fell like that I’d be broken,” Greer said after a diving save by Naeher.
The Board of Education last week approved contract extensions and raises for two top administrators, but not without opposition from some members.
Helen Taylor cheers during Sunday’s championship game.
school experience. Board member Marlena Soble said comSolan plaints from parents aired at a March forum on school climate was “eye opening” in regards to bullying issues, but that problems weren’t related to Solan. “He has acknowledged areas where there have been mistakes,” Soble said during Tuesday school board meeting. “He has taken criticism, he has taken outright hostility from the public and the board. He has handled all those situations in a calm, professional manner. I think he has earned a salary increase.” Three board members, two Republicans and a Democrat, voted against a raise for Solan.
The four board members, all Democrats, who voted in favor of raising Solan’s pay said that under his ad- Tony Perugini, a board Republican, voted for a conministration, test scores tract extension for Solan have risen and that most students have a good
See Raise, A6
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