At the March 20th Trumbull County Educational Service Center Board of Education meeting, the TCESC Board accepted the retirement resignations of Treasurer Lori Simione and Pupil Service Director Kathleen Vilsack.
Simione has dedicated 27 years of her career to education, starting in Girard in 1996 before joining the Trumbull County Educational Service Center (TCESC) as Assistant Treasurer in 1997. Within a year, she transitioned to Treasurer, a role she has held for the past 24 years.
As TCESC Treasurer, Simione manages the budget, grants, and payroll for 300 employees at the ESC. She also serves as Treasurer of the Insurance Consortium of Trumbull County Schools and oversees the financial transactions of the Trumbull County Transportation Consortium. In addition, Simione has been called upon to serve as Interim Treasurer for several Trumbull County school districts, including Bristol, Howland, Liberty, Maplewood, McDonald, Niles, Southington, and Weathersfield.
Simione is proud that her office has transitioned to a paperless system, using technology to increase efficiency.
“I am so grateful to have had a position where I am happy to come to work every day and to be surrounded by so many professionals whom I respect,” Simione said.
Vilsack began her career in education 47 years ago at Fairhaven as first a classroom teacher, then a Home Based Teaching Consultant, and finally a supervisor, where she found her passion in guiding the teaching staff.
In 1986, Vilsack joined the TCESC as a Multiple Disability Supervisor, where her career goals continued with another more extensive group of partners with school districts, teachers, assistants, and related services providers.
“I have learned so much from all the experiences, relationships, and professional development I have had while working as an administrator in education specific to disabilities,” said Vilsack.
As Pupil Services Director, she oversees the TCESC’s special education services through classroom and related professional service programs. These programs help school districts to identify children with disabilities and provide them with an appropriate public education.
“My feelings toward retirement show gratitude and a certain sense of contentment with what I have accomplished in the career I chose for myself,” said Vilsack.
Both retirements will be effective as of July 31, 2023.