Keegan to Chair Hamden Board of Education

In his dozen years on the Board of Education, John Keegan has served in just about every role possible, and now he can add chairman of the board to that list.

The board recently selected Keegan to replace Michael D'Agostino, who was sworn in last week as the State Representative for the 91st District in Hartford, having been elected to the seat last November.

"I am pleased and honored to be elected chair of the board," Keegan said.

"In Hamden, we are fortunate to have a dedicated and exceptional group of board members, which will make my job so much easier," he said. "And as I enter my 12th year on the board, it seems chairperson is the only role I have not previously held."

"The Board, and Town, is fortunate to have John in this role," D'Agostino said. "He brings a wealth of experience and compassion to the job as chair."

While the board will continue to focus on academics, in the wake of the Sandy Hook school shooting, security will also be a priority, Keegan said.

"I expect the board to continue its primary mission of improving the educational achievement of all the students in the system, with a renewed emphasis on safety and security in our schools," he said. "Our superintendent and our administrators have done a great job setting the district on the path of continued improvement and under my leadership, the board will continue to promote and support these efforts."

And as budget season approaches, his first action as chairman was to name Jim Pascarella as chairman of the Finance Committee, the position Keegan himself held before being elected chairman. 

"He brings tremendous energy and experience from years of involvement in the community, most recently as President of the Legislative Council," Keegan said. "The budget process is an never an easy one and this year is expected to be no different."

There's still an open seat on the board due to D'Agostino's resignation, and that seat is expected to be filled at the Feb. 12 school board meeting, Keegan said.