Schools

School Board Elects Leaders, Names New Member

A familiar face will fill the vacant seat left on the Board of Education by Austin Cesare's election to the Legislative Council.

 

Republican incumbent Board of Education member Chris Honen lost his bid for reelection last month but will still serve on the school board for the next two years.

Honen was named to replace fellow Republican board member Austin Cesare, who won an at-large seat on the Legislative Council Nov. 8. The Republican Town Committee chose Honen to replace Cesare, and the school board was more than happy to affirm that choice.

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There were two people interested in the empty seat, board chairman Michael D'Agostino said, but the other person has only recently switched political parties from Democrat to Republican and hadn't been a registered Republican long enough to be considered for the seat.

"Even if [Honen] had been one of 100 candidates, I think he would have been the unanimous choice of the board," D'Agostino said. "His contributions have been outstanding and we are all happy he is willing to continue to serve on the board."

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"He has been a great influence, especially on the Operations Committee," said board member Adam Sendroff. 

"He's been a very diligent and dedicated board member," agreed board member Lesley DeNardis. "He has contributed a lot, especially in the area of technology, and he is very deserving of this appointment."

Town Clerk Vera Morrison was at the meeting and immediately swore Honen in as a board member.

At the start of the first regular monthly meeting after the elections, the board Tuesday reelected D'Agostino as chairman and chose Sendroff as secretary, replacing John Keegan, who did not seek another term as secretary. 

The board still has a vacant seat after long-time member  at the start of Tuesday's meeting. Several members, including D'Agostino, urged him to reconsider, but if he stands by his decision, the Democratic Town Committee will recommend another person to fill the seat, which the board would have to approve.

 

 


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