Schools

New School Board Sworn In

Mary Grace Reed named chairman with unanimous support.

At the first meeting of the year, newly elected Farmington Board of Education members were sworn in and took their places at the table to appoint officers.

Bill Beckert made the motion to name Mary Grace Reed board chairman and the motion passed with unanimous support.

“Mary Grace has fostered an atmosphere of nonpartisanship …and of cooperation between the Town Council and the Board of Education,” Beckert said. “That is an example Mary Grace has put forth for all of us in public service… I’ve gotten to know her very well … and I’m proud to call her our chairman and my friend.”

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Reed, who has served 20 years on the Board of Education, and as the most recent chairman, said she would never forget Beckerts’ words.

“I look forward to living up to what it means to be supported by each of you as your chair. I think the most important things we do as a Board of Education here in Farmington is to number one, ensure the needs of all students are met at all times and two, make sure we do it in a way that is completely bipartisan; that we put students first,” Reed said. “That mission vision is the first, middle and last thing I always say — not because it’s my belief but because that is the legacy of the Farmington Board of Education and of all of those who have come before us… It is the reason that this school system is as good as it is.”

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Melanie Meehan nominated Betsy Kaplan as vice-chair, who was also confirmed with unanimous support.

The board includes new members Bernie Erickson and Meredith Trimble, elected to their first term in November, and returning members Paula O'brien, Betsy Kaplan and Mary Grace Reed. Bill Beckert, Jon Landry, Ellen Siuta, Melanie Meehan were not up for reelection.

The new board meets next on Monday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. at West Woods Upper Elementary School and will soon after begin reviewing 2012-2013 budget information. According to the school district budget outline, Superintendent Kathleen Greider is scheduled to present her budget to the board on Feb. 7. The board is expected to submit its budget to the Town Manager on Feb. 18.

For more information visit the district's website.


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