School Board

Elects Schwartz

By Jeff White

In a special meeting Monday night at Middle Gate Elementary School, the Newtown Board of Education voted unanimously to appoint Lisa Schwartz to fill the vacancy left when Chairperson Amy Dent retired in early November.

The special meeting centered on interviewing Mrs Schwartz for the position. Board members took turns asking the 39-year-old former Legislative Council representative questions concerning her qualifications and views about issues facing the district.

“I’ve always tried to be a good listener,” she told the board, commenting on her ability to think and listen objectively.

Mrs Schwartz brings to the board four years experience on the Legislative Council end of the budget development process, and she said she hoped having insight from that perspective would help the school board during the upcoming budget-drafting meetings in January.

“I am very exited about Lisa joining the board,” commented board member Margaret Hull.

“I can personally attest to [Lisa’s] intelligence and integrity,” added newly sworn in member Sheila Stickles, who said she had known Mrs Schwartz for a number of years.

Although she will be present at next week’s board meeting, Mrs Schwartz will not have the ability to vote until Town Clerk Cindy Curtis Simon swears her in. A letter signed by acting chairperson Elaine McClure will be sent to Mrs Simon later this week.

The school board’s next business meeting will be on December 14, and it is thought that Mrs Schwartz will be sworn in by then and available to participate in the voting.

During her years on the Legislative Council, Mrs Schwartz served on the education subcommittee. She lost her third district seat during November’s election, but was promptly endorsed by the Democratic Town Committee to fill the school board’s vacancy.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal was encouraged this week about the news of Mrs Schwartz’s appointment, saying that he has enjoyed working with her during her years as a council member. “I think she is an excellent choice for the Board of Education,” Mr Rosenthal said. “She’s very thoughtful, she asks good questions, does her homework on issues, so I think she will be a good addition to the board.”