Peter Sherr Named Board of Education Chair

The Board of Selectmen (BOS) appointed Peter Sherr as the new chairman of the Board of Education (BOE) on Thursday morning.

Peter Sherr (R) was dubbed the BOE Chair on Thursday morning (GPS photo)
Peter Sherr (R) was dubbed the BOE Chair on Thursday morning (GPS photo)

Sherr, a Republican and the board’s longest tenured member, was chosen by the BOS after the BOE held three separate officer elections that turned up in no majority decisions.

Per state statute, since the BOE had not elected a Chairperson and Secretary within one month following elections due to tie votes, the BOS had the final say in appointments.

First Selectman Peter Tesei said that the appointment was the first of its kind in modern memory.

“I’ll try to do the best job I can for the children of our town,” said Sherr. “I’m pleased to tell you that all eight of us are deeply committed to the success of children in this town.”

Tesei and Selectman John Toner called the situation “unfortunate” that the BOE could not come to a resolution on this themselves.

“They always seem to work to and come to a resolution,” said Tesei. “Unfortunately for whatever reason, that did not happen after multiple tries. It is unfortunate that we have to deal with this because it’s about people. We all generally like each other, but we have to make judgements.”

Before the motion for Sherr to chair the BOE, Selectman Marzullo asked his fellow board to join him in supporting the current BOE Chair Laura Erickson.

Selectman Drew Marzullo said when he found out the Board of Selectmen had the duty of choosing a BOE chair, he requested to meet with all members of the board.

“I requested such because my vote, speaking for myself, should not be made in a vacuum,” said Marzullo. “It was important for me to gage from the board members, which I did, the thoughts, opinions, concerns and input for the next year.”

Marzullo cited a “decade-old, unofficial rule,” in his motion to dub Erickson as the education board chair.

“For the last decade, if not more, the Education chair has served two years, setting up a precedent, for many good reasons if you think about it,” said Marzullo. “In doing so, I think right now under these circumstances, it’s sending a message that would be clear. In a time of such political dysfunction on so many other levels than us, our board would be a rise above that.”

His motion did not receive a second.

Tesei, who seconded Toner’s motion to appoint Sherr, came with praise to the leader of the BOE’s negotiating team.

“Peter has seen two superintendents and the problems encountered with them and for them,” said Tesei. “Peter has a personal interest in the success of the system. He has the seniority and certainly the intelligence. He asks probing questions, sometimes to the unease of his fellow board members. He’s clearly had a recurring view that things can be done differently and be done better.”

A vote of 3-0-0 gave Sherr the BOE Chair for the term.

Lauren Rabin was also appointed BOE Secretary in a 3-0-0 decision.

 

Related Posts
Loading...