Schools

Kelsey Elected Board of Ed Chair

Former chairman suggests temporarily discontinuing tradition due to board's overall inexperience.

 

Keith Kelsey of Killingworth was elected chairman of the Regional School District 17 Board of Education at the board's regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 6.

While Kelsey's election continued a District 17 tradition of alternating chairmanship between board members living in Haddam and Killingworth, some board members supported Amy Jacques-Purdy in her efforts to remain chair. 

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"I'm very supportive of tradition. I believe it's a good practice," Jaques-Purdy, a Haddam resident and 8-year board member who has served as chairman for the last two years, said after being nominated. 

"I am concerned this year however in that we have a very unusual circumstance with five new board members and five board members with two or less years on the board. So I think the experience factor is significant," she said.

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Jacques-Purdy, who was nominated by board member Susan Dean, a Killingworth resident, and found support from fellow board member Joel D'Angelo, said she felt her experience as board chairman positioned her to continue her leadership role.

"I believe I can lead with the two towns in mind. It's not about town it's about schools in Region 17, it's about our students," she said. "The most important thing to me, however, that comes out of whatever this vote determines is that we move forward as a group and work together for the good of the whole."

Kelsey supported keeping with tradition. 

"I think as a show of good faith to the people of Killingworth it would be responsible for us to continue with the practice," he said.

Kelsey, whose job requires him to be on call for long stretches, said he felt he could manage the duties of a chairman.

After securing the chairman's seat by a 8-3 vote, Kelsey took the time to thank Jacques-Purdy for the two years she served as chair of the board.

"Well first and foremost let me just say one thing, Amy you've done a great job. We appreciate everything you've done. You've committed your heart and soul to the post and you've done an admirable job and we thank you so much."

By a 6-5 vote, Jonathan Wintsch edged Jacques-Purdy for vice chairman of the board.  

The complete list of Regional School District 17 Board of Education members, including newly elected officers, can be found on the district's website.


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