Board of Education Member Resigns

Mark Owades, a Republican member of Westport’s Board of Education, announced tonight in a computer-enabled appearance ֖ that he intends to resign.

“It is with great sadness that I must announce my intention to resign from the Westport Board of Education,” Owades told fellow board members via a computer connection from California.

“My business obligations have become more time consuming and travel intensive than I had hoped.

“I wish to express my sincere regrets to the citizens of the town of Westport who elected me to the board with the expectation that I would complete my term in good order.”

Owades, 52, whose term expires in November, added that, “I feel that at this time, it is more beneficial to the town and the school system that I step aside in order to allow someone who can devote the appropriate level of attention to this important task to take over.”

He thanked Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon, the staff, and fellow board members “for their devotion to the children of Westport, and their willingness to work with me and each other to create perhaps the finest school system in the state.”

Owades said he will miss “the lively and stimulating debate that our meetings generate, as well as helping our system grow and improve.”

He said he has asked the Republican Town Committee (RTC) to search for a suitable replacement candidate to recommend to the Board of Education.

“I expect that the meeting of March 7, 2005, will be my last, but I will remain on the board until a replacement has been selected.” Owades said.

Board chair Mary Parmelee, a Democrat, upon hearing Owades’ remarks, said, “That’s quite a shock. Wow.”

Owades tben added, “I’ll be there in person next week,” to which Parmeleee responded, “Good, that will give us time to absorb this. Thanks, Mark.

“Elliott (Landon) is already planning pies in your face, just to warn you. You might want to bring a change in clothes.”

At the Westport RTC meeting tonight, chairman Pete Wolgast announced that he would be forming a seven-person committee to interview and recommend one or more candidates for the Board of Education to fill Owades’ position.

Otis Crawford will be chairman of the interviewing committee.

It is expected that sometime during the first half of February the RTC committee will recommend one or more Republicans to the Board of Education to replace Owades, Wolgast saidl

Under the Westport Town Charter, the Board of Education has the full authority to replace a member who resigns.

By precedent, the town committee representing the party of the person who resigns recommends one or more candidates to the board.

In most cases, the board chooses one of the candidates recommended by the party, according to Wolgast.