Karen Kleine, a former PTA president and active volunteer with Temple Israel and the Westport Public Library, is the Republican Town Committee’s (RTC) pick to run for the Board of Education, filling the vacancy by Jen Tooker who is running for the Board of Finance..
Kleine will join the GOP slate including Michael McGovern and Jeannie Smith who got the RTC nod for reeletion at its convention in July. The RTC said in a formal statement that if the slate is elected, it will make their party the school board majority, giving it control of the chairmanship.
“Michael McGovern, Jeannie Smith, and Karen Kleine are extremely strong candidates who have each demonstrated their unwavering commitment to excellence in the Westport schools,” noted RTC Chairwoman Desiree Soli. “We are confident that with new strong leadership on the Board of Education in partnership with the team of Jim Marpe and Avi Kaner in the selectman’s office, Westport’s future will indeed be bright.”
The Democratic Town Committee last month nominated Elaine Whitney, board chairman, to run for re-election and Brett Aronow, who last September filled the seat vacated by Democrat Donald O’Day, to run for election.
