By James Lomuscio
With its election of officers tonight, Westport’s seven-member Board of Education displayed a nonpartisan nature as Democrats and Republicans nominated each other for key positions.
Republican Jeannie Smith nominated Democrat Michael Gordon for another term as board chairman, a position to which he was reelected by a vote of 6 to 0 with 1 abstention. Gordon abstained.
“Michael has proved to be a strong leader in one of the more challenging volunteer jobs in town” said Smith, adding that Gordon “leads in a nonpartisan manner.”
Democrat Candice Savin seconded the nomination, calling Gordon “a generous chair” who treats all with respect and courtesy, as well as being “a tireless advocate for the children of Westport.”
Following his reelection, Gordon said he felt “humbled to be on this board.”
“It is a consequential time for all of us,” he added in reference to the board’s fiscal challenges ahead in the wake of the state’s fiscal malaise.
Democrat Elaine Whitney nominated Smith for reelection as vice chairwoman, a position she won by a vote of 6 to 0 with 1 abstention, her own.
Whitney described Smith, a former teacher, as someone not only “truly passionate about education,” but who has educator experience to support it. One of Smith’s core strengths, Whitney said, was “bringing people together.”
Republican Karen Kleine echoed Whitney’s comments, adding that Smith is “not only a board member, but a customer with four children in the schools.”
Board member Mark Mathias nominated Whitney, a past board chairwoman, for reelection as board secretary. It was seconded by Republican board member Vik Muktavaram, and Whitney was elected, again by a vote of 6 to 0 with 1 abstention, her own.
Mathias praised Whitney’s experience, saying she has served nine years on the board.
“She brings a lot of institutional memory, what we did and when,” Mathias said.
He also pointed out that Whitney served on the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE), “so we reach beyond the board.”
