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Walsh Intermediate School in Branford
Photo: Mark Zaretsky / Hearst Connecticut Media FileWalsh Intermediate School in Branford
Walsh Intermediate School in Branford
Walsh Intermediate School in Branford
BRANFORD — Tim Raynor and Peter Berdon are the new Board of Education members who will replace former Chairwoman Shannen Sharkey and Maria Ehrhardt, who both resigned Sept. 2.
Berdon and Raynor, both former members of the Representative Town Meeting, were chosen by other board members last week to serve until the next municipal election in November 2021. Berdon, a Republican, is a lawyer who has had children in the district and also is a former school board member, Chairman John Prins said Friday.
Raynor, a Democrat, is an educator who was a teacher in New Haven and Stratford before working in higher education at Albert Magnus College and University of Bridgeport.
They were chosen from a pool of seven applicants after interviews at a Board of Education special meeting Wednesday afternoon and evening.
With each current board member casting votes for their top three choices, Raynor drew five votes while Berdon drew four.
The other applicants were Leesan Villa, Judith Barron and Derek Green, who drew three votes each, along with Vanessa Reale and Patrick Fryer.
Prins said he and other board members were impressed with the quality of the applicants.
“We had really committed, dedicated people who were willing to step up,” said Prins, who was elected by other board members to replace Sharkey as chairman on Sept. 29. “This is a really difficult time.”
The board urged several of the applicants to remain engaged and Prins said it’s likely that some of them will seek to run next November, when four seats on the board will be up for election.
“This was quite a fascinating process,” Prins told the board after members made the selection.
“Thank you to everyone who participated,” said board member Cristine Cantu.
When asked why he wanted to serve on the board, Raynor told board members, “I believe in service. ... I believe we have an obligation to serve our family. I believe we have an obligation to serve our country.”
In addition to serving on the RTM, Raynor said he served on the Board of Fire Commissioners and coached youth T-ball, basketball and soccer.
Asked what he considered to be good attributes for a board member, Raynor said, “you want people that are good listeners,” as well as people who know how to collaborate and are respectful.
Asked about his vision for the board, Raynor said what’s important is that “we create an inclusive environment where all students can be successful.” Communication is key, he said.
mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
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