NEW HAVEN — Yesenia Rivera, the president of New Haven’s Board of Education, sailed through a Board of Alders confirmation vote despite some limited dissent.
“I have known Ms. Rivera for some years, and I can vouch for her dedication to the New Haven Public Schools,” said Alder Adam Marchand, D-25. “She is smart, she works hard and she is committed to the goal that all students have an opportunity to succeed.”
Rivera was also complimented in a letter written by Carlos Torre, a former president of the school board, read by Alder Jose Crespo, D-16. The former board president complimented Rivera’s congenial demeanor and collaborative leadership.
Alder Evelyn Rodriguez, D-4, also supported Rivera and added that she views Rivera’s ethnicity as positive in a city with so many Latinx students.
“She is the only Hispanic, creating diversity on the board and serving as a representative to over 45 percent Hispanic/Latino students in our New Haven Public Schools,” Rodriguez said.
Two alders spoke in opposition of Rivera’s appointment: Alder Kim Edwards, D-19, and Alder Honda Smith, D-30.
Both said they disagreed with Rivera’s vote to reopen schools in the summer as the rate of COVID-19 infections had started to increase. Ultimately, Rivera was in the minority of that vote and the schools did not reopen.
Edwards said her opposition was not based on any personal or demographic attributes, and “is simply based on decisions that have not been made based on life and death.”
Smith criticized Rivera’s vote on the issue and also criticized a controversial investigation into board member Darnell Goldson’s alleged behavior at public meetings. The investigation, which was authorized to cost up to $14,000, bypassed a board vote because it fell below a threshold for approval, but board members did not intervene to halt the contract.
“We have to protect the taxpayers,” Smith said.
Alder Evette Hamilton, D-24, however, said, “I would urge my colleagues to give her a chance to do a better job.”
Alder Ernie Santiago, D-15, also asked his colleagues to support Rivera despite any disagreements they may have.
“We all make mistakes,” said Santiago. “Just give her a chance to improve.”
Rivera was seated to the board in March 2019 to finish the term of Frank Redente, who retired in the middle of his first term. Rivera has now spent the majority of her time on the board as its president after being elected to the role by her colleagues in January.
She had barely rapped a gavel as president before trading it in for a computer keyboard and online meetings as she was unexpectedly tasked with navigating the school board through an unprecedented global pandemic that saw the board voting to close schools in March..
Rivera is Mayor Justin Elicker’s first appointment to the school board as mayor; four of seven members are appointed by the mayor. The mayor also is a member of the school board.
“I think that she has done an incredible job under very, very difficult circumstances helping the board navigate COVID-19 and all the multitude of crises that have been created under it,” Elicker told the Register after nominating her.
In a Nov. 2 letter to Rivera informing her of his intent to nominate her for a four-year term, Elicker informed her she would serve in the role as president — even though the board votes for its officers every January. Elicker told the Register the inclusion of that information was a clerical error with a form letter.
brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com.
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December 27, 2020 at 07:11PM
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