BOE elects Hoffnagle as chairman

WINSTED — At its regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 13, the Board of Education elected Susan Hoffnagle as its new chairman.Hoffnagle was originally nominated for chairman in November 2009, but lost to former Chairman Kathleen O’Brien.O’Brien served as chairman until her resignation in August.Board member Christine Royer, who served as temporary chairman after O’Brien resigned, was nominated at the meeting to serve as chairman. However, she refused the nomination.“I am absolutely flattered,” Royer said. “I’m not going to cry. I think it’s a lovely idea. But don’t take this wrong. I love all the things about being the board chair. The staff has been fabulous. It’s really been tumultuous. But I really don’t like talking to the press. It makes me feel uncomfortable. I have three beautiful children and I would like to be there for my kids. I am here for as many meetings as I can make. The responsibility of being the chair is greater than I can handle. Thanks, but no thanks.”Board member Richard Dutton then nominated Hoffnagle.“I nominated her a year-and-a-half ago,” Dutton said, “The reason is because she has the availability to put time in during the day and she is not tied down to a job. She has the ability to stay close to the superintendent and the ability to take the time to put in a large amount of work to be an effective chair. I haven’t always agreed with her, but she will be a good chairman in running meetings and talking to the press.”The vote for the chairman position was taken by written ballot. The vote tally was six votes for Hoffnagle, one vote for Royer, and one vote for “Elvis.”Hoffnagle was not present at the Sept. 13 meeting nor was she present at a special meeting held Saturday, Sept. 17.She did not return calls for comment for this story.

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