The vacancy process was changed in the last charter revision process. The updated Charter is available at: https://www.newtown-ct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3546/f/uploads/newtown_charter_2022_final_for_website.pdf.
2-31 on pages 11 - 12 states:
(c) Board of Education: If a vacancy occurs in the office of any member of the local Board of
Education, then the successor shall be determined by:
(1) A majority vote of the remaining members of the same political party of the former
member provided said vote occurs within 45 days of vacancy;
(2) A majority vote of the remaining members regardless of party affiliation after 45 days.
(3) Should the vacancy still not be filled after 90 days, then the current Chair of the Board of
Education shall appoint the successor
(4) Should all seats on the Board of Education become simultaneously vacant, then a special
election shall be called to fill all seats
(5) Any successor(s) so appointed shall serve until the next regular town election for Board
of Education positions, at which election a successor shall be elected for the unexpired
portion of the term, the official ballot specifying the vacancy to be filled.
There is also a restriction re: party, also on page 11:
2-30(c) If a person vacating an elective Town Body shall have been elected as a member of a
political party, the vacancy shall be filled by a member of the same political party.
Respectfully,
Deb Z
Seems to me some local partisan politicians are trying to change the subject. The issue was book banning, making an energized audience. The issue substitution is embarrassing. Let's leave the Partisan Politics at the door or in Washington.