Debbie Leidlein announced at the school board’s meeting on Monday, June 30, that it would be her final meeting as the board’s chair.

“I’ve had some experiences in my personal life recently that have made it difficult for me to focus 100 percent of my attention to the Board of Education and to being the chair of the Board of Education,” Ms Leidlein announced. “And so, after tonight’s meeting, I will be stepping down as chair at the Board of Education.”

Ms Leidlein said the decision was made with deep regret.

“It was a very difficult decision on my part and one that I discussed with my family, but I truly feel it is in the best interest of Newtown that I step down as chair so that the board can continue to move forward,” said Ms Leidlein, who has served as the school board’s chair since a December 9, 2011.

Also during its meeting, the school board unanimously passed plans on for further review for the third of six build phases for the new Sandy Hook School building project, unanimously passed adjustments to the 2014-15 school budget as presented by Business Director Ron Bienkowski, and approved the monthly financial report for May.

The school board also hired James Ross as assistant principal at Newtown Middle School along with highlighting students and work completed by General Electric’s Joni Capoccitti.