Full Text:

Dent Is New School Bd. Chairman

(with cut)

The Newtown Board of Education has elected Amy Dent as its new chairman. Mrs

Dent said that as chairman, she will work to benefit the children while

keeping costs down for the taxpayer.

Mrs Dent has eight years' experience on the Board of Education, the last three

as vice chairman. As a board member she has been involved with policy review,

labor negotiations, district quality council, quality and diversity task force

for the town and region, and the magnet school task force.

Peggy Ilrich-Nims, who seconded Mrs Dent's nomination as chairman, commented

on Mrs Dent's "perceptive questioning that serves us so well in

deliberations."

Mrs Dent has a bachelor's degree in English education from Western Connecticut

and a master's degree in political science from the University of Virginia.

She has also taught English at the seventh and eighth grade levels in

Branford, Conn.

Susan Hills is the newly elected vice chairman.

Elaine McClure commented that Mrs Hills was dedicated to "representing

everybody's child, and determined to keep class sizes low."

Mrs McClure was elected as the board's secretary. Board members commented on

her strengths in finance. She has a wide ranging background, including a

recent position as director of an international school in Geneva, Switzerland

and as well as being the former president of the Newtown PTA Council.