Seventh School Board Seat Filled By Kathleen Christie

By Eliza Hallabeck

The seventh seat for the Board of Education, which was left open by the resignation of Lorraine Santore earlier this month, was filled this week after the board held two nights of interviews.

As a Newtown resident Kathleen Christie said she believes there are wonderful people in town, and each of them have a role to play. She said when she saw the advertisement for the open seat on the Board of Education in the newspaper, she applied.

“I think it is important to get involved,” said Ms Christie, “rather than sit on the sidelines.”

Board of Ed Chairperson Elaine McClure said ten people were interviewed from the position. During an executive session of the board on October 21, six people were interviewed, and on October 23 four other applicants were seen. Ms McClure said the board came out of executive session on October 23 and voted for Kathleen Christie for the seventh position. Ms McClure said Ms Christie’s strong financial background will be helpful for the board.

Ms Christie was sworn in as the seventh member of the Board of Education on October 29.

Since 1988 Ms Christie has been working for IBM as a senior client finance manager. Ms Christie said she has been a Newtown resident for ten years, and she has two children enrolled in the public school system. She has also volunteered time on the Newtown Economic Development Committee.

Ms Christie said she is hoping to bring her financial background and analytical skills to the school board. She plans to work toward a strategic plan for the school district and help with the Newtown High School expansion project.

“From a strategic planning perspective I think it’s important that the town look forward,” said Ms Christie.

The position Ms Christie is filling was left open by a member of the Republican party, and after inspection the seat was open to people from any political association. Ms McClure said there was representation from four different parties applying for seat.

Members of the board said they were impressed by Ms Christie’s accomplishments in town.

“I’m delighted that we picked her,” said board member Lillian Bittman.

Ms Bittman said she has known Ms Christie for awhile through work on the Reed Intermediate School and Sandy Hook School newspapers. Ms Bittman said Ms Christie volunteers time to do layout for the school publications, but in deciding on the candidate for the board, Ms Bittman said she put her previous knowledge of Ms Christie behind her.

“I think she is going to be a real good voice on the Board of Ed,” said Ms Bittman.

Ms Bittman said she likes the way she applies her knowledge to life in town.

“She’s a very clear thinker,” said Ms Bittman. “Professional and very analytical.”

Ms Bittman said she knows Ms Christie will be a strong member of the board, because Ms Christie already has been volunteering in town and she knows residents through that.

 “We are excited to have our seventh member and we look forward to working with her,” said Ms McClure.

Ms McClure said she was also impressed by Ms Christie’s financial background.

“When I look at the future,” said Ms McClure, “we are working on the [high school] addition, we have the budget coming, and we are working on the strategic plan. It’s a very busy and exciting time to be on the board.”

Board member Kathryn Fetchick said she was extremely impressed by the candidate’s business experience and professionalism. She said she appreciated that Ms Christie previously volunteered to serve on the Newtown Economic Development Commission.

“She has a business background, and children in the school system,” Ms Fetchick said. “I felt she would bring some pragmatism to the board and I thought she was an excellent candidate.”

Other members of the board either declined comment or were unavailable for comment before this edition of The Bee went to press.