[UPDATED] Hennessay Elected New School Board Chairman

Thomas Hennessay has been named the new chairman of the East Haven Board of Education.

Hennessay, a Republican, was elected to serve as the school board's chair by an unanimous 9-0 secret ballot vote at tonight's regularly scheduled meeting at the East Haven High School.

It was the first meeting of the new board following the municipal elections earlier this month.

Hennessay takes the helm after former school board chairman Nicholas Palladino, a Democrat, decided not to run for re-election.

In addition, Republican board member Ronald DeNuzzo was elected vice chairman by a 7-0 vote, with 2 abstentions. And Charles Scalesse, also a Republican, was unanimously voted in as the new board's secretary. 

During his remarks following his election as chairman, Hennessay directed his fellow board members to leave their political affiliations "at the door."

"There's nine board members here with nine different opinions and nine different ways of looking at things," Hennessay said. "And you just have to live with it. Put it aside and just move on."

The new chairman continued, saying that the new board's focus remain on two things: "student achievement and taxpayers' dollars."

 "And I'm very serious about it," he said.

Hennessay added that he also intends to encourage a spirit of team work among the new board, and hopes members will become a "close-knit group" that will work well together for the benefit of the school system and "the kids."

"I would like this to be a very inclusive board," he said. "And I will be seeking out your opinion."

Both DeNuzzo and Scalesse echoed Hennessay's remarks.

"I really think we're going to put our best foot forward," DeNuzzo said.