Howell elected chair; board approves pay raise, twice‑monthly meetings and committee slate

Heather Howell was elected chair of the Suffolk Public Schools Board at the district’s 2025 organizational meeting, and Sean McGee was selected as vice chair, the board announced during its swearing‑in and organizational business session.

The board also approved several housekeeping and governance items, including appointments to standing committees and foundation boards, designation of two superintendent designees, a motion to appoint the clerk and deputy clerk, a $5,000 increase in board member salaries with an additional $1,400 stipend for the chair, and a change to the board’s meeting cadence to include a second monthly meeting beginning March 2025.

Board elections and leadership picks occur every organizational meeting. The new leadership will preside over the district as it finalizes planning for an Innovation Center and a STEM Academy the superintendent said the division plans to launch in the fall.

In nominations and the chair election, Karen Jenkins nominated Heather Howell for chair; another board member nominated Sean McGee. After the roll call, Howell was selected chair and McGee was chosen vice chair. The board…