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Coventry committee elects James Pearson chair (4‑3), Anna Dos Reyz Couto vice chair (7‑0); other routine motions pass unanimously
Summary
At its Dec. 12 reorganization, the Coventry School Committee elected James Pearson chair by a 4‑3 roll call, chose Anna Isabel Dos Reyz Couto as vice chair (7‑0), approved Jacqueline Zirba as committee secretary (7‑0) and carried several procedural motions unanimously, including sealing executive session records and approving minutes.
John Anderson, attorney for Coventry Public Schools, called the Dec. 12 meeting to order and oversaw the chair election until a chair was chosen.
The committee nominated James Pearson and Anna Isabel Dos Reyz Couto for chair. After a roll‑call vote, the clerk reported the tally as "4 to 3, James." Anderson declared Pearson elected: "I declare Mr. Pearson, the chair of the Coventry School Committee," and turned the meeting over to him.
Pearson then opened nominations for vice chair. A roll call produced seven votes for Anna Isabel Dos Reyz Couto; the clerk announced, "I have 7 votes for Anna. Anna Isabel Dos Reyz Couto," and the committee congratulated her.
The committee considered the appointment of Jacqueline Zirba to serve as school committee secretary. Member Don Cowart spoke in support, noting Zirba had been training in the role. The committee voted to appoint Jacqueline Zirba; the motion carried 7‑0.
After a recess and an executive session, the committee returned to open session where the chair reported two executive‑session votes had been taken: to approve homeschool requests and to approve the executive session minutes of Nov. 14, 2024. The superintendent reported both motions passed unanimously in executive session.
Back in open session, a motion to seal the executive‑session records passed 7‑0 with a motion citing "sections 42,464 and 42,465." The committee also approved the Nov. 14 minutes in open session by a 7‑0 vote.
Other procedural votes at this meeting included an amendment and final approval of the school committee annual calendar. Committee members moved to add a second meeting in September and October and to change remaining tentative months from "TBD" to "scheduled as needed." The amendment passed 7‑0 and the amended calendar was approved 7‑0.
During the later evening the committee invoked its three‑hour rule to continue past three hours; a motion to continue carried 7‑0. The meeting adjourned after a final motion and unanimous voice vote.
The meeting record shows a mix of contested and unanimous procedural outcomes during the reorganization and routine business portions of the Dec. 12 agenda.
