Alicia Gudutti elected chair; Catherine Russ confirmed as Cromwell Board secretary

Alicia Gudutti was elected chair of the Cromwell Board of Education after board members opened nominations at the start of the meeting and nominated Gudutti by name. With no additional nominees, the board approved her by a show of hands; Catherine Russ, who served as moderator during the election under Cromwell policy 9120, handed over the gavel.

At Gudutti’s request, the board then considered nominations for secretary. Miss Franklin nominated Catherine Russ, and the board approved Russ by voice and show of hands. Both elections were conducted as part of the meeting’s opening business and recorded without recorded opposition.

The board used the opening time to thank outgoing chair Selena Kelleher for a decade of service, including four years as chair, and read a letter from Kelleher reflecting on accomplishments such as the new middle school and student outcomes. Superintendent Doctor Macri and other members praised Kelleher’s leadership and the relationships she built with administrators, staff and families.

The board approved the meeting agenda and moved into substantive business, noting that several committee appointments and chair assignments would be deferred until the next regular meeting to allow time for member discussions.

The decisions were procedural and carry no budgetary effect; the board’s governance work will continue with the new chair and secretary leading subsequent agenda planning and committee assignments.