Ansonia Board of Education elects officers, reappoints recording secretary

The Ansonia Board of Education elected Chris Phipps as president, David Knapp as vice president and Beth LaBerge as secretary during its organizational meeting on Dec. 10 at the Mead School cafeteria, and the board appointed Cassie Venson as recording secretary.

Attorney Bryan LeClerc opened the nominations for board officers. Beth LaBerge nominated Chris Phipps for president; Mr. Phipps nominated Dave Knapp for vice president; and Ms. Sharon Voroschak nominated Beth LaBerge for secretary. Each motion was put to a vote and passed with a tally of 6 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain.

Why it matters: The annual organizational meeting sets the board’s leadership and procedural framework for the coming year, determining who will preside over meetings, assign committee work and represent the board in official capacities.

During the meeting Mr. Phipps noted that the board “currently follow[s] Robert’s Rules of Order” and asked members to affirm continuing that practice; the motion to follow Robert’s Rules also passed unanimously. Mr. Phipps then asked members to review a list of committee appointments and said changes could be made at a later date.

In the meeting’s opening, Superintendent Joe DiBacco called the session to order and Attorney Bryan LeClerc asked the board to appoint Cassie Venson as temporary recording secretary so minutes could be taken; the board later approved a motion, moved by Mr. Dave Knapp, appointing Cassie Venson as recording secretary. The meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.

The meeting record lists vote tallies for each motion as 6 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain. The board did not take other substantive policy votes during this session.