Griffin Narrowly Elected to Lead Middletown's School Board

Middletown's Board of Education members narrowly elected Sue Griffin to lead them in 2014.

Griffin, a substitute school nurse, was appointed to the board in 2011 to fill an open seat and won re-election in 2012. She was elected board president during Thursday's reorganization meeting by a 5-4 vote, defeating the other nominee, James Cody. 

"I hope I can do as good a job as you did," Griffin said, referring to outgoing board president Christopher Aveta who lost his re-election bid in November.

Voting against Griffin for president were Vincent Brand, Michael Donlon, Ernest Donnelly, and Cody. Votes in Griffin's favor—in addition to her own—came from Leonora Caminiti, Bob Banta, Joan Minnuies and Gerald Wexelberg.

Caminiti was elected as the board's vice president, defeating nominee Brand by the same 5-4 margin. The same members who voted for Griffin elected Caminiti. 

Two board members—Donlon and Banta—began their three year terms on the board, while Brand was sworn in for another term during the Thursday meeting. 

Griffin indicated in brief remarks that she is "excited" for the work facing the board in the coming year. 

"I look forward, in the future, to working with every one of you and moving forward," Griffin said. She also asked members to indicate within the next few days the boards on which they'd like to serve. 

Superintendent William George said that the board will have to consider educational programs, teacher evaluations and facilities management in the coming year. 

"I think our work begins immediately," he said.