Democrat Named New Southington Board of Education Chairman

SOUTHINGTON, CT — With the Democrats on the Southington Board of Education earning a 5-4 majority after the municipal elections earlier this month, it now has a new leader.

The school board at its first post-election meeting on Nov. 13 unanimously voted along bipartisan lines to select Democrat Zaya Oshana as the new board chairman.

As chairman, Oshana will run meetings and lead the board throughout his term.

Oshana replaces Republican Colleen Clark, who was also re-elected to the board on Nov. 4 and is now no longer a school board officer.

Joining Oshana on the school board's leadership is fellow Democrat Terri Carmody, who was elected vice chairperson by a narrow 5-4 margin along party lines.

In an unusual twist, Democrat Bob Brown was nominated by the Republicans on the board, and the GOP accounted for BRown's four votes.

But Brown, himself, voted for Carmody, paving the way for her 5-4 election.

For the secretary, a similar situation played itself out, with Republicans nominating one Democrat and another Democrat winning the outcome.

As a result, Democrat Dawn Derynoski-Anastasio won the secretary post 5-4 over the GOP-endorsed Democrat, Lisa Cammuso, who voted for Derynoski-Anastasio.

Oshana said he was "honored and humbled" by his election as the chairman of the town's school board, as he was welcomed to the role with bipartisan applause.

"I want to thank the community for placing your trust in me and in all of us," Oshana said. "Your support means the world to me and all of us, and I'm committed to serving our schools, our camilies and our community with integrity, dedication and transparency."

Oshana also thanked his colleagues on the board, and he thanked his family for "their patience."

"I'm excited to work alongside each of you," he said. "We're here for one reason, we're here for the students, we're here to provide the best educational opportunities for those students."

For the minutes of the Nov. 13 Southington Board of Education meeting, click on this link.