REGION 16 — The Region 16 Board of Education has turned to Donna Cullen to lead it over the next two years.
The school board, which oversees schools in Beacon Falls and Prospect, unanimously appointed Cullen as its chair Dec. 11.
“It’s really special that they have the faith in me to take over,” Cullen said.
Cullen, who is principal at Maloney Magnet Elementary School in Waterbury and lives in Prospect, was first appointed to the board as a fill-in to finish out a term in 2008 and was elected to the board in 2009 and re-elected in 2011.
The bylaws for the region dictate the chair’s seat must alternate between a Beacon Falls and Prospect member every two years. Priscilla Cretella, who served the past two years as chair, was appointed as vice chairman of the board. Cretella, a Beacon Falls resident, has served on the board since 1984.
Cullen said she’s gained a lot of knowledge working along side Cretella and feels she’s ready to lead the board.
“I want to take on the challenge,” she said.
Cullen said the board works well together and she wants to continue that synergy over the next two years.
“I think we work really well as a board right now, and I want to continue that teamwork moving forward,” she said.
Beacon Falls board members Wendy Oliveira and Sheryl Feducia were reappointed as secretary and treasurer respectively. Last week’s meeting also marked the first one for new board members Christine Arnold, of Beacon Falls, and Roxann Vaillancourt, of Prospect, who were both elected in November.
