Mahoney resigns from school board   

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Naugatuck Superintendent of Schools Sharon Locke, left, gives former Board of Education member Jill Mahoney a hug after presenting her with flowers July 14. Mahoney officially tendered her resignation and stepped down from the board that evening. –LUKE MARSHALL
Naugatuck Superintendent of Schools Sharon Locke, left, gives former Board of Education member Jill Mahoney a hug after presenting her with flowers July 14. Mahoney officially tendered her resignation and stepped down from the board that evening. –LUKE MARSHALL

NAUGATUCK — After just over a year on the Board of Education, Jill Mahoney has stepped down.

Mahoney announced her resignation during the board’s July 14 meeting.

Mahoney, a Democrat, said she decided to resign because she was recently hired as the school readiness liaison between Naugatuck’s preschool program and the state.

“Although I will not be employed by the school district and serve this capacity as an independent consultant, I feel there may be a perceived conflict of interest,” Mahoney said. “Because of this situation I feel that it is in the best interest of both the Naugatuck Board of Education and myself if I step down from the board.”

The state-created position of school readiness liaison is overseen by the Naugatuck School Readiness Council.

Mayoral Aide Ed Carter, who serves as chairman of the council, said Mahoney will work with the state and the borough’s preschools. Her duties will include distributing the school readiness grants the borough receives from the state and federal governments.

“Jill is our eyes and ears at those organizations,” Carter said.

Mahoney was appointed to the board in April 2015 to fill a vacancy following the death of former board member Jim Jordan. She was re-elected to the board in November.

“We certainly will miss your input and your contribution here on the board, but do realize the direction you are taking is one that will benefit the district a great deal,” Board of Education Chairman Dorothy Neth-Kunin told Mahoney. “We will most likely see you in a different capacity outside the board and we look forward to working with you. We wish you the best of luck in your new position and all you do for the district. Thank you for the time you’ve served here on the board.”

Superintendent of Schools Sharon Locke echoed those sentiments.

“It’s been great working with you for the short amount of time you have been on the board. I will miss you. I know that we will continue to work closely together,” Locke said.

Mahoney thanked the board for working with her and understanding her decision to resign.

“I have greatly enjoyed the cooperative experience of serving on the school board during my term and am thankful for your help and kindness along the way. I am honored to have worked in the capacity of improving the schools that serve our most precious children and am grateful for your understanding,” Mahoney said.

According to Assistant Superintendent Christopher Montini the board will put forth and vote on a candidate to fill the vacant seat.

Since Mahoney is a Democrat her replacement will have to be a registered Democrat. Neth-Kunin expects to have the vacancy filled by the board’s next regular meeting on Aug. 11.

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