Region 16 board elects Cretella chairman

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Priscilla Y. Cretella

PROSPECT — The Region 16 Board of Education last week unanimously elected longtime member Priscilla Cretella chairman for the next two years.

The board, which oversees public schools in Beacon Falls and Prospect, rotates the chairman’s seat between members from each town after every municipal election. Cretella, who was vice chairman the past two years, takes over the chairmanship from Robert Hiscox, a Republican from Prospect.

Cretella thanked Hiscox, who the board elected vice chairman, for his leadership.

“We don’t always see eye to eye but we always want what’s best for the kids,” she said.

Cretella, an interior decorator, is a 68-year-old unaffiliated voter from Beacon Falls who ran on the Democratic ticket. She has served on the school board for 33 years, including multiple terms as chairman.

“Even after all these years, it means a great deal,” Cretella said about being elected chairman. “As long as I can still help bring about the best we can for our kids, that’s my goal. That is my goal to give back to this community through education.”

The board elected Christine Arnold, a Republican from Beacon Falls, and Nazih Noujaim, a Republican from Prospect, secretary and treasurer, respectively.