Fairfield School Board Has New Member

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Fairfield school board has a new member.

Carol Guernsey, a Democrat, was unanimously appointed Monday by the Board of Selectmen to replace Jennifer Leeper, also a Democrat, who resigned from the school board after she was elected state representative for the 132nd House District in November.

“These are indeed very big shoes to fill and I’m really grateful for your consideration,” Guernsey said to the selectmen.

A school board member who joins the body to fill an unexpired term must be in the same political party as the outgoing board member, and is appointed by the Board of Selectmen to occupy the seat until the next election, according to the town charter. Leeper’s term expires in November 2021.

Selectwoman Nancy Lefkowitz said Guernsey’s experience and insight would benefit the school board, and that other school board members had told Lefkowitz they supported Guernsey’s appointment.

“We’re lucky to have you, so thank you for stepping up,” Lefkowitz said.

Guernsey is the parent of a sixth grader and a high school freshman. She has held various leadership positions with the Fairfield PTA Council and the PTAs at Holland Hill Elementary School, Osborn Hill Elementary School, Fairfield Warde Middle School and Fairfield Ludlowe High School. Guernsey has also been involved with Fairfield Arts for Youth. Professionally, her background is in arts fundraising.

“Congratulations Carol, and I look forward to working with you,” First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said.