Coventry Board of Education Recognized at the State Level

For the eighth year in a row the Coventry Board of Education has received recognition from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE). In 2015 and again in 2016, the Board of Education was awarded the Level I CABE Board Leadership Award. In 2017, 2018, 2019, Spring 2021, and Fall 2021, and now again this fall, the Board of Education was awarded the Level II CABE Board of Distinction Award. Current Board of Education members include Jennifer Beausoleil, Chairperson; Eugene Marchand, Vice-Chairperson; Mary Kortmann, Secretary; Peter DePaola; Emma Eaton; Courtney Rossignol; and Christina Williams. The award application states in part, “CABE believes that Boards of Education and Superintendents which exhibit the most effective leadership are characterized by their ability to work together as ‘teams.’ The CABE Board Recognition Awards are designed to recognize Boards which work effectively in this manner. Boards which fulfill Level One criteria earned the Level One CABE Board Leadership Award. In order to appropriately recognize those Boards which are truly exemplary, CABE has now established a second level of awards, the Board of Distinction Award. Only Boards which have achieved Level One distinction at least twice in the prior four years are eligible to receive the Board of Distinction Award.” As part of the nomination packet, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. David J. Petrone wrote, “During my career, I have been fortunate to work with many quality Boards of Education. Coventry’s current group of Board members, some of whom I have worked with over the past eleven years, have never wavered in their commitment to doing what is best for students. This commitment, and their strong leadership, have resulted in the acquisition of resources which has allowed the district to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century.” Awards were presented by the Commissioner of Education at the annual educational convention hosted by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education/Connecticut Association of Public Page 2 of 2 School Superintendents. This year’s convention, Public Education: Moving Forward for ALL Children was held on November 18 and 19, 2022, at the Mystic Marriot in Groton.

(From left to right: Eugene Marchand, Christina Williams, Emma Eaton, David Petrone, Commissioner of Education Charlene Russell-Tucker, Jennifer Beausoleil, Mary Kortmann)

About CABE/CAPSS: The CABE/CAPSS Convention provides Connecticut Board of Education members and Superintendents the opportunity to acquire knowledge through general sessions and workshops that can help them prepare students to be successful in the 21st century, experience a day focused on student growth, hear from top-level education thought leaders on the latest educational initiatives, celebrate Connecticut's talented students, and network with school leaders from throughout the State. This information was provided by Dr. David J. Petrone. For further information, please contact Dr. Petrone at 860-742-7317 x2.