Board of Education

Board of Education
501 Kings Highway East
Fairfield, CT 06825
203-255-8371
 
Function

The Board of Education is an agent of the State of Connecticut responsible for ensuring that all State laws relative to education are followed.

Meetings

The Board of Education generally meets twice a month, the second and fourth Tuesdays, at 7:30 pm in the 2nd floor Board Conference Room at 501 Kings Highway E with other meetings scheduled as needed. See the Board of Education meeting calendar for specific dates. All schedules and locations are subject to change. Please check the Town Meetings Calendar for cancellations or location changes.

About the Board of Education

Term Length:
# of Members:
Appointing Body:
Party Balance Required?:
Defined In:
Four Years (no limit)
Nine
Elected
No More than Six of the Same Political Party
Town Charter - Article VIII

Many Board of Education meetings are packed--standing room only and often extending into late-night hours. The education of Fairfield’s children is one of the most important issues in town. The Board of Education helps plan the education of our children and its decisions affect the lives of the students and families, the livelihoods of the educators the district employs and adds to the economic well being of the town.

The Board of Education provides direction to administration and staff and are the foundation for accountability. The Board of Education selects, retains, and evaluates the superintendent of schools, one of the key officials in town.

Another key function of the Board of Education is developing, approving, and monitoring implementation of the budget. The budget provides resources for the educational priorities of the school district.

Building public support and understanding of public education is also an important function of the Board of Education.  This means effectively communicating the school district’s mission to the public and listening to what the public wants and trying to incorporate citizen views into board discussions. Public comment at the Board of Education meetings can often be lengthy. 

Board of Education members also serve on hearing panels on issues of termination, expulsion, and other grievances. 

The Board of Education has and maintains its own website.

Board of Education Member Listing
# Name (Party) Title Contact Information Term
1 Jeffrey D. Peterson (R)   jpeterson@fairfieldschools.org 11/2021 - 11/2025
2 Jennifer L. Jacobsen (D) 2024 Chair  jjacobsen@fairfieldschools.org 11/2021 - 11/2025
3 Carol Guernsey (D) 2024 Secretary  cguernsey@fairfieldschools.org   11/2021 - 11/2025
4 Nicholas A. Aysseh (R) 2024 Vice-Chair naysseh@fairfieldschools.org 11/2021 - 11/2025
5 David Krasnoff (D)     11/2023 - 11/2027
6 Jennifer Maxon Kennelly(D)     11/2023 - 11/2027
7 Kathryn Flynn (D)     11/2023 - 11/2027
8 Jason Li (R)     11/2023 - 11/2027
9 Tracey M. Rinaldi (R)     11/2023 - 11/2027

Please visit the Board of Education Member web page for photographs and additional information regarding their service.