Davis. File photo.
The Region 5 Amity Board of Education unanimously voted to elect Orange resident Paul Davis (D) to the position of board chair at its Aug. 15 meeting. Davis replaces former Chair John C. Belfonti (R), who stepped down earlier this summer. Belfonti was elected to the board in 2015; he was elected chair in December 2019.
Before Davis was elected, ABOE Vice Chair Patrick Reed presided.
The board followed its established bylaws by filling the vacancy at its next regularly scheduled meeting. According to the bylaw, Davis’s role is effective immediately and will conclude in December 2023, after next year’s elections.
As chair, Davis will work closely with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Byars on issues such as meeting agendas, topical issues, policy priorities and facilitating an open, collaborative working relationship with the superintendent. He will preside at board meetings and serve as the leader and manager of the board.
“Mr. Davis understands the need for a positive, open relationship between a regional school district and our sending towns,” Byars said. “His perspective as both educator and town leader makes him well qualified, a great fit and able to take on the problem-solving necessary to support the operations of a regional school district.”
Davis has an extensive background in education and governmental education policy. He taught in West Haven for 34 years as a middle and high school science teacher, is a five-term former state representative where he worked on the Education Committee for 10 years, and followed that with four years as a member of the Orange Board of Selectmen. He has served as chair of the ABOE Policy Committee and a member of the Facilities Committee.
“It is a privilege and honor to serve in such an important position,” Davis said. “I am hopeful that I can help create an environment where all members of the Amity community can work together to address our challenging education issues.”