Amanda Pickett Appointed To Enfield Board Of Education

ENFIELD, CT — Amanda Pickett knows she has some huge shoes to fill in her newly-appointed seat on the Enfield Board of Education. At its regular meeting Tuesday night, the town council tabbed Pickett to serve the remaining term of the late Joyce Hall, who was in her eighth term on the school board when she died unexpectedly Aug. 13.

Hall, a Democrat, had been a key member of the board's curriculum committee, was involved with Key Initiatives to Early Education (KITE), and for many years was the board representative to the Capitol Region Education Council.

"I am honored and humbled to try to fill her shoes, and will do my best to make her proud," Pickett said Wednesday morning in an exclusive interview with Patch. "Her passion for early childhood education, her love of reading, her support of educators and administrators is similar to mine. I've been active in KITE and hope to continue carrying that on."

Pickett grew up in South Windsor, and moved to Enfield with her husband Jessie eight years ago. Their daughter is in preschool, and their son is a first-grader at Enfield Street School, where Pickett has become involved with the PTO.

"Last year, my son was in kindergarten, and I became actively involved with the school, mainly because of COVID," she said. "I became increasingly concerned about some decisions being made by the board."

She referred to the failure of the board to pass the 5000 Policy Series, including policies pertaining to bullying, crisis management, student discipline, the treatment of students with disabilities, and a number of anti-discrimination policies to protect vulnerable students, students of color as well as students who are a part of the LGBTQ community.

"Social justice is part of who I am," she said. "My beliefs about all people being included are important. I work in the field of education, and bringing that knowledge and perspective is important."

"I am very excited that Amanda Pickett was appointed to the Board of Ed," board secretary Tina LeBlanc told Patch. "Amanda brings a fresh perspective with her experience as a social worker and her current work with school climate and culture. I am looking forward to working with her. She is a welcome addition to our team."

Board member Scott Ryder said, "Amanda has consistently demonstrated to us her commitment to our schools. Her vocation is centered around education. Amanda supports school climate and culture initiatives – an area EPS can strengthen with her voice. She supports collaboration and partnerships within the community. And, as a parent on the board myself, I welcome the perspective of families who actually know what goes on in our schools."

Pickett said she is prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.

"It's not going to be easy," she said. "I hope to provide honest, true, transparent decision-making that includes students, families, staff and our community partners. I'm a big advocate of collaboration and partnership. Enfield has amazing resources and organizations. If we work together, anything is possible."

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