Kathy Fetchick Resigns Abruptly, Expected to Join Council

Board of Education vice chairman Kathy Fetchick has abruptly resigned from her post, leaving no word as to why, officials said during a meeting Tuesday night at the Municipal Center.

Fetchick is expected to be sworn in as a member of the Legislative Council Wednesday night, according to a member of the town clerk's office. The town clerk's office has the duty of swearing in new council members.

The council is to meet 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at the Municipal Center, and is to fill the vacancy left by Republican Chris LaRocque. LaRocque unexpectedly resigned from his council seat a couple of weeks ago at the same time he dropped out of the state representative race for the 106th District amidst allegations he submitted straw contributions in his bid to seek public election funds.

Following the council's regular meeting, a subset of the council who sit on the education committee also is expected to meet and vote on a new chairman as well. LaRocque was briefly the committee's chairman, taking over for council vice-chairman Mary Ann Jacob, who resigned from that role after the town attorney ruled she may have a conflict of interest due to her part-time job at Sandy Hook School library.

Fetchick, who could not be reached for comment, is regarded by many as an outspoken member of the Board of Education, sometimes critical of school district decisions, particularly when it relates to the budget.

Council Republicans need to vote Fetchick onto the council in order for her appointment to be official. Democrats and members of the Independent Party of Newtown do not have a vote.

Council chairman Jeff Capeci also could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile the education board is looking to fill the vacancy left by Fetchick. Education board chairman Bill Hart said he had nothing from Fetchick about why she resigned except that she had.

"I received an email at about 5 oclock this evening from Kathy Fetchick saying that she has resigned the Board of Education effective immediately," board chairman Bill Hart said on Tuesday when the education board met. "I don't have any other correspondence in regard to that."

Editor's note: This article has been updated from an earlier version to include Kathy Fetchick's expected appointment to the council Wednesday night.