Five Shelton BOE Incumbents Not Nominated Again

SHELTON, CT — Three Republican and two Democratic incumbent Board of Education members weren't nominated for a spot on the ballot by their parties for another term.

Republicans Mark Holden, Anne Gaydos and Tom Minotti said they will petition for a primary, according to the Shelton Herald.

Democrat Kate Katush didn't get enough votes and Jose Goncalves will instead run for Board of Aldermen.

In a Facebook post Holden blamed Mayor Mark Lauretti and said that he threatened to not run as a Republican if the three were re-nominated

"According to the state department of education, we are just shy of the top 25% for student achievement, and our cost per student is in the lowest 10% in the state," he said. "What motivation could they possibly have for using strong-arm tactics to change the BoE? My best guess is it's because all of us were active in promoting the start of Full-Day Kindergarten, and we've favored reasonable increases in the BoE budget so our students have the proper equipment, textbooks, and access to the technology required for a sound education."

Lauretti told the Herald that he would have considered running as an independent if the RTC didn't respect his opinion and voted for the status quo.

Read the full Herald report here.