Thomaston’s Board of Education elected new officers at its organizational meeting on Wednesday, November 19, selecting Nate Vieira as the board’s next Chair. Vieira, who has served on the board since November 2023, was the only member nominated for the position.

The board also filled its other leadership roles for the new term. Sarah Ethier, who has served on the board since 2019, was chosen as Vice Chair. Tanya Galpin will continue her service as Secretary. Republican member Marissa McGee, who joined the board with this year’s municipal election, was elected Treasurer.

In responses provided to the Chronicle, Vieira said he stepped forward for Chair after hearing a consistent message from residents over the past year about transparency, better communication, and public involvement in the decisions made by the board. He described the past year as “a roller coaster” for Thomaston, noting the budget referendums, the launch of the feasibility study, and changes in local elected offices.

Vieira said his leadership approach will focus on collaboration and responsiveness. He hopes to expand communication through clearer public participation practices, a more streamlined ParentSquare experience for families, and more consistent updates around district work. He says the board “cannot function effectively without community feedback” and emphasized his intent to keep meetings orderly, solutions-oriented, and accessible.

Vieira noted that the district has made progress on aligning board and superintendent goals and in developing external partnerships that offer opportunities to students. At the same time, he highlighted areas where he believes improvement is needed, including staff retention, reversing enrollment decline, enhancing transparency over the district’s budget, and making the board more responsive to public concerns.

The Chronicle asked Vieira about his previous votes against the Superintendent’s contract extension, and what he will consider when evaluating any future extension. He noted that  these votes were driven by what he described as “overwhelming public feedback” on both fiscal and structural concerns. He said he intends to continue weighing public opinion, financial impact, and long-term needs when considering any future extensions, while also noting he has “no doubt” in the capabilities or educational expertise of Superintendent Francine Coss.  

With four new members joining the board this month, Vieira said effective onboarding will be a priority. Members will participate in training sessions in December, and he has made himself available to new members for questions and guidance.

Looking ahead, the Board of Education will soon face major decisions from the ongoing school feasibility study, with recommendations expected by the end of the year. Vieira said his guiding principles will be to listen first, evaluate long-term financial realities, and reflect the will of residents. He noted the high level of public engagement in recent surveys and said community alignment will be essential as the town considers its options.

Vieira said he may now be the youngest Board of Education Chairperson in Connecticut, having been elected by his fellow board members at the age of 24.

Thomaston is also seeing leadership changes across multiple boards this fall. With Rich Sileo’s election as First Selectman, the Board of Finance will select a new chair in the coming weeks, and the Board of Library Trustees will soon fill its long-held chair position following a vacancy. The Board of Education’s officer elections mark the first of several leadership transitions expected across town government this month.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated Mr. Vieira’s age. He is 24, not 26.