STRATFORD — Board of Education, Planning Commission and Zoning Commission members in town are limited to one consecutive four-year term, but two school board members are looking to change that.
Republican Chairman Michael Henrick, whose term ends in November, said he wants to eliminate term limits, while Democrat Lisa Carroll-Fabian wants term limits extended to include two consecutive four-year terms.
Losing half the board when members have gained valuable experience with budgets and the complex operations of schools is painful, Henrick said.
“If you ask anybody who’s been a board member, they will tell you that you’re getting your feet wet a little bit about the second-and-a-half term. And by then, you’re already heading out, so you really don’t get that much continuity,” Henrick told CT Examiner.
According to the Town Charter, members of the Planning Commission, Zoning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and the Board of Education are limited to one four-year term. They may serve again but only after a four-year break.
Members can serve one terms, stay off for one four-year term, then be reelected, but Henrick said that gap can leave board members behind on current events.
Henrick, whose party holds a one-seat majority on the seven-member school board, wants to serve another term if the rules change. Carroll-Fabian also supports the idea of allowing board members to serve more terms, but wants to cap it at two.
“After that, I would support a break period — such as sitting out one term — before they could run again,” she said. “I do not support eliminating term limits entirely, but I believe the current structure in Stratford is too restrictive and undermines continuity, accountability, and effective leadership.”
The proposal comes as the board prepares to tackle several major initiatives, including potential improvements to Bunnell High School, implementing a new artificial intelligence policy for staff and students, working with a new — and not yet fully certified — superintendent, and reviewing a long-term capital improvement plan for the district.
“There’s no organizational knowledge or institution knowledge to carry over with the present setup,” Henrick said. “And [our board] probably has the largest learning curve of the council and the zoning commission, but it has actually one of the shortest terms.”
Stratford adopted board term limits following a referendum in 1991, according to documents provided by Town Historian David Wright. Voters at the time were frustrated with a handful of council members who they believed had outlived their usefulness, Wright said.
Town officials have since tried to reverse the decision without success. Attempts failed in 2004, 2009 and 2023.
Henrick, however, remains optimistic. He has broached the issue with town attorneys and plans to have an opinion on the matter within a few weeks.