Listro Proposed for Board of Education Vacancy

Democratic Council leaders are proposing Joseph Listro of New Britain ROOTS to fill a vacancy on the New Britain Board of Education.

Democratic Board of Education member Diane Leja recently resigned form of the Board, leaving a vacancy that must be filled by a Democrat.

The City Charter provides that vacancies on the Board of Education between elections are to be filled by the City Council. Leja was elected to a four year term on the Board in 2019, so the person selected by the Council would serve for the remainder of her term, which expires in 2023.

The Democratic Council leader, Ald. Manny Sanchez (D-AL) and the Democrats’ Assistant Leaders Ald. Francisco Santiago (D-5) and Ald. Chris Anderson (D-AL) proposed a resolution proposing Listo, of 33 Brooklawn Street to succeed Leja.

A biography of Listo distributed with the resolution to appoint him says,

A New Britain native, Joey was educated in New Britain and Newington public schools before attending the University of Southern Maine to study Environmental Sciences. His interest in sustainable agriculture has led him to work at a variety of community farms in Maine and Connecticut. He returned to his “roots” in New Britain in 2013, establishing educational programs and partnerships for Urban Oaks Organic Farm. A year later, he launched a non-profit known as New Britain ROOTS, which provides access to healthy, locally grown food throughout the city.

The biography says that Listro, “is guided by the conviction that food can heal a community. He believes in focusing on whole child wellness as a key approach to promoting educational achievement.”

The appointment is on the agenda of the October 14, 2020 City Council meeting.