In this final week of 2011, Enfield Patch is looking back at the stories that were read most often during the year. Twice a day through Saturday, we are re-publishing the top story of each month, plus including links to the next three most-read news stories, a sports story and a feature piece.

We continue the retrospective with an article from Nov. 9:

Democrats Assume Control of School Board

By Tim Jensen

Democrats regained majority on the Enfield Board of Education in Tuesday's election.

Republicans had held a 5-4 majority, but incumbent Chuck Johnson, newcomer Kevin Fealy and incumbent Tom Sirard finished as the three lowest vote-getters among GOP candidates.

Fealy edged Sirard by one vote for the final spot on the nine-member panel. By law, Sirard may ask for a recount, but his intentions are not known at this time.

In the event  the current tallies stand, Johnson and Fealy will be joined on the board by fellow Republicans Donna Szewczak and Peter Jonaitis, who were both elected to second terms.

Political newcomer Tim Neville, a Democrat who retired as John F. Kennedy Middle School principal in June, led all school board candidates with 2,733 votes.

"I'm happy to be elected, the people have been very gracious to me and supported me tremendously," Neville said. "I'm happy that we have five votes. My goal wasn't me, it was to get five of us elected. I think we have an agenda that people agree with, and I think we want to improve education as best we can. I think having a team that works together, made up of parents and concerned community members - I think we have a shot."

Joining Neville on the Democratic side are incumbents Joyce Hall and Vincent Grady, and newcomers Jennifer Rancourt and Tina LeBlanc.

The balloting results left Enfield in a rare situation; Republicans continue to hold a 7-4 majority on the Town Council, but Democrats have a 5-4 advantage on the school board.

"Local elections means local issues, and I don't think it's about blue and red," Neville said. "It's supposed to be about the kids. The reason I'm involved in this, and the reason I spent 38 years with kids is to make a difference. It's not about Republicans and Democrats - we have an agenda to help kids."

Hall, the board member with the longest tenure, said this is the first time she can recall the two governing bodies being controlled by different parties.

"I think it's going to be a very unusual situation," Hall said. "We're battling having lost ground on the school system, when at one point we were really ahead in a lot of ways. Having been on boards where we didn't know which party any member was in, it has been extremely painful for the last two terms to have that stand out so completely. It would be my firmest hope that we get rid of that factionalism and start working together."

The newly-elected Board of Education will be sworn into office on Nov. 22.

Constables

The seven elected constable positions will be filled by Republicans Cindy Andersen, Dan Post, Vincent Diana and Bob Chagnon. They are joined by Democrats Ted Plamondon, Tony DiPace and Michael Dailey. Former Board of Education vice chairman Al Harrison fell seven votes shy of winning a constable position.

Click here for complete voting results at all poll locations for Town Council, Board of Education and constables.

Other Top Stories in November

News

Gov. Malloy Tours Enfield Emergency Shelter (11-2-11)

Republicans Keep 7-4 Majority On Town Council (11-9-11)

Police Release Photo of Suspect In Webster Bank Robbery (11-25-11)

Sports

Raiders Drop Last-Minute Heartbreaker to Unbeaten Coventry (11-15-11)

Feature

Greatest Person: Father Francis Kerwan (11-4-11)

At noon Saturday, check out the top stories from December.