Jay Sarzen To Become Newest Member of West Hartford Board of Education

The West Hartford Board of Education will have another new Republican member next week when it approves the appointment of Jay Sarzen at the Dec. 4 meeting.

Sarzen, a former Republican candidate for Town Council in 2011, will replace Lib Brassil Spinella who tendered a letter of resignation to the superintendent of schools and board chairman on Monday citing increased work obligations. The Republican Town Committee nominated Sarzen on Monday night.

According to a release provided by the Republican Town Committee, Sarzen and his wife have lived in West Hartford for more than six years, and they have one young son who is a student in West Hartford Public Schools.

Sarzen has a bachelors degree from Trinity College and a masters of business administration from the University of Notre Dame. He works for MassMutual Financial Group, "focusing on strategy and efficiency," according to the release.

“I am very grateful to be nominated to replace Libby on the Board of Education and look forward to serving the residents of West Hartford. Like Libby before me, I will put the interests and concerns of students and parents above all else and will fight to maintain our neighborhood school system,” Sarzen said in the release.

Republican Town Committee Chairman Peter Martin thanked Spinella in the release for her years of service and dedication as a member of the West Hartford Board of Education. He said she would be missed, "But, I know that Jay Sarzen will pick up right where Libby left off and will make sure our kids are getting a top notch education in their neighborhood schools and that parent and student concerns are addressed timely and appropriately."

Town Council Minority Leader Denise Hall said she is "excited to have Jay join our team of elected officials and thrilled that someone with Jay’s business credentials is willing to dedicate his time volunteering in this important role.”

"Lib has been an extraordinarily valuable member of the Board of Education for seven years.  We valued her perspective, and are particularly grateful for her support of the children in the Charter Oak neighborhood. We are sorry that she is moving on, but welcome and look forward to working with our two new Republican colleagues," said Board of Education Chair Bruce Putterman via email.

At its Nov. 20 meeting, the Board of Education approved the appointment of Mark Zydanowicz as a replacement for Republican Ellen Brassil, Lib Brassil Spinella's sister, who resigned in October for personal reasons.