Praising the mayor and superintendent’s leadership, the newest member of the school board said he doesn’t have any specific school issues targeted for his tenure.
Ferdinand Risco, Jr. (pictured) was sworn in Monday night to the school board, filling the last vacancy on the eight-person board.
City Clerk Ron Smith swore him in at the start of Monday’s school board meeting.
Welcoming him to the board, schools Superintendent Reggie Mayo detailed Risco’s credentials as a public school parent. Risco is the father of three children at Edgewood Magnet School and of a son who recently graduated from Hillhouse High. His son was the quarterback on the Hillhouse football team. He has gone on to the University of New Haven, Mayo said.
After the meeting, Risco shared a little bit about his background. He was born and raised in Philadelphia and later joined the military. He spent five years in active duty but was not sent overseas.
For the past five years, Risco has lived and worked in New Haven. He is a labor relations manager at Metro-North Railroad.
Risco is a Republican. He was chosen in part to balance the board politically: According to city charter, the board can’t have more than four members of the same political party.
Risco was tapped for the Board of Education after he met Mayor John DeStefano. “I was at a school reform meeting,” he said. He started talking to DeStefano, one conversation led to several, and soon he was appointed to the board.
Risco had words of praise for the city school district. “It’s a good system with a good plan,” he said. Specifically, the district benefits from “very solid leadership.”
The longstanding leadership of Mayo and Mayor DeStefano make for a “great deal of continuity,” which is “a strength,” Risco said.
Risco acknowledged that New Haven schools face difficulties. “Education in all urban settings is a continual challenge,” he said.
The new board member declined to offer any specific education improvements he would like to work on. “I don’t have any particular agenda,” he said.
Risco said he could be “a voice for other parents,” but added that he doesn’t see himself as representing all parents. “There are plenty of parents that could have sat in this seat. I’m just one voice.”
In a statement released about Risco’s appointment, DeStefano also emphasized Risco’s bona fides as a school parent.
“Ferdinand Risco is joining the board at a pivotal time in the evolution of New Haven Public Schools. Ferdinand represents the many parents in our schools who are actively involved in their children’s’ education and who embrace the importance of parental participation in school success,” said DeStefano. “Parents are key to our success in our school change campaign. As we challenge every parent to be hands-on leaders in their schools and within the district, I look forward to Ferdinand’s service to the board and New Haven Public School families.”
Risco’s appointment comes on the heels of two other appointments to the board, one of them a longtime critic of the public school leadership: Read about them here.
Again poltricks. This is why we need a elect school board.