Did You Know...

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While Robert Galati recently ended the shortest school board term in town history, those with the longest tenures comprise a list of some of the town's

best-known civic leaders?

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Galati was named in August to succeed the ailing Zaya A. Oshana, bringing to an end his 34-year career on the board. When Galati didn't win election in his own right in November, his nine weeks became the shortest in board history. Meanwhile, Oshana stepped down as the third-longest serving member in board history. The only two with longer service are Urbin T. Kelley at 43 years (he died mid-term in March 1983) and Walter A. Derynoski (who retired after 39 years on the board in 1991.) Both had Southington elementary schools named posthumously in their honor. The school board has presented Oshana with a plaque in recongition of his service but from what we have learned, there is no additional honor in his future.

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Behind Oshana with the longest years of service on the school board are Grace L. Merrell, who sat on the board for 28 years (1922-1950); Francis Ferrucci, a member of the board for 19 years (1952-1971); current board member David J. Derynoski, who has been on the board for 18 years (if he serves out this full two-year term, he will become the fifth-longest serving board member...but he's got a ways to go to catch up with his uncle Walter); former board chairman and revered educator Leonard W. Joll, a member for 18 years (1948-1966); and Mildred Brophy, who rounds out the top eight with 17 years on the board (1970-1987.)