NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan Board of Education Chair Dan Bennett has resigned from his position, both as chair and an elected board member, the board announced Wednesday.
The announcement comes days after Bennett was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol following a one-car crash in New Canaan, according to police.
A written statement signed by Bennett’s eight fellow board members announcing his resignation was released late Wednesday afternoon. A special board meeting scheduled for Wednesday evening has been canceled.
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“This afternoon, the Board of Education accepted a letter from Dan Bennett resigning from his role as chair of the New Canaan Board of Education and from his elected position as a member of the New Canaan Board of Education, effective immediately,” the statement reads. “We would like to thank Dan for his commitment and service to our town, our board and our schools. We wish Dan and his family our very best.”
Board members said they will elect a new chair to fill Bennett’s unexpired term within their next two regularly scheduled meetings.
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Additionally, the vacancy created by Bennett’s resignation will be filled by a vote of the remaining board members within the next 90 days. The newly appointed member will serve until the biennial municipal election in November, where a successor will be elected for the unexpired two-year portion of Bennett’s term, members said.
“We thank you for your trust and support as we continue to work together on behalf of the students, staff and community we proudly serve,” board members said.
According to an arrest log provided by New Canaan police, Bennett was arrested late Thursday night following a single-car crash in the area of White Oak Shade Road.
Police said Bennett, a 46-year-old New Canaan resident, was identified as the driver of the vehicle and showed signs of impairment while speaking with an officer. An odor of alcohol was also detected, police said.
After refusing to perform standardized field sobriety tests, Bennett was arrested on charges of illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs and failure to keep right at a curve/intersection. He was released on a $250 bond and is scheduled to appear in court in May, according to police.
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At the start of a board meeting Monday, Bennett read a brief prepared statement noting he planned to be absent from board meetings and participation in board activities for a few weeks as he dealt with “a personal situation” that required his attention.
“With the help of my wife and family, we will handle this situation with humility and respect,” Bennett said. “I will make no further comment on this matter, which I hope that you understand. I ask for your consideration while this situation is managed and resolved. I remain committed to the work of this board and the district. In my absence, I have confidence that each of the eight other talented and experienced board members will be able to work with our excellent administration to push forward on all the important work that we do as a district. I thank all of you for your continued service and for everyone’s understanding as we move forward.”
During a public comment section of the meeting, three town residents took issue with Bennett’s response and called for him to resign.
“If Mr. Bennett were my neighbor,” one resident said, “I would embrace that strategy and support it with love and concern and passion and take all the time you want to handle your personal affairs, but Mr. Bennett is the chairman of the Board of Education, and everyday that the Board of Education stays silent on his role in light of this controversy represents a body blow to the New Canaan Public Schools…I trust that Dan will resign from the Board of Education and from his chairmanship for the good of our children and for the reputation of our schools and our town. When he does, I suggest we rally around him with compassion and support.”
Another resident noted she was speaking “as a concerned mom of three,” including her youngest child, a New Canaan High School student who planned to get his driver’s permit this year.
“I was genuinely sorry, Dan, to hear about the events that happened on Thursday night, truly, and I’m not here to throw stones,” the resident said. “Having said that, I fully expected there to be some degree of humility and accountability tonight, and I was disappointed. I was kind of dumbfounded at the seemingly cavalier response, especially given the seriousness of the situation. Saying you will step away for a few weeks and then run this meeting tonight as if nothing had happened is unacceptable and falls far short of what parents and New Canaanites in general should expect from this board.”
Bennett’s full comments, as well as the full comments made by each resident at the end of the meeting, can be heard here.
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