The Hamilton Board of Education, after cancelling its meeting last week, elected its new officers, and after some wrangling appointed its required officers Monday night.

Board members talked about sweeping changes to their practices, officers and contractors and made plans to change some of them, although they did not take any formal action at this meeting.

The board selected Jeff Hewitson as its new president after a year on the board marked by scandal, stagnating test scores, problems with its administration and aging facilities. Throughout, the residents of the community have called for more communication, more transparency and occasionally, new board members.

“I think the Board should be very open. We haven’t been as transparent as we can be,” he said.

New vice president Joe Malagrino said he wanted to shake up the board’s designated officers, which include Affirmative Action Officer, Attendance Officer and Homeless Liaison, among others.

“We’re not scraping anything off the wall we’re just adding more paint,” he said.

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