New Canaan resident Pat O’Connell is seeking the endorsement of the Republican Party for the two-year term on an open Board of Education seat at the July 20 caucus. We put some questions to O’Connell about his candidacy. Our exchange follows. New Canaanite: Tell us about yourself—how long have you lived in New Canaan, what have you been involved with here in town and what led to your decision to seek re-election? Pat O’Connell: I am a product of the New Canaan Public School system having attended South, Saxe and then graduated from New Canaan High school. I am one of six children, all of whom are NCHS graduates. After leaving town for college and to start my career, my wife Robin and I chose to move back to New Canaan in 2002 to raise our family. We were attracted to New Canaan due to the wonderful community and strong public school system. Robin and I have four children—Ryan, Quintin, Courtney, Katherine—all of whom went to South, Saxe, and three have graduated from NCHS so far. I have three sisters who also still live in New Canaan, one of whom is a teacher, and in addition to my daughter at NCHS next year, have six other nieces and nephews who are still part of the New Canaan public school system.
