Rev. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., is elected School Committee Chair

BOSTON – The Boston School Committee held its annual organizational meeting today, electing Rev. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., its new Chairperson, and Marchelle Raynor Vice-Chairperson. They will serve as the Committee’s officers for the calendar year.

Rev. Groover succeeds Dr. Elizabeth Reilinger, who had been elected Chair every year since 1998. Dr. Reilinger announced last month that she would not seek a twelfth term as Chairperson but would complete her term as a member of the School Committee. She is the longest-serving Chairperson in the history of the Boston School Committee.

Rev. Groover is Pastor of the Historic Charles Street AME Church in Roxbury and a Boston Public Schools parent. He also serves as Vice-President and Chair of the Education Committee for the Black Ministerial Alliance and is a Charter Board Member of the Boston Ten Point Coalition. Rev. Groover has served on the School Committee since 2007 and as its Vice-Chair for the past year.

Ms. Raynor of Roxbury is the program director at the Gertrude E. Townsend Head Start Learning Center. A resident of Roxbury, Ms. Raynor has served on the School Committee since 1999. She is a licensed clinical social worker and a former director of the Boston Public Schools High School Parent Information Center.

The Committee also approved a 2009 calendar of public meetings and hearings, including four upcoming hearings on the development of the district budget for the 2009-2010 school year. The Committee typically meets on alternating Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in the Edward Winter Chambers at the Boston Public Schools headquarters, 26 Court Street. For a complete schedule, visit www.bostonpublicschools.org.

The Boston School Committee is a seven-member board that governs and sets policy for the 143 Boston Public Schools. Its members are appointed by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who selects from a list of finalists recommended by a 13-member citizens nominating panel.