By Linda Conner Lambeck

WESTPORT — Neil Phillips took his seat Monday as the newest member of the Board of Education, although his official swearing in was scheduled the next day.

The unanimous, bipartisan vote to seat Phillips took place after board members met with him in a half-hour, closed-door session during their meeting at Staples High School.

Phillips won the unanimous endorsement of the Democratic Town Committee last week to fill the open seat caused by the resignation of fellow Democrat Youn Su Chao.

Phillips, in a subsequent vote, was named the presumptive secretary of the board.

“Neil is a highly respected member of the Westport community,” board Chairwoman Lee Goldstein said. “He has extensive experience in public service and on the board.”

Phillips served on the Representative Town Meeting from 2013-18 and was its Education Committee chairman. He then was appointed to fill another open school board seat from 2018-19.

“I am happy to re-join the board at this transitional time and offer whatever experience I can bring to the table, which may be helpful to the current members, most of whom are new,” Phillips said in emailed comments Tuesday.

“My previous time on the board three years ago was a very stressful time for our schools and community. It tested our resilience, patience and resolve. I’m proud of the work we did then and also of the board members who have joined since,” he added.

“I am looking forward to a calmer experience on the board this time around and hope to be a valuable contributor in the work that lies ahead.”

Phillips is a lawyer, has lived in town 25 years, and he and his wife Kim are the parents of two sons who attend Staples High School.

He will fill out the term of Chao, who resigned Dec. 6 to focus on her health, Goldstein stated. That term runs until the next municipal election in November 2023.

Chao has not publicly commented on her unexpected decision to step down from the board.

Goldstein said that after Chao resigned, Phillips was asked to apply given his prior experience on the school board. She called it a period of transition with the board shifting from one composed primarily of veteran members to mostly new members.

Four of the seven members were elected in November. Two others have been on the board for only two years.

Following Chao’s resignation, all Democrats in town were invited to apply for the open seat. Interviews were conducted by the Democratic Town Committee last week.

Two other Democrats applied for the open slot, according to Goldstein. She would not name them, but said they had excellent applications.

“Thanks very much,” Phillips said in taking his seat at the meeting’s front table next to Vice Chairwoman Liz Heyer. “I look forward to working with all of you.”

Since he had yet to be sworn in Monday, Phillips did not vote on any agenda items at the meeting.

Goldstein also announced committee assignments for the newly constituted board.

Goldstein will be chair of the Policy Committee, with Heyer and Kevin Christie as members.

The Teaching and Learning Committee will be headed by Dorie Hordon, with Christina Torres and Phillips as members.

The Finance and Facilities Committee will be chaired by Heyer, with Robert Harrington and Christie as members.