Riley Appointed to South Windsor School Board

The South Windsor Town Council on Tuesday unanimously appointed Republican Matthew Riley to the Board of Education.

Riley, 48, works for Webster Bank as commercial banker and will complete the unexpired term of Richard Mabey, who announced his resignation from the school board last month - effective March 1 - to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests.

“I’m honored to be appointed to the Board of Education and look forward to bringing my energy and passion to the board. I’m following in the footsteps of someone who did that previously.”

It’s the first public office that Riley has held, though he has been a fixture at town meetings for quite some time.

Among the biggest issues that the school board faces, according to Riley, is how to address the town’s aging school buildings.

“Our school system is probably our most important asset for the South Windsor community,” Riley said in an interview Tuesday. “I think one of the most significant challenges going forward is that facilities side. How do we ensure that we continue to provide the environment that fosters that kind of holistic and well-rounded education that is rigorous to all of our students. Facilities is part of that equation.

“There’s clearly work to be done. The solutions are to be determined.”

The importance of education runs in the family. Riley, who grew up in Norwalk, is the son of two teachers. His parents met while teaching at the same school, Riley said.

He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, where he earned a B.S. in finance and he was awarded an M.B.A. from the University of Bridgeport.

He and his wife Emily have a son who graduated from South Windsor High School and a daughter who is currently a sophomore at the school.

“We’ve lived here for 19 years, for all of their lives, they’ve been South Windsor residents,” Riley said.

Town Councilor Jan Snyder thanked Mabey for his service and congratulated Riley on his appointment.