Mini Santosh, a longtime early childhood educator and community leader, was sworn in on January 14 as the newest member of the Danbury Board of Education (BOE), filling a recent vacancy on the board.

Santosh serves as childcare director at the Action Early Learning Center, operated by the Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut, where she has spent decades supporting children and families through early education. Her appointment brings more than 30 years of experience in early childhood education and community advocacy to the board.

“I’m thrilled that the Danbury Board of Education elected Mini Santosh to fill a vacancy on the BOE,” said State Senator Julie Kushner in a post on her official Facebook page. “Mini has decades of experience in early childhood education. She does a phenomenal job as the director of the Action Early Learning Center. She will be an important addition to the BOE.”

Santosh is a registered Democrat and currently serves as a commissioner with the Danbury Housing Authority. She and her husband have two sons, including a Danbury High School student, giving her both professional and personal insight into the city’s public education system.

In a candidate profile published by Danbury Patch, Santosh said her decision to seek a seat on the Board of Education stems from her commitment to ensuring all students—regardless of socioeconomic background—have access to a high-quality education.

She has emphasized the need to close achievement gaps, address systemic inequities tied to race, income and disability, and promote inclusive curricula that better support marginalized students. Santosh has also stated that education should remain free from partisan politics, describing the board as a place for collaboration rather than political division.

“Education is an area where partisan politics should not interfere with decision-making,” Santosh said in the Patch profile, adding that her focus is on serving students, families, and the broader community.

Fiscal responsibility is another priority she has highlighted. Santosh has said she intends to advocate for transparency in school budgeting, fair allocation of resources, and responsible use of taxpayer funds, particularly in schools with the greatest needs. She also supports better teacher compensation, professional development, and improved working conditions.

Throughout her career, Santosh has served on advisory boards for multiple local agencies that work with families and children. She often points to educator Rita Pierson’s words—“Every child deserves a champion”—as guidance for her work as an advocate for students.

As a Danbury resident and parent in the district for more than 25 years, Santosh has said she believes strong relationships between schools and the community are essential to student success. Her appointment adds a seasoned educator’s perspective to the board at a time when equity, accountability, and community engagement remain central issues in local education.