Mark David Benigni (born 1972) is an American education professional and former politician. From 2001 to 2008, Benigni served as

mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilitie ...

of Meriden,

Connecticut Connecticut ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. ...

. Formerly a member of the Meriden City Council, Benigni was elected as an independent candidate in 2001. Benigni is currently Superintendent of Meriden Public Schools, having served in the position since 2010. He previously serving as principal of Cromwell High School from 2008 to 2010.

Early life and education

Benigni was described as a "lifelong eridenresident" by ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' in 2001. He earned a bachelor's degree in business from

Western Connecticut State University Western Connecticut State University (WCSU and WestConn) is a public university in Danbury, Connecticut. It was founded in 1903 as a teacher's college and is part of the Connecticut State University System. WCSU consists of four schools: the A ...

. He received his master's and doctorate degrees in education from the

University of Hartford The University of Hartford (UHart) is a private university in West Hartford, Connecticut, United States. Its main campus extends into neighboring Hartford and Bloomfield. It enrolled approximately 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students as ...

Career

Benigni was an assistant principal in the

Berlin, Connecticut Berlin ( ) is a town in the Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut, Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut, United States. The population was 20,175 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. It was incorporated in 1785. The geographic center of ...

school district before getting elected to the Meriden City Council. In 2001, he was elected to his first term as mayor of Meriden. A former Democrat, he ran as an independent candidate against incumbent Democratic mayor Joseph J. Marinan Jr. His 2001 mayoral candidacy was supported by local Republicans. His victory made Meriden the only municipality in Connecticut at the time to have a mayor without a partisan affiliation. He went on to serve four terms in office. In 2008, Benigni resigned as mayor to became the principal of Cromwell High School. He left his position as principal in 2010 to become Superintendent of Meriden Public Schools. As Superintendent, he has been credited with instituting full-day

kindergarten Kindergarten is a preschool educational approach based on playing, singing, practical activities such as drawing, and social interaction as part of the transition from home to school. Such institutions were originally made in the late 18th cen ...

programs in the district, as well as Saturday enrichment education services. In 2024, he presided over the expansion of

English as a second language English as a second or foreign language refers to the use of English by individuals whose native language is different, commonly among students learning to speak and write English. Variably known as English as a foreign language (EFL), Engli ...

programs in the district to meet demand among new students.

References

Living people 1972 births Mayors of places in Connecticut Politicians from Meriden, Connecticut Western Connecticut State University alumni University of Hartford alumni People from Meriden, Connecticut {{Connecticut-mayor-stub