It had never happened in history until 2016, and now it’s happened again.
The Board of Education failed twice to reach a consensus on a new chair. There are 4 Republicans and 4 Democrats on the board and both votes ended in a tie along party lines.
For a nominee to become chair of the board requires 5 out of 8 votes.
And, like 2016 when the Board of Selectmen under Peter Tesei voted 2-1 to make Republican Peter Sherr the BOE chair, the decision was automatically kicked over to the three-person Board of Selectmen.
At Thursdays Selectmen meeting, the outcome was as First Selectman Fred Camillo had promised: the Republican candidate, Karen Kowalski won.
Janet Stone McGuigan, the lone Democrat on the Board of Selectmen, nominated Democrat Karen Hirsh who had served as the acting BOE chair until Thursday.
The contest between the two Karens was certainly controversial, and some argued that unlike the Board of Estimate and Taxation, where the chair position is de facto on the ballot because the party with more votes automatically gets the chair position and a tie breaking vote, the Board of Education chair was not on the ballot.
In a letter to the editor, Jim Finn said he didn’t believe anyone voting in the local elections knew they were voting for the next chairman of the BOE.
And there were criticisms from Democrats about Kowalski’s stances on social issues.
A letter from Jonathan Perloe described Ms Kowalski as “more interested in fighting culture wars than promoting educational excellence in the Greenwich Public Schools.”
Mr. Finn went further, taking Kowalski to task for appearing on cable TV “to deride ‘the radical ideas flooding into schools’ and talked about wokeism, parents rights, book banning and the national MAGA school board agenda…”
Camillo explained his vote by sharing a story about “the will of the voter” from his time as State Rep in the 151st district.
“In 2009 there was the Senate Vacancies Bill. A (Democratic) Senator resigned to take a job in Hollywood as a lobbyist and the then Republican Governor was going to appoint a Republican,” he recalled.
“I thought that was not the right thing to do because even though I was not happy with the electorate having voted for Mr. Dodd, I respected their will. I was the only Republican out of 187, twice, to vote with the majority party, which was the Democrats.”
“I took a ribbing for a couple of weeks but it ended up being my proudest votes because I thought I was right and that I did the right thing, and I stuck with it.”
Camillo said that nominating Ms Kowalski was honoring the will of the voter.
This referred to the fact that Ms Kowalski had more votes in the Nov 7, 2023 election than Ms Hirsh, though she was not the top vote getter.
“Both of these candidates have been terrific. I’ve spoken with them several times,” Camillo said, adding that Ms Hirsh was his close friend and had dedicated 17 years to education.
“And then Karen Kowalski is extremely bright and eager to do this, and I’ve known her for a long time,” he added. “I’m confident she will do the right thing and be the face of the Board of Education, and advocate for the school system and for the children, and not be afraid to ask questions because no one wants to be a rubber stamp.”
Name Calling
Mr. Camillo and Selectwoman Lauren Rabin complained about the tone of numerous emails they received in advance of Thursday’s vote.
“When you call people names you diminish your position, so cut it out. You know who I’m talking to,” Camillo added.
Democrat Janet Stone McGuigan nominated Ms Hirsh.
“There is an argument about listening to the wishes of our electorate,” she said. “I would point out though that for many elected bodies in town, a vote count might reflect who wish to have as chair of that body, but that is not how the BOE works.”
Ms Stone McGuigan noted that neither of the women had been the highest vote getter.
“I am sensitive to respecting the wishes of the community, but consistently our community wants to keep politics out of our schools,” Stone McGuigan added. “I am an ardent supporter of Karen Hirsh to be the next chair of our BOE.”
“For me, my vote is about the best interests of our Board of Education and our schools,” she added.
Ms Rabin, a former school board member herself, said it had been a tougher job than being on the Bord of Selectmen.
“It’s highly emotional. It’s hard work,” she noted.
“I feel really insulted some of the emails I’m getting, that have accused me of being a rubber stamp to my colleague Fred Camillo,” Rabin said.
She lamented the personal attacks on Ms Kowalski.
“I was very disappointed about the character attack on Karen Kowalski. That was really uncalled for,” Rabin. “I think Karen Kowalski will represent the BOE. I think she can separate her personal thoughts and opinions.”
Rabin noted that Ms Kowalski had not voted in favor of the school budget.
“But the first thing she would have to do is advocate for it. I’ve talked to her several times, that was my concern. I feel she has addressed that concern,” Rabin added.
Camillo nominated Ms Kowalski. Ms Rabin seconded that.
Ms Stone McGuigan nominated Ms Hirsh.
“Fred Camillo is for Karen Kowalski. Lauren Rabin is Karen Kowalski, so by a two to one vote Karen Kowalski will be the next chair,” Camillo said.