The Board of Education met Thursday and the election for chair was top of the agenda.
As he did at the end of November, Republican, Dr. Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony nominated Republican Karen Kowalski.
Democrat Kathleen Stowe nominated Democrat Karen Hirsh.
Since the previous chair, Republican Joe Kelly did not run for re-election, the secretary Karen Hirsh automatically became acting chair, doing so while serving simultaneously as secretary.
At the Nov 30 meeting, the same women were nominated, but after a tie vote along party lines, Ms Hirsh continues to be acting chair.
For a nominee to become chair of the board requires 5 out of 8 votes.
There is a statute that kicks the decision over to the Board of Selectmen if the BOE fails to elect a chair with 5 votes out of 8.
So on Thursday, Mr. Mercanti-Anthony again nominated Ms Kowalski but he declined to share any remarks.
In her previous term, Ms Kowalski served as vice chair for a term and is currently the policy committee chair.
While on Nov 30, Laura Kostin had nominated Ms Hirsh, on Thursday Ms Stowe who served as BOE chair prior to Mr. Kelly, nominated Ms Hirsh.
“What I came to appreciate as chair is you need to set the tone and be collaborative,” said Stowe. “As we all know, the chair does not have more power than any other member, but you do set the tone and tenor. You need to be available and respond to our constituents, our superintendent and meet with other town bodies.”
“Most importantly, you need to be able to find compromise,” she continued. “And even if you’re on the minority in the vote you need to willingly advocate for the board vote.”
Ms Stowe said that in the past Ms Hirsh had dissenting votes, but had been willing to compromise, often voting with the majority.
“She would never speak out against the board in any way,” she added, noting that Ms Hirsh had previously led the PTA Council where a leader must listen and consolidate various opinions and then serve with one voice.
“People like her,” Stowe continued, adding. “She has shown she can respond diligently and thoughtfully to many emails, meet with the students, engage and plan an agenda with Dr. Jones, meet with the legislators and engage with the RTM, and most, manage an efficient meeting.”
From there a vote was held with Democrats voting for Ms Hirsh and Republicans voting for Ms Kowalski for another 4-4 tie.
From there, Laura Kostin nominated Republican Cody Kittle for chair. Ms Stowe seconded the nomination.
“I politely pass,” Kittle said.
“I haven’t even gotten to say my nice things about you,” Kostin said.
“That’s okay,” Kittle said.
From there the board declined to re-vote despite Ms Kostin making the suggestion.
On Friday morning, Ms Stowe gave a meeting de-brief on WGCH 1490 am where she elaborated on her support of Ms Hirsh.
Stowe said that last year, after the board was deadlocked, they voted unanimously for Republican Joe Kelly, thereby avoiding sending the decision to the Board of Selectmen.
“Last year was quite different because those two candidates were pretty similar, and both good,” she said. “I think we have a distinction here. Karen Hirsh has been a cheerleader and advocate for our schools for a long time, but our board is still deadlocked on that.”
“This now does go to the Board of Selectmen where it will virtually be the choice of Fred (Camillo),” Stowe said.
Later in the morning, on his Ask the First radio show, also on WGCH 1490am, host Tony Savino asked Mr. Camillo who his Selectmen would pick.
The three person board is controlled by Republicans.
“We’ll have to select among the three of us. We’ve done that before and we will do that again,” Camillo said. “Many people have spoken to me, but my mind has been on other things lately. There are good candidates there, and both are good friends.”
Camillo noted the Dec 28 Selectmen meeting had been cancelled, but if necessary they would restore it to the calendar in order to vote on BOE chair.