Last Friday, school board chairman Dr. Michael Joseph Mercanti Anthony shared with his colleagues and superintendent Dr. Toni Jones his plans to resign effective August 26. Shortly afterward, his Republican colleague Wendy Vizzo Walsh followed suit.
The news was surprising. Mercanti Anthony had only been chairman of the school board for nine months.
All week public school families were speculating about what Republicans might submit their names for consideration to replace them.
GFP broke the news last Friday of the resignations, and an email went out to all families with instructions to email Michael Antonaccio, [email protected] by Tuesday, August 25 to be considered for one of the school board slots.
Last Saturday. Dr. Mercanti-Anthony followed up with a statement on his resignation plans, stating that family commitments this year made his resignation necessary.
This Friday, Dr. Mercanti-Anthony sent a brief email to his fellow board members saying his circumstances changed and he needed to change his resignation to be effective immediately.
Then Ms Vizzo Walsh followed suit with an email saying, “I also need to change my resignation to be effective immediately.”
Per the BOE policies and regulations, 9000 series bylaws of the board, code 9222, “If for reasons of health, change in domicile, or any other compelling reason a member does decide to terminate service, the Board requests notification at least a month in advance or as early as possible notification of intent to resign so that the Board may plan appropriately.”
On Thursday, the Democratic party email acknowledged the resignations, saying they came as First Selectman Fred Camillo’s lawsuit against the whole BOE nears the two-year mark.
“The court case has placed volunteer board members under enormous stress, distracted the board from their duties, raised fears about potential personal legal exposure, driven down morale, and already cost Greenwich taxpayers more than $500,000 in legal fees, with trial not scheduled to start until spring of 2027 at the earliest,” Democrats wrote.
Just before 8:00pm Friday night, following the change resignations to be effective immediately, the Greenwich Republicans sent an e-blast confirming the resignations and saying those interested in filling the two Republican vacancies should reach out to the party.
“Both seats were held by registered Republicans. Under the Town Charter, their replacements must also be registered Republicans. The Greenwich Republican Town Committee is therefore accepting expressions of interest from qualified Republicans who wish to be considered for appointment to the Board of Education.”
Greenwich Town Clerk Jackie Budkins swears in newly elected BOE members, left to right, Bob Chaney, Dr. Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony (incumbent), Paul Cappiali, Veronica Chiavaroli and Karen Krause. Nov 20, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
See also:
Mercanti-Anthony: Family commitments make my resignation necessary
Aug 1, 2026
Another Republican Board of Education Chair Resigns
July 31, 2026