Smooth Sailing for Two New Republican Members of the Greenwich School Board

The Greenwich school board met briefly on Monday night in a hybrid format with a single action item on the agenda, which was to vote on two new Republican Board of Education members, pursuant to board policy 9221, Filling Board Vacancies.

The vacancies were created after then chair Dr. Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony and Wendy Vizzo Walsh both gave notice on July 31 of their intention to resign, effective Aug 26. A week later, they both updated their plans to make their resignations effective immediately.

The board met on Aug 17 to come up with a timeline to fill the vacancies in a timely fashion. The elephant in the room was the calendar ticking away 30 days, after which, the authority to appoint the replacements shifts automatically to the Board of Selectmen.

And of course, the vacancies came just as First Selectman Fred Camillo’s lawsuit against the school board nears its two-year mark.

BOE secretary Karen Krause thanked everyone who applied.

“We had a large number of community members who stepped up and stood ready to serve on this board, sharing their time and their skills for the benefit of our schools and our tax payers who fund them. And we’re very appreciative of everyone who threw their hat in the ring,” Krause said.

top left the four school board democrats in the board room at the Havemeyer building, Sophie Koven, Veronica Chiavaroli, Bob Chaney and Karen Hirsh; top right Karen Krause, below, Paul Cappiali. Screenshot from Zoom meeting. Aug 31, 2026

Krause then made a motion to appoint Jeffrey Csoka to one of the open Republican seats.

The motion was seconded by Veronica Chiavaroli.

Ms Krause said Mr. Csoka was a lifelong Republican with experience overseeing large capital projects.

“He has a strong track record of leadership throughout his distinguished 25 year military career where he retired at the rank of colonel, and in his subsequent civilian career where he now serves as director of construction and facilities sourcing at a major university.”

“He and his wife have two children who attend Greenwich Public Schools, Krause said. “He has a strong commitment to contribute to the town, and he has a hybrid work schedule which affords him the ability to do so. I heartily recommend this candidate.”

The vote was unanimous in favor 6-0, with Paul Cappiali, Bob Chaney, Veronica Chiavaroli, Karen Hirsh, Sophie Koven and Karen Krause voting.

Next, Paul Cappiali nominated Jonathan Katz to fill the remaining Republican seat on the board.

Karen Hirsh seconded the motion.

Mr. Cappiali said Mr. Katz has children in the GPS system and is a practicing attorney who brings that expertise to the board.

“He was a strategic pick,” Cappiali said. “We’re excited to have him. He got his Juris Doctor at Seton Hall University and a BA in Media Studies with a minor in Philosophy at University Buffalo. He’s a very well rounded gentleman, very pragmatic, very thoughtful, and I think we can all say we’re looking forward to having him on the board.”

The vote on Mr. Katz was also unanimous in favor, 6-0.

Ms Koven said, “We were so thrilled in how many people expressed interest in serving on the Greenwich Board of Education. Greenwich Public Schools rely on volunteers in all different capacities and all different roles.”

She urged everyone who expressed interest to continue volunteering for Greenwich Schools.

Ms Koven commended all her colleagues on the BOE for taking getting the interviews and selection done so quickly, especially given the effort interrupted vacations. She also suggested the candidates who were not appointed to consider running in the future and remain engaged civically in the town of Greenwich.

Mr. Cappiali thanked Ms Koven for leading the effort, along with Ms Krause.

“It was very smooth and I think we ended up with excellent members,” Cappiali said. “I think it’s attributed to the entire team – all eight of us. I want to thank you specifically,” he said to Ms Koven. “And Karen (Krause), as well as the rest of the team – me included.”

What’s next? The BOE has a retreat this Thursday, Sept 3 in the Havemeyer building at 7:00pm where the new members will be sworn in.

The first meeting with public comment is the board’s September 24, 2026 Business Meeting, which is expected to be held at Cos Cob School.

Officers

Per the BOE bylaaws, Board of Education Officers, officer elections are held at the board’s organizational meeting in November in non-election years. So Ms Koven will continue as acting chair until then. Ms Krause will continue as Secretary.

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Smooth Sailing for Two New Republican Members of the Greenwich School Board

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