Greenwich Free Press (https://greenwichfreepress.com/tag/dr-michael-joseph-mercanti-anthony/)
Two heavy agendas included changing 5-house structure at GHS to one based on grades: 9, 10, 11 and 12; moving to a 7-block fixed schedule, consolidating freshmen English/Social Studies and not weighting the grades, school bus parking, and Cardinal Stadium lighting. The much anticipated enrollment report was presented. Also the head of IT gave an update on the cellular improvement project at GHS. Continue Reading →
The board did not vote on cuts to Transportation (bus routes) that would change school Start Time or changing the GHS House structure to eliminate 5 full time employees, citing the fact that 2 BOE members – Cody Kittle and Wendy Vizzo Walsh – were absent. They did vote to reject pay-to-play sports at GHS. Continue Reading →
“The impact of these cuts is not abstract. Reductions of this scale threaten the educational opportunities we offer our students and are going to jeopardize the longstanding reputation of Greenwich Public Schools.” – BOE chair Karen Hirsh
“I don’t think we have fully done our job. What I observe are mostly political theatrics here.” – Cody Kittle Continue Reading →
Three of the four Republicans seated voted to table the vote until a later date. That vote failed. The board then voted on the contract extension. The vote was 5-3 with three of the Republicans voting no. Continue Reading →
The board discussed a pay-to-play scheme for athletes. Cody Kittle said charging a $220 fee per athlete, per sport, based on 2,072 athletes, yielded a savings of $455,600 – or 20% of the GHS Athletics budget. Continue Reading →
“I want to thank everyone on the building committee for all their stellar work for the town. Without these people, we wouldn’t be here today. This team worked tirelessly. They met 119 times at the school at 7:00am over the past 30 months and 10 days. And we didn’t pay them a dime.” – James Waters, Old Greenwich School building committee chair Continue Reading →
On Monday a complaint landed in superior court in Stamford with First Selectman Fred Camillo and the Town of Greenwich listed as plaintiffs and the Board of Education and its four Democratic members – Karen Hirsh, Laura Kostin, Sophie Koven and Kathleen Stowe – listed individually as defendants. Republican Jen Behette is described in the complaint as “purported BOE member (via an unlawful appointment),” and is also named as a defendant. Continue Reading →
Newly elected BOE officers are: Karen Hirsh as Board Chair, Jen Behette as Vice Chair and Laura Kostin as Secretary. Continue Reading →
During public comment GEA president Lil Perrone said she was very disappointed with recent events. “I’m personally tired of hearing about ‘the will of the people.’…At our town hall your actions, words and the decisions you are making are hurting our students and our staff. Staff morale is down. This is part of it. You need to get your house in order and start making decisions that are best. Let our Board of Education do their job. Let our teachers who are educators do their job. People who know nothing about education need to stay in their lane.” Continue Reading →
“I know you have the votes because there’s four of you and three of us, but in a small town, bi-partisan system like us, this is not how it’s supposed to work. This is a level of parliamentarian moves worthy of Mitch McConnell. Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should.” – Dr. Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony Continue Reading →