The Democratic and Republican Town Committees nominated candidates last night for the Board of Selectmen, and a variety of other boards and commissions. (Click here for that story.)
They’ll all be on the ballot on November 4.
Well — maybe not all.
The 2 Democratic candidates for Board of Education — incumbent member Abby Tolan and Representative Town Meeting deputy moderator Lauren Karpf — may face a primary challenge.
Former RTM member Steve Shackelford and outgoing Staples High School PTA co-president Jodi Harris plan to run against the endorsed slate. They’ll pick up petitions at Town Hall today.
If they receive enough signatures — 5% of registered Democrats (approximately 500 names) — the Democratic primary would be September 9.
Steve Shackelford and Jodi Harris.
Harris and Shackelford are “proud registered Democrats. We think our party has historically served the town well on the Board of Education,” they told “06880.”
“More recently though, the BOE as a whole — including the Democratic majority — has lost its way in its prmary tasks of exercising true oversight over the Westport Public Schools administration, and being responsive to our community and its concerns. We believe we are the best people for that job.”
They add, “In talking through the many issues and conflicts facing the BOE this past year, we realized we see eye to eye on the type of role the Board should play, and the ways in which the BOE as currently constituted has fallen short.
“We believe the best way to make the BOE, and the administration, more accountable to the people of Westport is to run, and win, together.
“That way, we can ensure this push for meaningful and cnstructive oversight, accountbility and transparency is not just a one-person show, but a movement with real inquiry, discussion and momentum.”
The pair noted their complementary skill sets: Harris’ long involvement with Westport public schools at all levels, and Shackelford’s understanding of “good governance, acountability and proper risk management.”
Harris moved to Westport in 2008. Her daughters have gone through the Westport schools. She has volunteered from preschool through Staples, including as a member of the Bedford and Coleytown Middle Schools combined PTA, when those schools were merged.
She has spent her career in children’s book publishing, including most recently as editorial director at HarperCollins. She authored and ghost-wrote over 40 children’s books.
Shackelford has lived in Westport since 2016. His 4 children have gone through, or are still in, the district’s schools.
Inspired to serve in local government during the mold closure of CMS, he served 2 terms on the RTM.
A lawyer at Susman Godfrey, Shackelford was co-lead counsel for Dominion Voting System’s defamation case related to the 2020 presidential election. His team’s work led to Fox News’ historic $787.5 million settlement with Dominion.
He pledged to “make good use of legal advice when needed, without effectively delegating major decisions to outside lawyers.”
“Our kids get only one shot at their education,” the running mates say. They believe the Board of Ed can do more in terms of charting broad strategy, exercising rigorous oversight over the administration, ensuring transparency and accountability, and providing guidance to minimize conflict.
“Recent events also underscore a critical need to safeguard all Westport Public School employees,” they say.
“We believe immediate, decisive acction is necessary to implement clear policies and procedures that protect our students and staff. The current Board’s inaction on these serious, yet solvable, issues is unacceptable.”
(Click here for information on the Democratic Town Committee. Click here for information on the Republican Town Committee. For information on the primary campaign, email harris.shackelford@gmail.com)
In a deep blue town, does this really matter? I think not; same-o, same-o…
The article relates to a primary challenge for the Democrats so yes, this matters, especially In a “blue town.”
But beyond that I would argue that all elections matter. The “smaller” the election, the more each vote matters – our board and commission seats are often won by only a handful of votes.
Westport typically has a higher voter turnout than our neighboring towns and cities, but on off-year elections often under half of the electorate shows at the polls. Let’s make this a banner year for voting in Westport – there are issues large and small at stake.
I don’t know Abbie Tolan or Jodi Harris. But I do know Steve Shackelford and Lauren Karpf. They are both terrific. I worked with both of them on the RTM. Steve always exhibited an uncanny ability to get to the nub of the question quickly, analytically and with integrity, whilst at the same time treating everyone with respect. From all the problems I’ve read about this year on the BOE, he is exactly what we need on the BOE. We are lucky he is willing to dedicate his time to the BOE and more town service.
Agreed. Lauren and Stephen are extremely intelligent and passionate. More importantly, they are doers and stick to what’s best for Westport. 🇺🇸
Stephen is amazing!!! No matter what side you’re on, having a BOE member who is a stand up character is the most important thing!!!