The Westport Board of Education race — already interesting — just got even more so.
This morning, Robert Harrington joined 7 others. He is a write-in candidate.
The incumbent — elected 4 years ago to the Board — was not endorsed for re-election by the Republican Town Committee in July. Those nods went to incumbent Dorie Hordon, plus Michelle Hopson, Andy Frankel and Kaitlin Zucaro.
The Democratic Town Committee endorsed incumbent Abby Tolan and Lauren Karpf, deputy moderator of the Representative Town Meeting. Last month Karpf left the race, to seek re-election to the RTM. The DTC did not to replace her on the ticket.
Two other Democrats — Stephen Shackelford and Jodi Harris — are running as well. They lack the party’s endorsement, but gathered enough signatures to be on the ballot, on the party’s line.
Board of Ed members serve staggered terms, so only 4 seats will be contested in November. Voters can select 4 candidates.
There are currently 4 Democrats, 2 Republicans and 1 unaffiliated member on the board. Because by law one party can have only a bare majority — 4 seats — on the 7-member BOE, only 2 of the 3 Democrats could be elected. All 4 Republicans, however — or 3, plus Harrington — could get the voters’ nod.
In launching his campaign, Harrington writes:
After four years serving on the Westport Board of Education, I believe our schools deserve leaders who will ask hard questions, not simply go along with decisions. I have worked to be a good board member by showing up, asking questions, and putting students and families first. I would like to ask Westport voters to give me an opportunity to serve another four years.
My pitch is simple: fewer tough questions and less accountability if I’m gone. Easier for the board chair or the superintendent — worse for Westport.
This year I am seeking reelection as an independent. Four years ago, I ran as a Republican alongside my running mate, Dorie Hordon. I never hid my party affiliation or apologized for it — in fact, during that campaign I even printed my own yard signs to make sure “Republican” was included. Voters deserve transparency.
How many signs will carry the word “Republican” during this local election?
A new road sign. (Photo/Robert Harrington)
During the Republican selection process earlier this year, I was asked if I could “tone it down.” I politely declined. My outspokenness on local issues — and towards my local party — may have cost me a party nomination, but I believe it’s exactly what Westport needs on the Board of Education.
I was preparing to step away from the Board. But two events changed my mind:
- Superintendent contract and pay increase. The Board voted to extend the superintendent’s contract early, and give him a 4% raise — larger than what our nurses and custodians received. That was a bad look for both the board and the superintendent.
- The Staples soccer coach hearings. Earlier this month, a second non-renewal hearing was held. I have no problem with a superintendent changing a coach — that can happen for many reasons. I do have a problem when a false narrative is created, and someone’s character is unfairly trashed. The board wasn’t allowed to see all the evidence or hear many witnesses, and I was surprised to learn the superintendent may have lied under oath about offering a coach his job back.
Robert Harrington (left), at the May Board of Education appeal hearing with attorney Beatrice Franklin, and former Staples High soccer coaches Russell Oost-Lievense and Chris O’Dell.
Over the past four years I’ve made accountability real in several ways:
- Pushing back when the Republican slate simply wanted to replace Lee Goldstein as chair and Democrats as the majority, without offering real change.
- Questioning and voting against the superintendent’s pay raise.
- Demanding that investigations carried out by the administration are more thorough and transparent.
- Pushing early and hard on both redistricting and ways to reduce our bus transportation spend — even when there was little to no initial support from the rest of the board.
- Excited to be moving ahead with a new Long Lots Elementary School — but also advocating strongly for a New Coleytown, and prioritizing the need to modernize Kings Highway
That’s the kind of board member I’ve tried to be — independent, transparent, and accountable.
Westport should expect more from its Board of Education. It’s wrong to give the superintendent a rubber stamp or to fail to hold him accountable.
To be clear: Westport schools get many things right, and those successes should be celebrated. But a truly strong district and board should also have the confidence to be critical when necessary.
As an independent I am also happy to advocate for people from both parties.
I won’t pretend I wasn’t disappointed when my party chose to support my former running mate, Dorie Hordon, but not me. Admitting this may look weak, but it would be dishonest to say otherwise. I have enjoyed working with Dorie. We didn’t agree on everything, but I respect her enormously and will enthusiastically vote for her again.
Robert Harrington and Dorie Hordon at last weekend’s LobsterFest. (Photo/Jodi Harris)
I was sad to see Democrat, Lauren Karpf leave the race for the BOE. I would have strongly supported her. I think the fresh Democrat voices of Jodi Harris and Stephen Shackelford will also bring real change to this board.
Also at LobsterFest (from left): Stephen Shackelford, Robert Harrington, Jodi Harris.
This willingness to choose the best candidates and not just pick the party color represents who I am.
If voters give me the chance to serve again, I will continue to ask the questions that need to be asked, and work to make sure Westport’s schools serve every student and every family in our community.
I would be honored if Westport voters would consider writing in Robert Harrington—whether on a mail-in ballot or on Election Day.
Robert, I wish you lots of success. I have applauded the way you have responded to the Staples soccer coaches’ controversy. But, equally impressive is your position on the superintendent’s raise. Good for you!
Robert – you absolutely have my vote. Your actions during the soccer coach debacle showed your strength of character and integrity, something the rest of the BOE (and unfortunately, the VAST majority of our US Congress, Supreme Court, and President) are sorely lacking. Keep up the excellent work and best of luck!
As someone who’s been pretty vocal over the years on contentious Westport issues, I’ve seen and heard Robert many times. I can’t say we’ve always been on the same side but he’s always fully engaged, active and transparent, the last being a very big problem with our elected officials here. He advocates for what he believes is in the best interest of Westport, respectfully, regardless of party or political affiliation or to curry favor. He participates in reasonable discourse and consensus always. Considering his treatment, especially during the soccer coach kangaroo hearings, I figured he’d had enough and decided not to run again, much to my dismay. I see now, thanks to Dan, it’s the typical 2 party control at work. I am very happy to hear Robert is running for re-election as an independent and I will absolutely be voting for him again! I encourage all Westport voters to show your rejection of 2 party control, lack of transparency with our elected officials, refusal to hold our employees accountable (I still haven’t seen a Coaches Handbook, Mr. Superintendent) and the continued escalation of spendthrift policy of our school system, to vote for Robert Harrington for our Board of Education. Send the status quo a message that they must do better and be more responsive to the electorate. Best of luck Robert!
Thanks, Phil. A coaches’ handbook was recently created. Here’s the link:
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:f62d05db-5dcf-44b5-b1f4-127b93de9663
Thanks Dan! Too bad this wasn’t in place when the coaches were hung out to dry based on them not reporting the retreat incident according to the non-existent Coach’s Handbook. Hey but the firing wasn’t arbitrary.
When empathetic and accountable people stand up, everyone benefits—especially the students and staff of WPS. Welcome to the race, Robert. Let’s focus on what’s working and fix what’s broken!
As someone who was one of the centerpieces of the public lynching, it was strange to walk into both Russell’s and my hearing knowing, as I was forewarned by the highest levels of our local government, that the votes were already in place to support the superintendent. We went into our hearings knowing we were going to lose, but feeling that it was something that should be done publicly so that the town could be witness to some of the inner workings of their government (both elected and not). Watching one member of the board of Education recuse himself for absolutely no reason while 2 stayed on despite very good reasons for recusal was disappointing to say the least. In that entire black hole of political corruption, it was comforting that Rob Harrington was actually going to listen to the facts and express his opinion based upon that, not just what his political party told him to. I can only hope that Rob Harrington will get voted back in along with Stephen Shackelford and Jodi Harris so that there is some logic and reason brought back into the operation of the Board.
Robert, glad to have you in the race! I applaud your independence and willingness to speak up, even when you’re doing so all alone. The Board functions better with different voices willing to debate big issues and insist on answers to tough questions.
Well said Robert! You have my vote and should have everyone else’s.
I’m looking forward to a productive, civil campaign and election. I agree with a few of the points here, such as the need for Board members who are independent minded and willing to ask hard questions. I also agree that the raises the majority agreed to were irresponsible. I have lots of opinions on the soccer coach controversy, but I don’t know what happened between the coach and that boy and feel terribly for him and his family. I hope this election is about more than the soccer coach controversy. The Board needs strong leaders and a vision, without letting a host of issues distract the Board and WPS from the core mission of educating and preparing our kids. That is why I am running.
Although I’m running on a slate of four Republicans along with Dorie, Michelle Hopson, and Kaitlin Zacaro, these are and should be nonpartisan issues. I don’t speak for any one political party, and believe when it comes to our schools and our kids, we all have more in common than differences. Academic excellence, athletics and arts, special education, budget and spending – these are Westport issues.
I also try to stay away from the comment sections of these sites – I highly recommend that to the regulars – a break is good for your mental health and ability to remain an optimist about this town. We invite anyone who wants to learn more about our candidacy to reach out to us at any time, look for us in town, and keep your eye posted from some valuable content Dan Woog has in store in the near future.
Robert Harrington was the one member of the BoE who sought to get the BoE to take a position on the destruction of the Community Gardens. The Gardens were destroyed because the First Selectwoman and so many others wanted to use the site for construction staging. The Community Gardens site is not part of the new Long Lots School footprint. The BoE did not take up the matter, asserting that it was outside their purview to have a view. Mr. Harrington took a different position. I thanked him then. Mr. Harrington is an excellent candidate.
Robert is a wonderful person what the Republican Party did him is shameful but is par for course for them they need to look a mirror .
You have my support Robert. But even more importantly you have my respect! The leadership you have displayed in seeking to get to bottom of the ugly abuse of power during the coaching scandal, the community gardens debacle, the tone deaf rewarding of the School superintendent when rewarding him was the absolute last thing the B of Ed should have done, all stand out as bright, shining profile’s of courage! You have served us well! Know that you have earned my vote!
Regardless of political party Robert is one of the few that will speak up for what is right. Thank You Robert!!!
I appreciate an independent voice that speaks truth to power even within their own political party. We need more of this, locally and nationally.