Tag Archives: Camilo Riano

The Morning After: Election Reflections

Posted on November 8, 2023 | 31 comments

It was a resounding, historic victory.

Jill Dillon not only beat a pair of doom-and-gloom Board of Education candidates, with an upbeat, positive message — she did it without her name even appearing on the ballot.

Supporters had to find a line at the bottom. They had to fill in her bubble, and write her name.

But they did. And they did it in numbers so massive, her total (unofficial) count of 5,292 votes was 1.033 more than her 2 Republican opponents — combined.

The GOP message from Camilo Riano and Jamie Fitzpatrick was, essentially: Our schools are failing. Our teachers are not teaching. Our administrators are forcing their beliefs on students. Our superintendent is a groomer.

Westporters did not buy it. Turning out in record numbers for an off-year, non-statewide election, they said, essentially: Enough.

Enough of divisive rhetoric. Enough name-calling. Enough negativity.

Dillon — plus Democratic Board of Ed chair Lee Goldstein and fellow incumbent Neil Phillips, both of whom won handily (with even more votes than Dillon) — countered with fervent support for our schools.

They said, essentially: We support our superintendent, administrators, teachers, students, and fellow Board of Ed members. We are proud of our school system and its values, and of our town and its values.

The election will not solve all the problems that Westport faces. Many differences of opinion, debates and controversies lie ahead.

What there should not be — if yesterday’s election is any indication — is name-calling and negativity.

We have a great school system. It is filled with excellent administrators and teachers. They work hard every day to do their best to provide for the academic, extracurricular — and social and emotional — needs of students who face unceasing, unfathomable pressures, from the world at large, American society, and our wonderful but very demanding town.

From left: Neil Phillips, Lee Goldstein, Jill Dillon. All won election to the Board of Education yesterday.

Yesterday’s election marked a ringing affirmation of support for our school system from the thousands of parents with children in it.

But there are thousands of voters without children in our schools. They are old and young. Some have been here for decades. Some have been here for a relatively few days.

They too rejected the message of negativity and divisiveness. They too embraced positivity, progress, and faith in the direction our schools and town are heading.

The election is over. The residents have spoken.

It is time to move forward — together.

And it is time to heed the words of Jill Dillon, the newest Board of Education member, who told “06880” early this morning:

“During the campaign, I said ‘I know who I am, and who I am not.’

Today, Westporters showed who they are, and who they are not.”

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Write-In Candidate: Uphill Path To Creating Awareness

Posted on October 31, 2023 | 23 comments

The road to victory for a write-in candidate is daunting.

First, voters have to know he or she is running. They must learn how to fill in the ballot. At the polling place, they have to remember to do it.

Meanwhile, the candidate must somehow get his or her message out — without relying on traditional party machinery.

There’s a reason why Westporters cannot recall the last time — if ever – such a candidate won office here.

But Jill Dillon is undaunted. She’s running a write-in campaign for the Board of Education.

Jill Dillon

And she thinks she has a shot.

The long-time unaffiliated voter decided to run when she realized that because the Town Charter limits one party to no more than a bare majority on the BOE, one of two Republican candidates — Camilo Riano or Jamie Fitzgerald — seemed guaranteed a seat.

Their views worried Dillon, who served as PTA president at both Kings Highway Elementary and Coleytown Middle Schools, and generally supports the Westport Public Schools’ administrators and teachers (and the current Board of Ed).

Without speaking with Democratic Town Committee representatives, her hope was that voters would circle the names of Lee Goldstein and Neil Phillips — the 2 incumbent Dems in the race — and also bubble in the bottom of the ballot, then write “Jill Dillon.”

Her decision to run was solidified by support from friends — and strangers.

But “thank you for running” comments don’t translate into action. So Dillon and a dedicated corps of volunteers have been hard at work. They’re using social media, word of mouth, meet-and-greets and more.

Like all candidates, Jill Dillon has plenty of lawn signs.

Besides the usual challenges — including not appearing in the League of Women Voters’ guide — she has had to answer questions about why one of her 2 daughters attends private school. (The other is at CMS.)

“It was the right decision for her,” Dillon explains. “People assume we thought Staples was deficient.

“Not at all. As parents, we all make the best decisions we can. We thought that environment was the best fit. It’s been very good for her.

“I love our schools. I am 100% committed to Staples, and the Westport Public Schools.”

Criticism has not bothered her.

“I know who I am, and who I am not,” Dillon says. “Name-calling doesn’t bother me.”

She does not engage in back-and-forth on social media. “It degenerates quickly” into personal attacks, she says.

“It’s ironic. We don’t want our kids to be bullies. But adults bully all the time.”

Democrats Goldstein and Phillips have been called names. So have Republicans Fitzgerald and Riano.

“You can disagree strongly with what they says,” Dillon notes of the GOP candidates she is running against. “But calling them names takes away from their arguments.

“I don’t think I’ve smeared Camilo. I’ve stated his positions, and where I disagree. I think I’ve provided factual evidence to back up my claims.”

As her campaign heads toward the November 7 election, Dillon has been surprised by support from people she does not know.

Wearing a t-shirt with her name at CVS, she was approached by a woman with young children. “Thank you for giving us a choice,” she told Dillon.

Jill Dillon with supporters, at the Westport Farmers’ Market.

It’s one thing for a write-in candidate to forage for votes in areas where she’s known — like parents with children in schools. But Dillon realizes she must get the word out to other groups, including older voters, empty nesters, and younger voters without children.

So she and her volunteers continue to post on social media. They hand out yard signs.

And they keep hoping that voters know there’s a bubble at the bottom of the ballot that must be filled in, with a name they remember.

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Write-In Candidate Enters Board Of Ed Race

Posted on October 16, 2023 | 58 comments

The Board of Education election just got even more interesting.

Jill Dillon — a well-known former PTA president, St. Luke religious school teacher and community volunteer — has launched a write-in campaign.

Her goal is to prevent the election of at least one — or possibly both — Republican candidates to the board.

The Town Charter prohibits any political party from having more than a bare majority on the Board of Education — in other words, no more than 4 of the 7 seats.

Three seats will be filled next month. The Democratic and Republican Town Committees picked 2 nominees each. Before Dillon’s entry, that meant that at least one of the Republicans — Jamie Fitzgerald or Camilo Riano — would be guaranteed a seat.

Riano attends most BOE meetings, where he often criticizes the board. Little is known about Fitzgerald, who has never run for office.

Dillon has been an unaffiliated voter since she and her husband John moved to Westport in 2012. Raised in Virginia by Republican parents, she says she has voted for candidates from both parties in local elections.

Party labels, she says, “can put people in a box. That does a disservice to everyone. As an adult, I look at issues critically, and on my own.”

Jill Dillon

Dillon had not liked Riano’s confrontational tactics during BOE public comment time. She says she withheld judgment about Fitzgerald, hoping to learn more about her stands.

But after watching two “fireside chats” produced by the RTC, she became concerned about the future of the Board of Ed if even one of the pair was elected.

As PTA president at both Kings Highway Elementary and Coleytown Middle Schools, she has watched the BOE operate.

“The current board is excellent,” Dillon says. “They are congenial and collaborative. They get things done. They work well together, and they have a good relationship with the administration.”

As she learned more about Riano and Fitzgerald, and talked with friends who were also concerned, she considered a write-in campaign.

Last week — just before the League of Women Voters debate with Riano, Fitzgerald and Democratic incumbent candidates Lee Goldstein and Neil Phillips — Dillon got a call from a man she did not know.

He’s a Saugatuck Elementary School dad, he explained. He heard she might be running, and urged her to do so — to “keep the Board of Ed moving forward.”

That night, she attended the LWV debate. She wore a t-shirt with a logo a college friend had quickly designed. She attracted plenty of interest — and encouragement.

Jill Dillon’s logo

As she listened to the debate, her decision to run was solidified. She had served as a PTA president the same time as both Goldstein and current Republican BOE member Dorie Hordon. Dillon realized she could help them both keep the Board functioning in a forward-looking way.

“Debate Camilo and fireside Camilo are not the Camilo who shows up at Board meetings,” Dillon says. “He’s combative. He comes at issues in a way that makes people not want to engage.”

Fitzgerald, meanwhile, “did not show depth of understanding about our schools.”

Neither Republican candidate, Dillon says, “seemed to care about the mental health of our kids. Jamie talked about her 30-year-old daughter who was bullied in 6th grade, but didn’t seem to think we should focus on bullying and mental health.

“Camilo said his kids are happy. I’m glad. But I’ve seen a lot of kids who are struggling. Your kids may not be, but others are. And kids who seem happy may not always be.”

Dillon’s professional career was in public opinion research. Moderating focus groups, she led discussions and helped leaders make informed decisions.

She had her first daughter at 35. After CMS, she is now a freshman at an all-girls school.

“As parents, we all make the best decisions we can,” Dillon explains. “We thought that environment was the best fit.

“I love our schools. Not continuing to Staples was hard for her, and me. I’ve known the (current) freshmen since they were in kindergarten.

“She still sees her friends every day. And her school has been really good for her.”

Dillon’s other daughter is a 7th grader at Coleytown Middle. “She wants to go to Staples. Every kid is different. We’ll see what works for her,” Dillon says.

Running as an unendorsed candidate is a challenge. The bottom of the ballot has space for write-ins. Dillon will register with both the Secretary of the State and Town Clerk, so they will understand the intent of voters who write not the preferred “Jill Dillon,” but something like “Jill D,” or misspell her name. Voters must also fill in the circle next to that write-in name.

Dillon has not spoken with the Republican or Democratic Town Committees. She has heard that Democrats are pleased there may be an alternative to Fitzgerald and Riano, if both Goldstein and Phillips are re-elected.

She and her “scrappy team” will spend the next 3 weeks knocking on doors, making calls, and educating voters on how to write her name on the ballot. “Fill in Dillon” has a nice ring, she laughs.

Tomorrow (Tuesday, October 17, 7 p.m.) she will meet voters in Westport Library Room 215.

On Friday (October 20, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.), she’ll host an informal gathering at the Compo Beach pavilion.

“Our town boards operate wonderfully,” Dillon says. “Party affiliation hasn’t meant much here. Local issues haven’t fit neatly into a political box. This is the first time where an election might impede progress.”

But local issues are important. On the Long Lots Elementary School renovation project — which has become tied to the fate of the Westport Community Gardens — Dillon says, “we need a new school, full stop. And the gardens are gorgeous. They’ve provided so much. They’re part of the fabric of Westport. We have to try hard to find a way to build both.”

Regarding the display of LGBTQ-themed books challenged at Staples (which Riano and Fitzgerald have criticized, and Goldstein and Phillips supported), Dillon says, “It’s a difficult needle to thread. I understand parents’ objections to the display, and to the pictures and content of some of the books.

“But it goes back to mental health. When kids feel different, they can’t learn well. If one child needs those books, I want them available. There can be a happy medium between banning books, and exposing kids to content their parents don’t want them to see.”

Candidates at Thursday’s League of Women Voters debate. From left: Lee Goldstein, Jamie Fitzgerald, Camilo Riano, Neil Phillips. (Photo/Mia Bomback)

Of her decision to run, Dillon says, “I have immense respect for all members currently serving on the Board of Education, regardless of their party affiliation, and I hope that Lee Goldstein and Neil Phillips are re-elected.

“I think it is imperative that the third seat go to a candidate with a moderate voice who has publicly demonstrated collaboration, been an active leader in the community, and who cares deeply about the continued excellence of our schools. I am that candidate.”

She adds, “Westport’s schools are our crown jewel, and it’s the BoE’s responsibility to lead the way. Our schools offer unparalleled access to learning, athletics, and the arts, while fostering community.

“Our children’s education is the foundation from which they are launched to achieve success in a broader world.”

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Board Of Ed Candidates Debate Academic Rigor, “Soft Skills,” Library Books And More

Posted on October 13, 2023 | 49 comments

Mia Bomback reports:

Four candidates for the Board of Education weighed in on a variety of issues involving students, teachers and parents last night. 

There were no raised voices. But differences between the sitting board members, and those who hope to unseat them, were clear.

On books, bullying and the budget, the incumbent Democrats defended their service, while their Republican challengers called for changes. Westport’s League of Women Voters sponsored the event, at Town Hall.

Lee Goldstein, the Board’s current chair, and her running mate, Neil Phillips, Board of Ed secretary, are facing Camilo Riano and Jamie Fitzgerald. 

Goldstein and Phillips cited their combined 25 years of public service. Fitzgerald and Riano — running for their first elected positions — noted their experience as consultants, educators and entrepreneurs. All 4 candidates have children currently enrolled in, or who have gone through, Westport Public Schools. 

From left: Board of Education candidates Lee Goldstein, Jamie Fitzgerald, Camilo Riano and Neil Phillips, at last night’s League of Women Voters debate. (Photo/Mia Bomback)

Perhaps the most divisive issue was the role of mental health in schools. Asked about the most critical issues in the district, Fitzgerald described a departure from a focus on “academic rigor.” She called diversity, equity and inclusion, and social and and emotional learning, “soft skills” that take away from classroom time. 

Goldstein argued that the mental well-being of students is of the utmost priority. Social and emotional awareness are not “soft skills,” she argued, “but rather people skills, that teach children to effectively regulate their own emotions and situations. We can’t avert our eyes, and pretend that kids are alright.”

On the issue of the removal of books from school libraries, Phillips defended the Board’s adherence to previously established procedures when a complaint was lodged against a collection of books at Staples last year. 

Riano and Fitzgerald, meanwhile, emphasized the need for restricting content that is not “age appropriate” for school-age students.

“Frankly, it’s a perverted debate,” Fitzgerald said. “The school librarians decide to stock sexually explicit books, which are frequently far more obscene than is necessary. I don’t want my children seeing that, especially not in a public school.”

Goldstein responded, “every parent has the right to decide what’s appropriate for their children, but not what’s appropriate for everyone else’s.” 

Riano and Fitzgerald also called for reform in the structure of the board itself. Referring to the budget and recently contested equity study, Riano described the board as operating under “a galactic black hole.”

“Transparency is missing from the Board of Ed,” he said. “As a parent, I’ve experienced the Board of Ed implementing plans in a very secretive way. It makes it difficult for us, parents, the stockholders of this enterprise, to have representation, to know what’s going on with our schools.” 

Phillips and Goldstein countered Riano’s claims. They said that all information regarding Board of Education meetings and decision are made public on the Town’s official website, including the personal cell phone numbers of Board members. 

In their closing statements, Riano and Fitzgerald called for an emphasis on academic rigor, intellectual development, parental participation and “taking politics out of schools.” 

“We want to change the direction of the district. The emphasis on academics is being lost, and we’re beginning to see it in the rankings,” Riano said.

“Across the nation and here in Westport, many Americans are outraged by the attempt to take what should be a neutral place, our classrooms, and turn it into a political football. It’s not just a question of what ‘team’ you are on, because, while maybe some parents think they might be ‘winners’ in this ‘political game,’ we know who the losers are: the children, because the more we allow political beliefs to cloud our judgement, the less concerned we are with what actually works.”

In his closing statement, Phillips vowed to continue to dedicate time and care to “listen to the parent community, to the teachers and most importantly, to the students.”

“We lead from a basic foundation of mutual respect between ourselves and the administration, where integrity matters, process matters and trust matters,” he said. “This has been a hallmark of our public schools, but there is still more important work that needs to be done.”

“Neil and I, in all our years, have approached this work from the standpoint of making things better,” Goldstein said, in her closing statement. “We see problems, and we try to fix them. We see things that are going really well, and we try to build on them. Our academics are rigorous and exceptional, and we want our students to be profound thinkers who can manage difficult material in the humanities, math and sciences.

“But what I also know is true is that academics are not enough. We need to support our students emotionally and encourage such as perseverance, empathy and leadership. It’s never been more important to ensure our kids learn to navigate such a fraught and complex world.”

Other questions included the use of artificial intelligence in schools, the best way to teach slavery, bullying, and the most effective means of communication with the public. Absent from the conversation was any question about the controversial reconstruction of Long Lots Elementary School.

(“06880” covers the Westport education scene. But we can’t do it without your help. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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[OPINION] GOP Board Of Ed Candidates: Democrats Use “Character Assassination” To Distract Voters

Posted on October 5, 2023 | 46 comments

Yesterday, “06880” published an “Opinion” piece by Candice Savin. The Democratic 3rd selectwoman and former Board of Education chair said she was “shocked, disappointed and highly concerned” about Republican Board of Ed candidate Camilo Riano, and worried  about what it means “for the future of our top ranked school district.”

Today, Riano and fellow Republican Board of Education candidate Jamie Fitzgerald respond. They say:

Another day, another lengthy character assassination by Westport Democrats or their allies directed at Camilo.

How many thousands of words can be used to express outrage over one single word, “grooming,” that was used to protest inappropriate sexual content put in front of our children? At this point, we believe Westport voters can decide for themselves how they feel about that.

Camilo Riano

The much more important thing to do at this juncture is to turn our attention to what is really going on here, politically. Westport Democrats are clearly panicked about losing their control of our Board of Education.

So they are engaging in character assassination as a distraction from what voters in Westport are actually worried about: how the major initiatives of the Goldstein-controlled board are damaging the quality of education in Westport.

The Goldstein/Phillips campaign sent out their email on books, and fired up their proxies to try to tear Camilo apart as a human being, precisely because they don’t want to have this conversation.

But we do.

The 2 major initiatives championed by our rivals — equity and a strategic plan based around social emotional learning — rely on deeply flawed philosophies that are already degrading the quality of education in Westport.

Goldstein and Phillips try to take credit for a favorable ranking of our school district in a recent survey. We agree that our schools are still benefiting from a foundation of excellence that was laid over many decades. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it didn’t collapse in a day.

But to borrow a term from the NYU Metro Center, even though we are only at the beginning phases of “dismantling” the educational approaches and strategies that made Westport a leading school district, we are already seeing signs of trouble.

Earlier this year, the administration acknowledged enrollment fell short of expectations as parents are either pulling their children from Westport Public Schools or choosing not to enroll the younger ones in the first place. As we have campaigned, we have in fact heard a great deal of dissatisfaction with the educational experience in our schools, which has led many families to abandon them.

The emerging problems are particularly acute at the elementary level, and Camilo has witnessed this firsthand. Saugatuck Elementary, where Camilo sends his own 4 children, is now ranked 56th in Connecticut, a far cry from number one.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: According to the 2023-24 Niche rankings, Saugatuck Elementary School is ranked #10 out of 575 elementary schools in Connecticut. All other elementary schools are also in the Top Ten: Greens Farms #2, Coleytown #4, Kings Highway #5 and Long Lots #8. Overall, the Westport Public Schools are ranked #1 in the state.] 

Jamie Fitzgerald

It is at the elementary level where the district’s accelerating shift away from traditional academic foundations, in favor of politicized approaches based on establishing racial equity and emotional programming, has already had its greatest impact.

It is worth noting, in the same Niche poll that our competitors cite, Staples High School is in fact not the number one ranked public high school in Connecticut, but is now second to New Canaan High School.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: See note above; for 2023-24, Niche ranked Westport first, New Canaan 2nd.]

The majority of the New Canaan Board of Education is controlled by elected Republicans, who have taken a principled stand against the same highly politicized DEI agenda that their own local activists are trying to foist upon the school system. Do not believe the myth that erasing academic standards and racializing education does anything to enhance student outcomes.

The erosion of rigor, the politicization of the curriculum and the classroom, the preference for emotional manipulation over educational fundamentals — these are real points of differentiation between the two tickets. This is what voters need to be talking about. Even if our rivals just want to engage in partisan antics, we will continue to do so.

We just dropped “Part 2: Equity,” the second installment of our Fireside Chat Series. You can watch it here.

It follows our well received “Part 1: Introductions,” which provides background on who we really are as candidates and parents in the community, available here.

We urge Westport voters to watch these videos.

Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/fitzgeraldandrianoforboe for more episodes and other useful content.

There are real substantive issues in this election, and the stakes could not be higher. Let’s call it quits on the political posturing and have these important discussions.

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[OPINION] 3rd Selectwoman: Riano Nomination “A Departure From Responsibility”

Posted on October 4, 2023 | 39 comments

Before being named 3rd Selectwoman, Democrat Candice Savin served as Board of Education chair. She writes:

In the wake of the Republican party’s nomination of Camilo Riano as a candidate for our Board of Education I am left shocked, disappointed and, as the former chair of the Board of Education, highly concerned about what this means for the future of our top ranked school district.

Camilo Riano

The Republican Town Committee’s nomination of Mr. Riano marks a departure from a longstanding tradition of responsibility and civility in Westport in more ways than one.

Already, one of the 3 sitting elected Republican BOE members, Robert Harrington, has objected to Mr. Riano’s long and highly public record of incivility and extremism.

(You can click here to see what Mr. Harrington said. And you can click here for a taste of Mr. Riano in his own words.)

Particularly objectionable and out of bounds is Mr. Riano’s irresponsible use of the terms “groomer” and “child sex grooming” in reference to Superintendent Scarice and other members of our world-class educational staff.

Will the Westport schools continue to attract top talent in an environment where members of the BOE falsely disparage professional educators?  Will our well-liked and highly respected superintendent of schools stay in Westport under such conditions?

Here’s another question: Where are the voices of other Republican leaders in town?

Of course, the typical response to candidates one might find objectionable is to simply not vote for them. But elections in Westport are different.

Due to our town charter, both the Republican and Democratic Town Committees have outsized power in determining who will serve on our governing boards.  The dharter requires a certain balance of party representation, regardless of how people vote. A Republican candidate, even one as objectionable as Mr. Riano, can lose the popular vote by a wide margin and still be seated on the BOE.

This is how things work in Westport. It is virtually impossible for the voters to truly reject candidates they find unacceptable.

This arrangement places a significant responsibility on the political parties when they nominate candidates. Historically, both parties have put forward candidates for the BOE who were committed to working constructively with the superintendent and fellow Board members.

Candice Savin

I served on the Board of Education for 5 years. And although I sometimes disagreed with both my Republican and Democratic colleagues, my experience was that we treated each other and our educators with respect, and worked collaboratively to create the top school system in Connecticut.

As we all have learned by now, Mr. Riano is not cut from that mold. As Election Day approaches, we can only hope that the community speaks loudly and clearly with their votes to place more constructive candidates on our BOE.

Thus far, aside from Robert Harrington, the members of the RTC and local Republican leaders – the people who nominated Mr. Riano — have been silent as to why they think he is an appropriate candidate, and whether or not they support his many outlandish and divisive positions. We need to hear from more Republican leaders of good will.

No doubt there will be commenters to this article who will try to normalize Mr. Riano and engage in a whole lot of “what-about-ism.” Having witnessed many of Mr. Riano’s broadsides as I chaired the BOE, I know firsthand how outside of the norm his comments have been.

It is not character assassination to call out someone’s incendiary public remarks and accusations.  Quite the contrary, it is exactly what decency requires.

The nomination of Mr. Riano marks a turning point for our community, a turn away from civility and towards extremism, enabled and encouraged by the Republican political machine in Westport.

Let’s work together, Democrats and Republicans and Independents of good will and good sense, to stop it.

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[OPINION] Camilo Riano: “Give Parents The Representation They Deserve”

Posted on September 13, 2023 | 31 comments

On Monday, Republican Board of Education member Robert Harrington said that Republican candidate Camilo Riano “crosses the line.” Harrington cited Riano’s comments about superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice, and 2 complaints Riano filed against the town of Westport.

Riano replies:

As one of the Republican candidates for the Board of Education, I was truly hoping for a campaign in which we had substantive discussions on topics which are important to the parents, the teachers and the children of Westport. Instead, we are already down the path of character assassination.

Camilo Riano

During the past few days, there has been an increase in social media posts that reiterate the innuendo against me that my Democrat rivals have been circulating in their campaign communications. The comments are also consistent with the various smears and character attacks that their supporters have been directing towards me in different media outlets.

The objections to my candidacy seem to revolve around two major points. First, my use of the phrase “child grooming.” Second, my legal efforts, as a concerned citizen, to correct violations of the Westport town charter.

For the benefit of voters, I will address both points head on.

First, in an open letter to Superintendent Scarice, and at Board of Education meetings, I have asked for an end to the “child grooming” that is taking place within our schools.

Pornographic images are widely recognized tools within the child grooming toolkit. According to retired FBI Agent Bob Hamer, “the most important step” in seducing a child through successful grooming techniques is the introduction of “sexual talk and pornography, explaining to the child that he was old enough to understand and mature enough to appreciate sexual topics.”

Along with many parents in our community, I considered the “banned books” display that was set up at the high school library extremely problematic. Some of the images in these books were so pornographic that Dan Woog himself took them down from his website, after briefly posting them. This material was not merely sitting on the shelves of our school libraries. The book display was intentionally designed to tempt our children to review the images by inviting students to “find out why” the books were “banned.”

Three books in the Staples High School Library were challenged by parent Tina McLaughlin. A special committee later voted unanimously that the books could remain in the library. Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice affirmed the decision; McLaughlin later dropped her appeal of that decision.

I do not believe, and never stated, that anyone connected with our schools intended to abuse our children physically, but the unintended risks associated with sexually inappropriate material are potentially very serious. If rational people are having a genuine discussion as to whether or not material displayed in our school library legally qualifies as obscenity or child pornography, something is seriously wrong.

While some might be offended by my choice of words, attacking the words I used does not change the inappropriateness of what has been taking place in our schools. Citizens have a right to dislike this word or that, but I believe most parents, across party lines, are quite uncomfortable with many things happening in our school district that would have been unimaginable in years past. I believe parents are much more concerned about the recent escalation of sexual content and themes in so many facets of our schools and much less concerned about which terms are the most politically correct. As a candidate for BOE, I stand for reasonable and appropriate boundaries when it comes to sex and gender related matters.

Second, let’s discuss my engagement with the town of Westport on the topic of the violation of the town charter. In two instances, I brought to the Town’s attention (working with an attorney who actually acts as legal counsel for multiple other towns in our state) what I believe were clear violations of the Town Charter.

In the first instance, my engagement on the subject of the composition of TEAM Westport, the town lawyer and the first selectwoman actually concurred with our analysis and responded to it by restructuring the committee to bring it in line with the charter. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to thank me for bringing this to the town’s attention, rather than using my involvement here as some kind of talking point against me? Do we not value compliance with the law in Westport?

In the second instance, I communicated my view, supported by legal analysis, that the Board of Ed lacks the legal standing to add student representatives who will function as de facto board members. All 3 Republican board members had objections to the installation of these student “representatives.” I stand with them in their positions.

I am putting myself out there as a candidate because I have strong objections to how the Democrats, under the so-called leadership of chairperson Lee Goldstein, are running the school system. I think it is time to renew the membership of the Board of Education and give parents the representation they deserve.

I continue to believe that how we approach the issues of gender and sexuality within our schools is very important. While activists may continue to insist on their various philosophical positions, these are our children and we need to stand up for them. It was only because of strong advocacy from parents that superintendent Scarice recently had to clarify that our teachers are prohibited from inquiring about student pronouns (indirectly asking children as young as sixth grade, on their very first day of school, if they are transgendered). In some cases, teachers were even asking the students if they wanted this information to be withheld from their parents! Mr. Scarice is correct in his determination that this practice is unacceptable, and I commend him for making that unambiguous.

We should not just blindly trust ideologically motivated activists who have been ignoring what the administration told them. Parents need to be involved. This is why we have a Board of Education. By and large, our teachers are excellent and I have been always on their side, but when something is going wrong in our district, it is the obligation of good parents to step in and make their voice heard.

Enough with the personal attacks. Let’s stop distracting voters with semantics and focus on substance. Let’s have a real dialogue. I welcome the opportunity to engage with my Democrat rivals on these crucial issues.

Let’s have a meaningful and civil exchange of ideas. Let the voters decide. This is how American democracy works.

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[OPINION] Robert Harrington: Fellow GOP Member Running For Ed Board “Crosses The Line”

Posted on September 11, 2023 | 60 comments

Robert Harrington was elected to Westport’s Board of Education 2 years ago, on the Republican ticket. Halfway through his term, he writes:

Two years ago I had a major issue with my local party’s silence stance over the anonymous “Westport Parents” WP06880.com website. In August 2021 the anonymous website was created. Signs started appearing around town stating “Wale up Westport! CRT is here!” in reference to Critical Race Theory.

Despite an uncomfortable election (when I was running), I decided to stay inside the local Republican Party and have been an active member at meetings since.

I am proud of the way my 2 Republican BOE colleagues and I have worked together and put that election behind us. The Republican minority on the BOE has tackled tough questions like redistricting. We’ve asked tough questions, and have not always sided with central office and our superintendent just because they are the administration of Westport Public School or its chief executive officer.

We haven’t always voted as a party block, and we’ve certainly participated in multiple unanimous votes on issues like our budget and school facilities.

That’s not the end of this article. I’m heading for another disagreement with my local Republican Party into the upcoming election.

Robert Harrington

I’m sure some in my party will be thinking of the words of President Ronald Reagan, “There you go again.” But this is too important for me to remain silent on.

I am highly disappointed by my party’s choice for at least one of the candidates for the Board of Education.

In late August, the Republican Town Committee nominated Camilo Riano and Jamie Fitzgerald for the Board of Education. I really cannot comment on Camilo’s running mate, as I have never met her or seen her at any BOE or Republican Party meetings.

I am not here to attack Camilo personally. He is a resident, a father of 4 kids who attend our public schools in Westport. Furthermore, he has participated in almost every BOE meeting over the past 2 years. He has turned up and been engaged.

Camilo Riano, from the livestream of a Board of Education meeting.

I don’t disagree with everything he has ever said. I personally strongly advocate for asking tough questions and involving parents in the education of our children. I may disagree with many of the comments he has made and actions he has taken, but he has every right to do that as a citizen, Westport resident and parent.

The real issue for me is that my local Republican Party has chosen to be associated with those views, and has voted to nominate him as one of our 2 candidates.

Our Republican candidate has stood up in public BOE meetings and been active on social media denouncing board members and school administrators for enabling “groomers.” He has directly called out the WPS Superintendent and accused him of “grooming” children. For instance, at a BOE meeting last October 3 he said, “Mr. Scarice, as superintendent of our public schools when are you going to stop the child grooming of our children?”

This is crossing the line.

I think we should all stop and pause for one second. Let it sink in. Those are the words of one of the official local Republican Board of Education candidates.

It’s one thing to disagree with an equity study, not support DEI, or even support a book challenge. But the words above were said directly to, and directly about, our school administrators, central office and our superintendent.

I personally have had several disagreements in public with our superintendent. I’m pretty self-aware, and I’m sure I have irritated and frustrated our administration on multiple occasions. I passionately believe it’s our role as elected representatives to support, question and challenge our leaders to make our school system better. Local residents also should challenge us as BOE members. I certainly did before I got elected, when I had the microphone for 2 minutes.

However,  I would never accuse our administration or superintendent of anything like that. My Republican and Democrat colleagues on the board never have, and I’m confident they never would.

Secondly, Camilo has filed 2 complaints against the town of Westport related to student participation on the BOE, and challenging the composition of TEAM Westport. Do we really want to be nominating Republican candidates who are trying to take legal action against the town of Westport?

Over the past few weeks I have spoken with senior members of my local party, and been upfront about my concerns. I have also reached out multiple times directly to Camilo himself and explained my views. I have asked to speak with him either on the phone or in person, and consider retracting the “grooming” comments and apologizing to our school administrators and superintendent. He politely declined, stating, “I am really busy and do not see much value in getting together to discuss Mr. Scarice’s feelings.”

I think extreme attacks and accusations need to stop, whereever they come from. It’s not just from from the right. At the end of the last school year in a public BOE meeting a member of the public, and an active local Democrat (although not a candidate) referred to my Republican BOE colleague as a “Nazi.” Accusations and references to people as “Nazis,” “groomers,” “fascists,” “racists,” “Marxists” should have no place in our local politics. I hope we can leave all this behind.

Westport Board of Education members, with Westport Public Schools administrators and Long Lots School Building Committee representatives, last week. Robert Harrington is second from left, facing the camera.

Many people reading this may simply ask, “Robert, why do you stay in your party?” I am a Republican. I’m not going anywhere. I am going to stay and fight to try and change our party from within. I may well be unsuccessful. However, I feel it would be disingenuous to suddenly switch to being a Democrat. Even our local system of elections forces us to choose a party if we want to serve on the BOE, and our town charter limits any political party to a maximum of 4 of 7 members on the BOE. Running as an independent is simply not a reality.

The Republicans have not had a majority on the BOE in Westport for over 25 years. If both these candidates were to win, it would break this trend — and I might stand to gain personally. However, I would not want the Republicans to take control like this.

I really hope my party can find another way. I just can’t support them on this.

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Resident: Student Reps On Board of Ed “Illegal”

Posted on July 8, 2023 | 41 comments

The Board of Education will add 2 high school representatives soon: one senior and one junior, both from Staples.

There are caveats. They cannot vote or read board correspondence. They will not attend executive sessions (which may deal with personnel, security and other sensitive matters). They must be in good academic standing.

It’s not a novel concept. At least a dozen other districts in the state — including Madison, where superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice previously served — have student representatives on their Boards of Education.

All 4 Democrats voted in favor of the proposal. All 3 Republicans opposed it.

Most public comment was positive. One resident, Camilo Riano, wondered why students should have more rights than he does in addressing the board.

Staples PTA co-president Michele Carey-Moody noted that any adult who wants a voice on the Board of Ed could run for a seat on it.

Now Riano has taken his concerns a step further.

He retained attorney Vincent Marino, who emailed 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker.

Marino says, “the Board will grant these new appointees the privilege to participate during each meeting ‘seated at the Board table’ with the right and expectation ‘to contribute to the Board’s decision-making process.’…

“The student representatives are expected to recommend suggestions and topics. for discussion and consideration by the Board.’ The student representatives are further expected to ‘speak on any issue on the Board meeting agenda or motion before the Board.'”

Riano charges the Board with illegally creating 2 ex-officio membership positions, not authorized by the town charter or Representative Town Meeting.

Riano says that the charter does not establish or authorize ex-officio positions, or give the board the authority to increase its membership, and that all members shall be elected.

Marino emailed Tooker because, he says, “if such authority exists, it rests with the RTM or with you as First Selectwoman, not with the Board itself. The Board’s action is, at a minimum, an illegal usurpation of legislative authority.”

On behalf of Riano, he requests that Tooker rule the board’s action out of order, “and void ab initio.”

He adds, “If permitted to stand, the Board’s illegal action creates a precedent that boards and commissions can circumvent the RTM and unilaterally disrupt the composition of their membership, including the partisan balance.”

Scarice and Board of Ed chair Lee Goldstein said they had been advised by the board’s attorney that the board could add student representatives.

Late yesterday, 1st Selectwoman Tooker could not be reached for comment.

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TEAM Westport Membership Challenged

Posted on January 31, 2022 | 58 comments

An attorney representing 2 Westporters has charged TEAM Westport with violating the town charter, and state statute.

In an email to 1st Selectman Jen Tooker, Vincent Marino — representing Zack Alcyone and Camilo Riano — says that since its formation in 2005, the town’s multicultural organization has “failed to satisfy the minority representation requirement and has included ineligible members. As a result, the Committee has conducted business in violation of the law, and in recent years, in absence of a quorum.”

Marino says that TEAM Westport includes 14 members, and that by charter and state statute, no more than 9 can be from one political party. He lists 11 Democrats, one unaffiliated, and one resident each of Weston and Redding, along with a 15th ex officio member. (Click here for TEAM Westport committee members, as listed on the town website.)

He charges also that “only electors of the Town may be appointed to serve on elected or appointed boards and commissions of the Town.” Two other members, he says, no longer live in Westport.

Marino says that at least 5 members — including chair Harold Bailey Jr. — have served longer than the charter allows.

He demands that 9 members be advised that they are no longer eligible to serve; that “all prior action of the Committee is to be considered void,” and that the 5 remaining members cannot conduct business in the absence of a quorum.

If Marino’s concerns are not addressed by Friday, he says his clients are “prepared to seek a writ of mandamus” (judicial remedy).

Members of TEAM Westport — the acronym stands for Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism — “live and work in Westport or Weston,” its website says. Members are appointed by the first selectman.

The committee was created in 2003, by Democratic 1st Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell. “Westport’s traditional ties with neighboring Weston quickly added volunteers from Weston with the sponsorship of Weston First Selectman Woody Bliss,” the website notes.

In 2005, the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) voted to name TEAM Westport an official municipal committee. Democrat Gordon Joseloff and Republicans Jim Marpe and Jen Tooker have continued their support of the group.

Tooker’s office did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

(Full disclosure: I was a member of TEAM Westport at its inception in 2003. I resigned when I began the “06880” blog.)

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