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.
That led to a discussion of how much information board members and the public know about any particular non-renewal decision, then back to a debate about whether the Board of Education should weigh the views of parents and athletes in coaches’ non-renewal decisions.