Greenwich School Board Agrees to Settlement Talks in Feud with First Selectman
At its meeting on Thursday, May 28, 2026, the Greenwich Board of Education (BOE) made a unanimous decision to authorize its legal counsel to enter into official settlement negotiations with the Town in the ongoing Camillo v. Hirsh and the BOE litigation.
Why the Lawsuit?
The entire legal battle stems from a procedural power struggle that took place in late 2024 over who had the authority to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education after a member resigned.
The BOE failed to fill the vacancy within the allotted timeframe.
Just as the Town stepped in to fill it, the BOE held an emergency meeting to seat their own chosen member.
The Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission later ruled that this "emergency" meeting was not properly noticed, rendering it null and void.
The Lawsuit Escalates
After winning in FOIA court, First Selectman Fred Camillo and the Town of Greenwich pressed forward with a civil lawsuit in Stamford Superior Court. The lawsuit targets the board as an entity, as well as its four named Democratic members: Karen Hirsh (Chair), Laura Kostin, Sophie Koven, and Kathleen Stowe.
Camillo's legal team began researching whether they could retroactively nullify all votes and third-party contracts (e.g. extending the School Superintendent's contract) passed by the BOE during the period it was deemed "unlawfully constituted."
The Financial Toll
By mid-2026, the combined legal fees billed to Greenwich taxpayers for both sides of the fight reached nearly $500,000, with costs climbing by an estimated $25,000 every month. With a trial not scheduled until April 2027, the escalating price tag has drawn considerable frustration from town finance officials and board members alike who want the parties to just swallow their pride, stop the depositions, and settle the case.
Separating the Source of Funding. While the town's law department budget fully covered about $200,000 for Camillo’s lawyers, the town administration has not released funds to cover $300,000 in accumulated BOE volunteer defense fees.
Exposing Volunteer Liability. In May 2026, the First Selectman filed a motion seeking to strip the BOE members of their indemnification, a move that would expose these volunteer board members to personal financial liability.
The Ball is in Camillo's Court
Despite the BOE's vote to negotiate, smooth sailing is far from guaranteed. According to the Greenwich Free Press, defendant Laura Kostin noted that actions behind the scenes seem to contradict a peaceful resolution:
“His [Camillo's] attorneys, 24 hours ago, served the BOE Defendants with notice of deposition. It does not appear that the First Selectman is acting in a manner that aligns with settlement.”
Between the Lines: Out of whose pocket will these legal fees ultimately be paid—the taxpayers, who cover the bills whether they come from the Town or the BOE budget, or the the named board members individually? A pre-trial remote hearing is scheduled for June 1. Stay tuned.