Greenwich Selectman Camillo wins ruling against School Board Democrats for illegal power grab

In a preliminary decision on Friday October 10, the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission ruled that the Democrat members of the Greenwich Board of Education (BOE), violated state law in convening an emergency meeting on Oct 21, 2024. In order to fill an open Republican seat with a Democrat-preferred candidate, the Democrat members hastily convened a meeting while they were temporarily in control of the BOE.

The Commission ruling found that the emergency school board meeting was improperly called, lacked sufficient public notice, and included inaccurate minutes. The ruling declared the meeting to be "null and void" and that the Democrat members "did not act in good faith" in carrying out the appointment. A formal vote will take place on October 22, 2025.

This ruling strengthens the Selectman's separate lawsuit arguing that all actions stemming from the illegal meeting are invalid. For example, in May 2025, the BOE voted to extend Superintendent Jones' contract by two years, from June 2026 until June 2028. The vote passed by a narrow 5-3 margin, with the disputed appointee, Jen Behette, casting the decisive vote. Republicans wanted this decision delayed until the dispute over the seating of the BOE was resolved and until the Superintendent's performance in handling the school budget could be reviewed.

The maneuvering by the Democrat members of the BOE have cost the Town dearly in legal fees and has resulted in the premature and questionable renewal of an expensive Superintendent contract.

Between the Lines: In Greenwich, the only thing more expensive than an illegal power grab is the taxpayer-funded lawsuit to correct it. 

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