Camillo Cites Progress In School Board Lawsuit Talks As Dispute With Greenwich DTC Continues

GREENWICH, CT — At the start of Thursday morning's Board of Selectmen meeting, First Selectman Fred Camillo said he believed discussions with Republican school board member Paul Cappiali and acting Board of Education Chair Sophie Koven, a Democrat, on Nov. 9 had established a positive framework for potentially resolving litigation involving the school board.

Several hours later, Camillo released a statement accusing the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee of spreading falsehoods in a Thursday afternoon email newsletter about the ongoing legal dispute.

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The two sides continued to trade barbs on Friday, with Camillo writing in his community newsletter that he remained hopeful an agreement could be reached and approved by the full board and "that this out of line behavior by the DTC does not disrupt the progress that has been made."

The lawsuit and the ongoing saga between Camillo and the DTC stem from competing appointments to fill a Greenwich Board of Education vacancy left by Republican Chair Karen Kowalski's resignation in July 2024.

The school board voted 4-1 at an emergency meeting on Oct. 21, 2024, to appoint Republican Jennifer Behette. The Board of Selectmen appointed Republican Paul Cappiali to fill the vacancy the next day.

First Selectman Fred Camillo contended the Democratic BOE members violated state Freedom of Information laws by holding an illegal meeting to fill a vacancy before he could exercise his authority allowed by the Town Charter to appoint a member.

In October 2025, state Freedom of Information Commission hearing officer Christopher P. Hankins found the emergency meeting was improperly noticed, did not constitute an emergency and its actions were "null and void." Cappiali was one of a handful of school board members elected in November 2025.

But the lawsuit remains ongoing in court, with a trial start date of Aug. 10, 2027.

In their email newsletter on Thursday, the Greenwich DTC claimed the lawsuit has cost Greenwich taxpayers over $700,000.

During the Board of Selectmen meeting, Camillo said, "The one thing we did not resolve are the fees that were charged, so that's something we did not discuss, and maybe it's a little out of our hands."

Additionally, Superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools Dr. Toni Jones' proposed budget includes $500,000 for increased legal expenses for 2027.

"The Greenwich Board of Education needs to set aside half a million dollars in taxpayer money for its own legal defense in 2027," the Greenwich DTC said. "Do you know why? Because First Selectman Fred Camillo insists on continuing a frivolous lawsuit he began against the BOE in 2024. So, instead of an extra $500,000 to educate our kids next year, the BOE must pay its defense attorneys."

Camillo pushed back in his statement on Thursday evening, saying the DTC's email was "full of lies."

"This statement attempts to portray me as the instigator of this and it is clear that in an attempt to win partisan political points, the DTC is seeking to actively deceive Greenwich residents," Camillo said.

He blamed BOE Democrats for escalating the matter into a legal proceeding and claimed he retained outside counsel only after they threatened him and the town with a lawsuit and refused to seat the selectmen's appointee.

Camillo mentioned his meeting with Cappiali and Koven.

"I truly appreciate the efforts of both Sophie Koven and Paul Cappiali to bring this to a resolution. Unfortunately, their efforts are being undermined by the DTC. The DTC should be ashamed of itself for their dishonesty, and for taking the people of Greenwich as fools," Camillo said.

Greenwich DTC Chair Christina Downey issued a statement on Friday afternoon, saying the organization stands by its Nov. 12 newsletter. She noted Camillo "has the unilateral ability to withdraw the case at any time, if he so chooses."

"Why would Mr. Camillo refuse to settle this case simply because of something the DTC has written?" Downey said. "And importantly, Mr. Camillo owes Greenwich residents a clear explanation of what taxpayers stand to gain from this extended vanity lawsuit against town volunteers."

In an emailed statement to Patch Friday, Koven called her meeting with Camillo "a very productive conversation," and she left "feeling optimistic."

"I continue to be hopeful that we can quickly arrive at a resolution to this matter," Koven wrote, noting that she is not in a position to commit to any agreement terms on behalf of the board. She said she did not commit, verbally or in writing, to any specific terms during the meeting with Camillo.

"We discussed a framework for proceeding to a resolution and left with an agreement to continue to work together," Koven added. "The board will vote in public on any proposed agreement that results from that process. I certainly hope we will have the opportunity to do so in the near future."