Greenwich Board Of Education Breaks Deadlock, Elects New Chair

GREENWICH, CT — After two deadlocked votes along party lines over the past month, the Greenwich Board of Education on Thursday finally came together to elect a new chair in Republican Joe Kelly.

Kelly was unanimously elected by the eight-person board to take over for Democrat Kathleen Stowe, who announced she was not seeking reelection.

Democratic board member Christina Downey was also elected as vice chair by a vote of seven in favor with one abstention from now-former vice chair Karen Kowalski, a Republican; and Karen Hirsh was unanimously re-elected as board secretary.

After the vote was made official and Kelly assumed the chair's seat, he said the near unanimous votes for all officers was a sign that the board could work together. Had another deadlocked vote taken place, the matter would have been forwarded to Greenwich Board of Selectmen for a decision, according to the town Charter.

"I will do my best and will try to make sure that all members of this board's voices are heard, and that their opinion is listened to. Not always will we be able to give everybody what they want, and in a 4-4 board compromise is necessary," Kelly said. "A functional board is a board that makes decisions. I will advocate for making decisions, and hopefully those decisions are made in an 8-0 manner so we're all working together in cooperation."

Kelly also thanked Stowe for her service as chair over the last year.

During the last two votes, Kelly and Democrat Christina Downey were both nominated for the top spot. But on Thursday, only Kelly was nominated by Stowe.

Kelly is a former rugby coach at Greenwich High School, and has been a member of the board of education since 2019. He has four children who have gone through the Greenwich Public Schools District.

"I think we all know Joe has many accomplishments professionally and in the community. What I like most about Joe is he's willing to roll up his sleeves and help, whether it's to get the [Cardinal] stadium fixed, pull some weeds, or get a teacher contract negotiated. He gives it his all and he does it with a great attitude," Stowe said. during her nomination remarks. "Of course, he's also a famous coach, investor, father, husband to Jill, and I think he's been a wonderful colleague. I really look forward to passing the baton to Joe."

Board member Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony nominated Downey for vice chair.

"Christina's work ethic and dedication to the board, students, families and our whole community in Greenwich is no stranger to any of us," Mercanti-Anthony said, noting that Downey's children have gone through the district. "She's been a volunteer for GPS since 1999. She's been a member of the RTM Education Committee, a member of the Junior League. On the board she's been in charge of policy and negotiations and served on two building committees."

Board member Laura Kostin nominated Hirsh for reelection as board secretary.

"She does such a great job. She can participate in a meeting, and type minutes of a meeting. Who else can really do that?" Kostin said.

The board's next business meeting is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2023.