Greenwich Board Of Education Deadlocked On Vote For New Chair

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Board of Education held another vote for a new board chair on Thursday night, and once again couldn't come to a resolution.

The board voted 4-4 along party lines for Democrat Christina Downey and Republican Joe Kelly, the same outcome from Nov. 16.

Current Chair Kathleen Stowe is not seeking reelection. In November, Stowe nominated Downey and Cody Kittle nominated Kelly.

The board will reconvene during its regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 15 and vote again. Per the Greenwich Town Charter, if the board can't come to a decision by the conclusion of that meeting, the matter will be forwarded to the Greenwich Board of Selectmen who will decide.

"We have two candidates that are awesome. I know right now we have a 4-4 vote, but we'll come back on the 15th and continue to work together," Stowe said following the vote on Thursday. "All is well, and as you can see, this is a board that's working well together."

The Greenwich Time reported that both Downey and Kelly feel the issue can be solved by the Board of Education in two weeks.

The Time noted that most recently in 2016, Republican First Selectman Peter Tesei and Republican Selectman John Toner voted to appoint former board of education member Peter Sherr, also a Republican, as chair, while Democrat Drew Marzullo voted against.

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