Letter To The Editor: Help Break The Cycle Of Negativity

Submitted to Patch by Peter Bernstein, outgoing Greenwich Board of Education Chair

As I leave the Greenwich Board of Education after eight years with the last four as chairman, I remain committed to the quality and success of our schools and students. Who we elect to the Board will have a significant impact on the Greenwich Public Schools going forward, even more so as we move beyond COVID.

That is why I will be voting for Republican BOE candidates Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony and Cody Kittle on November 2nd. Both believe in working collaboratively to ensure that the focus rightfully remains on our students.

Mike is a career educator who previously served on a Board of Education and understands accountability as a means of driving student achievement and success. Cody has a finance background and understands governance and the proper role of boards. Mike and Cody will add greatly to a Board that benefits from diverse skills and opinions.

While there is voter choice in this election, we need to put an end to the cycle of electing people to the board whose sole purpose is to create division and chase away superintendents. This is detrimental to our students and staff as it hampers positive change meant to increase achievement for all.

Voters need to be aware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Both Megan Galletta, the other Republican candidate, and Kara Philbin, the possible write-in candidate, have declined to answer whether they are affiliated with the local freedom fighters who claim they are patriots but are instead part of a misinformation campaign.

Since they won’t answer they should be judged on their records and you can certainly draw your own conclusions by watching their public comments at prior Board of Education meetings here.

They both spoke at the June 17th, May 20th, and April 22nd meetings. Ms. Philbin also spoke at the September 23rd meeting. Their comments and confrontational manner would only serve to create division on the Board. Ultimately, it is ironic that those that claim that teaching and learning has been politicized in our schools are the ones politicizing it.

Break this vicious cycle and join me by voting for people that are committed to working cooperatively and positively to support our students, teachers and the superintendent.

On election day please vote for Republican BOE candidates Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony and Cody Kittle as well as the two Democrat BOE candidates Kathleen Stowe and Laura Kostin.

-Peter D. Bernstein is Chair of the Greenwich Board of Education.