BOE Member Asked To Resign Over 'Distasteful' Social Media Posts

NAUGATUCK, CT — A Naugatuck Board of Education member has been asked to resign for sharing inappropriate pictures on social media nearly a decade ago.

In a statement sent to Patch, board member Aaron McCool admitted to reposting "several distasteful and inappropriate pictures" on the website Tumblr in 2014.

"This was wrong and I am sorry for my past behavior," McCool said, "however this does not reflect who I am today."

Board of Education Chair Jeff Litke said in a statement Friday he was recently made aware of these social media posts made by McCool and denounced them.

"I found these posts to be reprehensible, concerning and alarming, and something that I take extremely seriously," Litke said. "These posts are not representative of Naugatuck and the values that we stand for."

In a letter to borough officials, members of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Education Committee referred to the images as "incredibly inappropriate."

"[McCool] 'reblogged' memes of young girls with the phrase 'jail bait' and a young cheerleader wearing garnet and gray with her mouth taped shut and her hands and feet tied together," the letter reads. "He did this as a grown man. Reposting images such as the ones on his feed calls into question his character."

Litke said he and board Vice Chair Marilyn O'Donnell met with McCool this week and asked for him to resign, however McCool said in his statement he does not plan to do so. He also accused Litke of blackmailing him.

"During a meeting, [Litke] said if I didn't resign immediately this information would go public...in 2022, blackmail by a board chair, HR generalist for the town of Stratford and someone who is seeking election this year as a state representative is not the leadership Naugatuck needs, nor is it ethical for someone who is running for state office," McCool said.

McCool also emphasized he does not believe these past actions reflect his character and values today.

"We have all made mistakes," McCool said. "I am disgusted that Jeff Litke chose to use blackmail as a political tactic to try to cancel an opposing voice. A voice that speaks up for the everyday citizen of Naugatuck."

Litke said he was well aware of concerns from parents and community members about the posts and noted he shared their concerns.

"I urge my fellow community leaders to denounce these posts and call on Mr. McCool to resign," Litke said, "and not distract from the important work that we do to educate our students."

Naugatuck police said in an email they were contacted about the matter and are currently investigating it.

In their letter, DEI Education Committee members called on borough officials to revoke McCool's access to all Naugatuck Public Schools facilities while the investigation is pending.

"We understand that everyone is entitled to due process and the ability to defend themselves," the letter reads, "but in the meantime, he has lost the trust of many parents. He should have zero access to any facility that holds summer school programs."

McCool was elected to the Board of Education last year. He noted he was proud of the work he is doing as an elected official of Naugatuck.

"I will continue to fight for the citizens and students in our community," McCool said.