New Haven BOE Meeting Ends With Duel Threat: Report

NEW HAVEN, CT — A Board of Education meeting held to select the city's next superintendent ended in a near-fight with one member challenging another to a duel at Bowen Field Monday night.

In the end the board voted 4-3 to hire Dr. Carol Birks as the new superintendent. Birks wasn't at the meeting.

"I am aware of the emotional display at Monday’s Board of Education meeting, but I see it as an opportunity to listen, learn and empower us to build inclusive partnerships for all of our learners," she said in a statement.

Chairman Ed Joyner made accusations about member Darnell Goldson in the final minutes of the meeting, according to the New Haven Independent. Goldson threatened to sue him and Joyner said the two should have a duel at Bowen Field.

Police at the scene separated the two men. Mayor Toni Harp who was at the meeting called on both men to apologize to the public for their raucous behavior.

More than two dozen people spoke at the Board of Education meeting and more than 1,000 signed a petition opposing Birks being appointed superintendent, according to the New Haven Register.

Birks still needs to negotiate with the school system on a contract.

Birks comes to New Haven after being the chief of staff at Hartford Public Schools, according to her biography. She was also an assistant superintendent for instructional leadership in the Hartford district. She holds her doctorate in educational leadership from Columbia University Teachers College. Prior to her administrative roles she served as a language arts teacher in Bridgeport.