After Resignation, Allegations, No Fireworks at Wainscott BOE Meeting

Cars honked and neighbors waved as Elisha Osborn and Marianne Ward posed for a photograph Wednesday evening in front of the Wainscott farmhouse Osborn's grandfather built in 1910, on land the family has owned for 300 years.

Osborn and Ward had just returned from a Wainscott School Board meeting, but due to the ongoing dispute over their children's residency status and their right to attend the school, they preferred not to have their photo taken on school grounds. Standing in front of Osborn's home, three doors away from the school was, they believed, a good way to show their proximity and support their argument that their two children are Wainscott residents who are entitled to attend the district public school.

Two weeks prior, Osborn's mother, Iris, , saying she could no longer serve on the board.

At issue was the residency status of the Osborn's two grandchildren, who, according to the parents, divide their time between their mother’s home in Springs and their father’s Wainscott residence.

Because of the Osborn's history in Wainscott and Iris Osborn's role on the Board of Education, a conflict that may normally take place between a family and school district has expanded into into the public eye.

But no fireworks went off Wednesday night. Board President Nancy McCaffrey told the public that because of the proximity to a mid-May budget vote, Osborn's vacant seat on the school board will remain open until then, at which point candidates for the seat will be on the ballot.

Neither Osborn or Ward spoke during the meeting, at the advice of legal counsel.

Rosemarie Barone asked about Iris Osborn's vacant seat and the issue of "choice of school districts."

"The discussion of choice today is moot," responded Board Member David Eagan, one of two remaining school board members. He then offered a detailed explanation, outlining Wainscott's contractual obligation to the East Hampton School District and the potential consequence of breaching the contract.

"I am not dismissing your concerns," Eagan said, "I am just putting them in a proper light."

"There has been press regarding the residency issue," said Superintendent Stuart Rachlin. "We are limited in what we are allowed to say. I invited counsel to be present this evening in case there are questions regarding the residency issue, so that he could address them."

When Osborn and Ward remained silent, the board moved on to a regular meeting.