Updated: Rocky Start For New Board

Correction:  A previous version of this story stated that Midgalia Rivas was Chair of the Policy Committee.  In fact, Ms. Rivas was a member of the the policy and curriculum committee. Susan Hamilton was the previous chair of the policy committee.  In addition,  Ms. Hamilton commented on Janie Friedlander's resignation; she did not "announce" it as previously reported.


Community tensions that had been building since the Board of Education’s elections two weeks ago burst into the open as four new BOE members were sworn in at tonight’s meeting. Existing Democrat Board members and newcomers clashed repeatedly over committee assignments and procedural matters. 

About 75 people crammed into a meeting room at Norwalk City Hall. Prominent among the crowd was an organized contingent from the city’s African American community which had lost three of its members from the previous board.

During the public comments section Amanda Brown, who lost a seat herself on the Norwalk Common Council, told the new BOE members that she had concerns about the composition of the board because with the exception of Migdalia Rivas, who is Hispanic, the rest of the board is White.

“Diversity is not being celebrated in Norwalk,” she said. “It’s being used as a weapon to divide us, and what divides us makes us weak.” Ms. Brown recommended that the new board members undergo sensitivity training because she believed that their backgrounds did not prepare them to understand the life-long discrimination experienced by Black people.

Richard Fuller, a former member of the BOE, also spoke about the lack of diversity on the new board. He told the board that a parent coalition called the “Board Watchers” had been formed.  They would be present at most board meetings and would monitor the board to ensure that the needs of minority students were being met.

Lauren Rosato, Executive Director of the Norwalk Education Foundation also addressed the board and presented a summary report about the Community Conversation held last month at Norwalk Community College.  NEF is also taping BOE meetings and airing them on Channel 78 (I’ll find out the time.)

As a result of the three of the Republican-endorsed Parents Not Politicians candidates being elected, the balance of power on the BOE has shifted. The Republicans used their new majority to select existing board member Glenn Iannaccone as the new Chairman of the BOE and Jack Chiaramonte as Vice-Chair.  Susan Hamilton was voted in as Secretary.

Early in the meeting, Mr. Colarossi questioned a $5,000 budget transfer request from West Rocks Middle School to cover expenses related to the use of paper supplies which he said seemed excessive.   Lynn Moore, Principal of West Rocks and Dan Cook, CFO were asked to clarify the expense. 

Ms. Rivas remarked that questions about the specifics of budget items should be brought up with the Director of Finance before the board meeting.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan added that because of the difficult budget reconciliation the Board should expect additional budget transfers. 

Mr. Colarossi also made a motion to amend the agenda to add a discussion about an e-mail he had circulated to board members in the afternoon.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan, said that unless the issue was time sensitive the general procedure that the board followed was not to introduce items at the meetings because neither the public nor board members would have had time to evaluate the issue. Mr. Colarossi withdrew his motion and said that the Board can revisit the issue at a later meeting.

In the same discussion Ms. Rivas remarked that it was inappropriate for board communications to take place by e-mail and rebuked Mr. Colarossi for his attempt to add an item to the agenda at the last minute.

Prior to the committee reports, Mr. Iannacone announced that the Committee chairs would also be changing. Henceforth the Finance and Policy Committees would be headed by Steve Colarossi, the Negotiating Committee would be led by Jack Chiaramonte, and the Curriculum Committee would be directed by Sue Haynie. Committee members had not been assigned.

The news of the changing roles seemed to catch the Democrats off guard. Ms. Rivas, who had been the on the Policy and Curriculum committees complained that she was being purposely “excluded” and not being “given respect.” She said she was on the Board to represent the needs of District B (South Norwalk), a community about which she said she is "passionate."

“Like you were doing such a great job,” responded Mr. Iannacone who was not aware that Ms. Rivas was on the policy committee.

The repeated back and forth among the BOE members and interruptions from the audience raised the ire of Mr. Chiaramonte who exclaimed,  “The bickering ends here and now.“

The fraught meeting actually started off on a positive note when Dr. Papallo congratulated Jefferson and Silvermine Schools for receiving that Lone Pine Award for Academic Gain.  Principals from both the schools received a standing ovation from the Board. 

Dr. Papallo also gave an update on the superintendent search.  The focus groups conducted by the search firm have concluded although Dr. Papallo suggested that there maybe another one.  He said that the next 3-4 weeks are a waiting time for the consultants to field candidates.  The Board should be ready to interview candidates by mid-December according to Dr. Papallo. 

In other updates, Ms. Hamilton commented on the resignation of Janie Friedlander, Director of Special Education. Ms. Friedlander submitted her resignation in October and will continue to work until April 30th.

Mr. Iannacone said that the $50,000 for the elementary facility/expansion study was approved by the city.

In a final comment, Mr. Chiaramonte said that Board should act as an apolitical body with only the taxpayers and children of Norwalk in mind.  He said he was offended by the “circus” and that he cares about “each and every child in Norwalk.”