John Weldon and Joe Sokolovic
Board of Education Chair John Weldon has resigned his seat following a maelstrom over the search for a new superintendent of schools and calls for his ouster from the Greater Bridgeport NAACP and the civic organization FaithActs for Education.
Weldon also butted heads with board member Joe Sokolovic over a series of issues boiling over to stripping Sokolovic from committee assignments.
Sokolovic has regularly criticized Weldon of back-room dealing, unnecessary closed door sessions and violations of freedom of information regulations.
Weldon, a Republican, was appointed to the board in 2016 by Mayor Joe Ganim to fill a vacancy. He then won two, four-year terms on his own to the board that requires minority-party representation.
The mayor has the authority to fill school board vacancies if the board does not act within 30 days of a resignation.
Weldon joined the board during a time of volatility involving members Dennis Bradley and Maria Pereira and then Jessica Martinez, as well as a revolving door of board chairs.
More from Richard Chumney, CT Post
John Weldon, the embattled chairperson of the Bridgeport Board of Education, who has faced mounting criticism over his handling of the district’s search for a new superintendent, has resigned.
Weldon resigned his seat in a letter Tuesday to school board members and city officials. The resignation was effective immediately, according to a copy of the letter obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media.
“My time on the Board has been an enlightening experience that I will always remember,” Weldon wrote in the brief one-paragraph letter. “I wish you all well as you move into the future.”
Weldon, a Republican, did not offer a reason for his resignation and did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the decision comes in the wake of a series of controversial board decisions involving the search to replace former Superintendent Michael Testani.
Full story here.
Wow. This is a pleasant surprise. After the last year of dealing with Chairmen Weldon’s growing abuse of power, I feel somewhat vindicated. Stripped of my committees for “combative emails”, daring to be one of the very few to challenge his continuous abuse of authority that grew out of control over the last year, culminating with the superintendent search process, which helped some on the board finally see for themselves what I’ve seen for the last year, it brought light to the public all that goes on behind closed doors and galvanized them to action.
That being said, I believe Mr. Weldon joined the board with the best of intentions and got lost somewhere along the way. I agree with his decision to resign from the board. I wish him the very best.
John Weldon,
With pandemic issues and fears abating in many places, people have been seeking normal in the locations where important information is available and leaders make critical decisions, The BOE is one such place, and the public has not found movement to a more OPEN, ACCOUNTABLE, TRANSPARENT and HONEST governance of late. Your resignation was prompted by multiple facts and feelings. Know that those you leave in that group will get to tackle the same issues with the same grace and respect, for the students, parents, taxpayers, and citizens of Bridgeport, shown by fellow BOE member, Joe Sokolovic. Time will tell.
Thank you sir for your kind words.
This is just like a Bobby Flay’s Throwdown!
Some of the board wants Pierogies, almighty kotlet schabowy, served with mashed potatoes and pickled cabbage soup!
The other Half wants Soul food Fried chicken with macaroni and cheese, collard greens, fried okra, and cornbread and Tortilla
The humble Spanish omelet with chorizo, peppers and onions, among other ingredients, but purists will tell you it should only contain potatoes and eggs.
The poor Board has been eating apizza Parmigiano-Reggiano, mozzarella, ricotta, gorgonzola, pecorino romano, mascarpone from from Italy.
Now it’s time to cleanse the pallet and let the board eat!