School Board Eruption Between Pereira And Taylor–Charges, Counter Charges

A battle over school finances and board policies has erupted into a hostile exchange between Board of Education members Maria Pereira and Chris Taylor. School board conflicts are not new among members, some in open session and some private but the private tone between Pereira and Taylor has become intensely personal that they’re willing to air out publicly. Pereira sent OIB a commentary spelling out her grievances with Taylor who admits to some inflammatory remarks but asserts Pereira gives as good as she gets. Pereira is super passionate, unafraid to express a point of view. Taylor, often full of frivolity, fires back against Pereira’s assertions. What follows is Pereira’s commentary in full followed by Taylor’s rejoinders in bold. The language is not for the faint of heart.

On Monday, June 11, 2018, members of the Board of Education reached a new low. I didn’t think that any board member’s conduct could be worse than Kenneth Moales. I was absolutely wrong.

From the onset of the meeting, Chris Taylor had the gall to make a motion that only two board members from each side of an issue could speak on any given agenda item, and that no member could speak for more than two times and/or two minutes.

This was an illegal attempt to disenfranchise elected board members from speaking on any matter they so choose. Every board member has a right to speak on EVERY agenda item.

It was clear that at least five (5) board members had met in advance of the regular meeting to craft motions and assign motions to each other. This is a significant violation of the Freedom of Information Act.

Public Comment arrived where the public has the right to address the Board for up to two (2) minutes. JoAnn Kennedy addressed the six (6) machine board members and criticized their conduct. Jessica Martinez started talking back to JoAnn in violation of board policy. John Weldon tried to reprimand JoAnn Kennedy although our own attorney already shared that our policy attempting to control the content of a speaker’s free speech is unconstitutional. JoAnn completed her comments and then Ms. Martinez continued to address her while JoAnn was seated in the front row. Our policy specifically states that board members may not respond to public comment. John Weldon did not uphold our policy. Members have the right to praise or criticize any public official they so choose. If you can’t handle your critics you probably shouldn’t be a public official.

I placed an item on the agenda regarding the limits of authority of Chair Weldon, individual board members and the BOE as a body as it related to giving direction to the Superintendent. Robert’s Rules of Order requires that the individual who brings forth an item be called on first. Chair Weldon had clearly pre-planned that he would call on Jessica Martinez. Ms. Martinez made a completely invalid motion which was “I make a motion that no action be taken on this agenda item.” Some board members cannot prohibit other board members from making motions on agenda items. This is not lawful or allowed in Robert’s Rules of Order. It was simply idiotic.

Chris Taylor is Chair of the Facilities Committee and placed allocating $3,500 to establish a Freshman Harding Football team. This agenda item has absolutely nothing to do with facilities and was inappropriately placed on his committee agenda. I attending his meeting and repeatedly requested to be acknowledged and he stated “I am refusing to acknowledge Ms. Pereira” which is a violation of board policy.

Chris Taylor did not consult with the Harding Principal, Athletic Director or Dr. Johnson before placing this item on the agenda. The goal is to add 40-44 freshman players for a total cost of $3,500. No cost analysis was provided or requested although football is the most expensive sport in the district with an average cost of over $700 per player. The cost of transporting 44 additional players would require an additional bus. You do the math.

The Athletic Director spoke against the addition citing the inequity this would create in the District. What about Bassick and Central High School? What about all the other sports programs that had no JV teams? He was absolutely professional and courteous at all times. Chris Taylor responded with threatening his employment. You could hear the gasps from the audience and staff who looked stunned. John Weldon did nothing. I called a Point-of-Order and immediately stated this unprofessional behavior was unacceptable and that Chris Taylor just threatened a staff member. John Weldon did not reprimand Chris Taylor one iota.

A motion was added and made to rescind the vote to eliminate 6 assistant principals. This also passed 6 to 3. We still need to cut over $2,000,000 by June 30th, and these six (6) board members added the assistant principals back and the $3,500 for Harding football which added over $400,000 to next year’s deficit.

I normally take a former parent home after our regular meetings. I thought she was behind me as I entered the vestibule. As I passed Chris Taylor and Hernan Illingworth who were engaged in conversation to my left, I stated “we need to elect new board members.”

At this point Chris Taylor starts to walk behind me as I exit the school. He states “go fuck yourself you fat bitch.” I turned back and stated “I know you aren’t talking about anyone else being fat.” As I turned to leave he stated “fuck you and your Dutch boy haircut.” I just walked directly to my car.

Two weeks ago Chris Taylor sent me an email stating “don’t get your panties in a bunch” which is sexist offensive and highly inappropriate.

Two weeks prior to that he asked me “if I wasn’t in a relationship, and you weren’t in a relationship; do you think we could be in a relationship?” I stated “never,” turned on my heel and walked away. Chris Taylor has no boundaries and consistently demonstrates completely inappropriate and unhinged behavior.

Staff morale is at an all-time low and several have told me they are seeking other employment. The staff absolutely despises Chris Taylor and there is little respect for John Weldon and his allies.

As two staff people told me today, we know which board members care about our students, do their homework, are prepared to debate critical items and conduct themselves professionally.  Clearly, they were not referencing John Weldon, Chris Taylor, Hernan Illingworth, Jessica Martinez, Dennis Bradley and Sybil Allen.

Taylor responds to Pereira’s commentary in bold:

On Monday, June 11, 2018, members of the Board of Education reached a new low. I didn’t think that any board member’s conduct could be worse than Kenneth Moales. I was absolutely wrong.

First Kenneth Moales recently lost his Mother to drag him in this is uncalled for and disrespectful. Second Kenneth attended Morehouse and Yale Divinity School. That’s Impressive to me.

From the onset of the meeting, Chris Taylor had the gall to make a motion that only two board members from each side of an issue could speak on any given agenda item, and that no member could speak for more than two times and/or two minutes.

This statement is correct. Certain members dominate the meeting and are repetitive. The meetings run far too long and other members are not considerate of others’ time. I feel it is/was appropriate and hope to include such language in the new bylaws.

This was an illegal attempt to disenfranchise elected board members from speaking on any matter they so choose. Every board member has a right to speak on EVERY agenda item.

It was clear that at least five (5) board members had met in advance of the regular meeting to craft motions and assign motions to each other. This is a significant violation of the Freedom of Information Act.

Once again this is a misrepresentation of fact.

Public Comment arrived where the public has the right to address the Board for up to two (2) minutes. JoAnn Kennedy addressed the six (6) machine board members and criticized their conduct. Jessica Martinez started talking back to JoAnn in violation of board policy. John Weldon tried to reprimand JoAnn Kennedy although our own attorney already shared that our policy attempting to control the content of a speaker’s free speech is unconstitutional. JoAnn completed her comments and then Ms. Martinez continued to address her while JoAnn was seated in the front row. Our policy specifically states that board members may not respond to public comment. John Weldon did not uphold our policy. Members have the right to praise or criticize and public official they so choose. If you can’t handle your critics you probably shouldn’t be a public official.

I placed an item on the agenda regarding the limits of authority of Chair Weldon, individual board members and the BOE as a body as it related to giving direction to the Superintendent. Robert’s Rules of Order requires that the individual who brings forth an item be called on first. Chair Weldon had clearly pre-planned that he would call on Jessica Martinez. Ms. Martinez made a completely invalid motion which was “I make a motion that no action be taken on this agenda item.” Some board members cannot prohibit other board members from making motions on agenda items. This is not lawful or allowed in Robert’s Rules of Order. It was simply idiotic.

Chris Taylor is Chair of the Facilities Committee and placed allocating $3,500 to establish a Freshman Harding Football team. This agenda item has absolutely nothing to do with facilities and was inappropriately placed on his committee agenda. I attending his meeting and repeatedly requested to be acknowledged and he stated “I am refusing to acknowledge Ms. Pereira” which is a violation of board policy.

This is correct. The item was mistakenly placed on the Facilities Agenda. Let me be clear. I will not acknowledge Ms Pereira in/at any meeting I Chair. Ms Pereira has chosen to defame me at the Galaxy Diner to others I have never met. Because I disagree with Ms Pereira’s views on the Superintendant Ms Pereira became abusive. The ironic part is days earlier we were having lunch together with (education activist) Michael Giannotti at Vinnie’s Restaurant.

Chris Taylor did not consult with the Harding Principal, Athletic Director or Dr. Johnson before placing this item on the agenda. The goal is to add 40-44 freshman players for a total cost of $3,500. No cost analysis was provided or requested although football is the most expensive sport in the district with an average cost of over $700 per player. The cost of transporting 44 additional players would require an additional bus. You do the math.

I consulted with Coach Santiago and Retired Bridgeport Detective Harold Dimbo and other community members. Yes you do the math. It’s a bargain.

The Athletic Director spoke against the addition citing the inequity this would create in the District. What about Bassick and Central High School? What about all the other sports programs that had no JV teams? He was absolutely professional and courteous at all times. Chris Taylor responded with threatening his employment. You could hear the gasps from the audience and staff who looked stunned. John Weldon did nothing. I called a Point-of-Order and immediately stated this unprofessional behavior was unacceptable and that Chris Taylor just threatened a staff member. John Weldon did not reprimand Chris Taylor one iota.

Another, misrepresentation of fact. His job had already been cut. I am tired of people who don’t live in the community or care about our students telling me we can’t!!!!!!!!! We can and we did. Central and Bassick are next.

A motion was added and made to rescind the vote to eliminate 6 assistant principals. This also passed 6 to 3. We still need to cut over $2,000,000 by June 30th, and these six (6) board members added the assistant principals back and the $3,500 for Harding football which added over $400,000 to next year’s deficit.

I normally take a former parent home after our regular meetings. I thought she was behind me as I entered the vestibule. As I passed Chris Taylor and Hernan Illingworth who were engaged in conversation to my left, I stated “we need to elect new board members.”

At this point Chris Taylor starts to walk behind me as I exit the school. He states “go fuck yourself you fat bitch.” I turned back and stated “I know you aren’t talking about anyone else being fat.” As I turned to leave he stated “fuck you and your Dutch boy haircut.” I just walked directly to my car.

Two weeks ago Chris Taylor sent me an email stating “don’t get your panties in a bunch” which is sexist offensive and highly inappropriate.

This is correct. I responded only after Ms Pereria called me a C**K S****R and other names. (Editor’s note: Pereira says “this is an absolute lie.”) I meant every word I said and I said them all in private to Ms Pereria.

Two weeks prior to that he asked me “if I wasn’t in a relationship, and you weren’t in a relationship; do you think we could be in a relationship?” I stated “never,” turned on my heel and walked away. Chris Taylor has no boundaries and consistently demonstrates completely inappropriate and unhinged behavior.

Wow. I have never found Ms Pereria attractive mentally or physically.

Staff morale is at an all-time low and several have told me they are seeking other employment. The staff absolutely despises Chris Taylor and there is little respect for John Weldon and his allies.

As two staff people told me today, we know which board members care about our students, do their homework, are prepared to debate critical items and conduct themselves professionally.  Clearly, they were not referencing John Weldon, Chris Taylor, Hernan Illingworth, Jessica Martinez, Dennis Bradley and Sybil Allen.

Sounds like sour grapes to me.