Armed with a court ruling that he can appoint school board members to fill vacancies if the Board of Education does not act within 30 days, Mayor Joe Ganim may once again take executive action with the one-month resignation of Republican Kevin McSpirit on the horizon next week. If that happens Ganim will have appointed one-third of the nine-member body in less than four months.
Ganim appointed Annette Segarra-Negron to replace Dave Hennessey and Rafael Fonseca to fill out the term of Andre Baker. On Monday Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis upheld Ganim’s authority that had been challenged by board member Maria Pereira who is weighing an appeal of the court’s decision.
Hours after Bellis issued her decision from the bench, three school board members (see video above), Pereira, Howard Gardner and Ben Walker who had called for a special meeting per state statute arrived at Geraldine Johnson School. Per Robert’s Rules of Order and board policy, they adjourned the special meeting by posting a notice at the location of the originally scheduled meeting. It was signed by the highest ranking officer present, Ben Walker, who serves as secretary. As Pereira approached the school entrance, a custodian, security guard and police officer, according to Pereira, locked the main entrance denying board members, all of whom had identification, from entering the building. Although a quorum was not at hand they had intended to meet to discuss school business. The board members say there’s no prohibition on them meeting to discuss school business if there’s no quorum.
McSpirit’s replacement must be a Republican and the deadline to submit an application is today (Thursday) at 5pm.
Although pleased with Bellis’ decision Ganim says he’s not pining to fill school board vacancies, but continues to do so to maintain a full board to conduct business. But conducting business has been a rare occurrence lately following the announcement by Chair Dennis Bradley that he will boycott selective meetings until Pereira resigns (she’s not resigning). Others have followed his lead. Bradley has been attending some special board meetings with a selective agenda that he controls. So if the board does not agree on McSpirit’s replacement soon, Ganim can fill the vacancy.
Ganim’s appointments are key to Bradley continuing as chair. The board’s annual organizational meeting will take place the first week of December. Pereira, Walker, Gardner and Sauda Baraka vote in a bloc on a number of issues. That leaves Bradley, Segarra-Negron, Fonseca and Joe Larcheveque to fill out the current eight members. So the next member is a key swing vote.
How about 2012 election results by precinct, Lennie?
What happens in the event of a tie vote?
A former City Council President must fill the vacancy whether she wants to or not.
CONGRATULATIONS, LISA!!!
Bubba, that was an LOL. I tried to call you yesterday. Update!
The boycotters will drag their feet until Ganim finds another bootlick Republicrat.
Jimfox, you are not only incredibly witty; you are incredibly perceptive.
I was out all morning getting the last of the ABs I needed to pick. I went to four different homes to have five different voters sign their AB applications.
Every single one referenced they had seen me on Channel 12 News or the CT Post or both. I asked every single one of them if they had any concerns or questions regarding what had been occurring. Not one of them expressed concern or doubt. Every single person told me to keep up the fight and they were with me.
All five of them said they would never vote for Joe Ganim again. One also complained Nessah Smith promised to have her curb fixed when she knocked on her door but she hasn’t seen or heard from her since.
ALL politicians must be held accountable for their word. If they lie you NEVER vote for them again. Period.
Will Ganim Name Another School Board Member? Of course he will.
I just arrived at 45 Lyon Terrace for a Special Meeting. The rally for Rabinowitz had the speaker and three adults. One of the adults is a charter $chool parent paid by Families for Ex$ellent $chools with ties to FaithAct$ for Education. The rally is being held in the Wheeler Room. They even brought in an oversized speaker.
I am completely overwhelmed with the massive support for Ms. Rabinowitz.
Yes, I am being facetious.
Maybe it’s best if he does.
If Maria decides to challenge the court decision, it makes a more compelling case to demonstrate that by manipulating the process through their dysfunction the state is allowing the mayor to appoint a significant number of individuals to the BOE, which is supposed to be an elected board. The public spoke when given the chance to have an appointed board and they rejected the concept outright.
Ummm, very perceptive, Bubba!
Maria and Bob,
Ganim has been “Jonesing” for control for a while. If he were being truthful about not “wanting” to take control of the BOE he would appoint “interim” BOE Members. Even if he can legally appoint, does it pass the ethical and moral fiber test? That is where the opinion (poll) of constituents matters. If the Judge does not write a decision leaning in this direction, prepare to fight on those grounds.