To the Editor:
The Freedom of Information Commission’s unanimous ruling last week confirms what many in our community already suspected: the Greenwich Board of Education’s October 21, 2024 meeting was held in violation of state law. The attempted appointment made that day has been declared null and void. The Commission’s decision is not just a procedural rebuke—it is a reminder that transparency in public service is not optional.
First Selectman Fred Camillo put it plainly in his statement: “Yesterday, the Freedom of Information Commission unanimously ruled that the Board of Education’s October 21, 2024 meeting was illegal and that the appointment they tried to make that day was null and void. I sincerely hope that these members LETTER who the commission found violated state law will pledge to abide by that law in the future and avoid putting the town through this unnecessary process again.”
This ruling should prompt deep reflection among the Board’s leadership. The FOI laws exist to ensure accountability, trust, and openness in government—values that form the foundation of a functioning democracy. When those principles are ignored, whether through carelessness or arrogance, the public loses faith in its institutions.
It is unacceptable for any elected body— least of all one entrusted with the education of our children—to operate in secret or sidestep rules designed to protect the public’s right to know. The law was not ambiguous here; the Commission’s decision was unanimous. That fact alone should lead to humility, not defiance.
The path forward requires contrition and correction. The Board of Education owes the residents of Greenwich an apology for this lapse in judgment and a public assurance that such violations will not happen again. Leadership is not only about decisions made behind the dais; it is about owning mistakes, respecting the process, and rebuilding trust when it has been eroded.
The members who violated the law have a choice: to view this ruling as a personal embarrassment or as an opportunity to restore integrity to their service. The community should expect—and demand—the latter.
Marcus Vale
