Gaslighting Transparency: A Board Member’s Fight for Answers

Last night, I attended yet another Board of Education training—this time labeled a “special meeting.” At this point, the repetition alone raises questions. Just weeks ago, I spent a full day in East Hartford in an intensive training covering these same topics in far greater depth. I also voluntarily attended a regional FOIA training because I take my responsibilities to the public seriously. So how, exactly, did this special meeting come about? That remains unanswered. The only thing I do know for sure, it popped up after I started asking several legal questions.

What is clear is why I began asking questions.

After completing extensive training, I noticed troubling gaps between what the law clearly states and what we, as a board, have been doing in practice. I raised these questions privately and was invited to meet one-on-one to get answers. I promptly responded with full availability—only to be met with silence. Instead of a private meeting, a “special session” with the board’s attorney was scheduled. That decision felt intentional, and frankly, offensive.

We were told this meeting was meant to address my questions. It did not. Most were dismissed, deflected, or left unanswered. I still have two full pages of unresolved legal questions. What’s more concerning is that the only apparent path to answers now seems to be behind closed doors, under attorney-client privilege—shielded from the very public we are obligated to serve. When transparency is avoided, it naturally raises concerns about whether certain practices would withstand public scrutiny.

To be clear, credit where it’s due: our Superintendent has been exceptional. In under a month, he and his staff have already made meaningful progress toward FOIA compliance—improving public postings, accessibility, and clarity. That effort is appreciated and necessary.

Much of the confusion stems from committee meetings. I learned through training that Board of Education committee meetings are not only open to board members—they are open to the public and subject to FOIA. That means public notice, agendas, and timely minutes are required. When I could not locate public notices for these meetings, I asked why. Instead of an answer, I was simply told when my assigned committee meetings were held—information I already had. That response missed the point entirely.

I was also told that if notices weren’t posted publicly, it was the town clerk’s responsibility—not the board’s. I was told that the town clerk receives all notices and that is what we are legally obligated to do. That answer is unacceptable. Transparency is a shared obligation, not a technicality to hide behind. Especially when we already maintain a separate Board of Education website where regular meetings are posted—making it even more reasonable to expect committee meetings to be posted there as well. I was happy to see our first selectwoman in the audience who offered some clarification to our board's chair that the town's website links back directly to our board website located on the school's website, therefore, they are NOT the posting place for our meetings. Thankfully, this is now being corrected, but it should never have been an issue to begin with.

I also raised serious concerns about executive sessions. Connecticut law allows executive sessions only for very limited purposes. During my campaign—and even before I was sworn in—there were multiple occasions where the public was dismissed for executive sessions. Later, I was told that topics discussed privately were now being presented publicly, including discussions about tuitioning students from a specific neighboring town and conversations involving a local school closure or merger possibility.

At this training, the attorney would not clearly answer whether those topics were permissible for executive session discussion. My own research—and extensive training—suggests they were not. When I asked what a citizen should do if they believe executive sessions are being misused, the response was hesitant and repeatedly framed as “FOIA shouldn’t be used as a weapon.” I never suggested it should be. FOIA is not a weapon—it is the law. It exists to protect taxpayers and prevent abuse of authority.

Finally, I raised a question about a flyer distributed to parents last year—sent home in backpacks, posted publicly, and displayed during budget voting. The flyer outlined consequences students would face if the budget failed. It bore the Board of Education’s name. I asked a simple question: was this legal? The attorney refused to even look at it unless directed by the full board, despite stating the session was meant to be interactive and educational. After more than two hours, it became clear that answering hard questions—especially from a new board member—was not the priority.

Transparency cannot be conditional. Respect cannot be selective. And accountability cannot exist only when leadership decides it’s convenient.

I will not stop asking questions. The public deserves clear answers, open meetings, and lawful governance. If you don’t pay attention, decisions can—and will—be made behind closed doors. That is exactly why I will continue to speak up, demand clarity, and stand firmly on the side of the law and the people it was designed to protect.

Below, you can listen to audio from the public meeting if you weren’t able to attend. I encourage you to hear firsthand the frustration that comes from asking reasonable questions and receiving anything but reasonable answers.

Transparency should never have to be fought for—but here we are.

VIEW NOVEMBER 19TH PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES, REFERRING TO TUITIONING COSTS FOR A NEIGHBORING SCHOOL HERE:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EuCX9K15C411DWNqD80smbg-IDVMmXBa/view

LISTEN TO THE FULL AUDIO OF MY QUESTIONS REGARDING ATTENDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS & THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SHARING THAT INFO WITH THE PUBLIC HERE:

LISTEN TO THE FULL AUDIO WHERE I ASK ABOUT USING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS TO DISCUSS SCHOOL MERGERS AS WELL AS USING FLYERS TO SCARE PARENTS INTO PASSING A BUDGET VOTE HERE:

Disclaimer: This blog is written in my personal capacity and reflects my own opinions, interpretations, and concerns regarding public governance and transparency. It does not disclose confidential or privileged information and does not represent an official position of the Board of Education or the Town.