Hundreds Expected

In anticipation of large turnout of a community that wants to voice its opinions on the circumstances surrounding the abrupt resignation of Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Sidney Freund, the Board of Education has moved its Thursday night meeting to a new location. And to accommodate that, the board may vote to postpone the originally agenda to accommodate public sentiment.

Board Chairman Steven Anderson announced Monday the meeting will now be held at 7 p.m. in the Greenwich High School auditorium. The auditorium can accommodate more than 800 people and has more parking available. Originally, the monthly board meeting was to have been held at Central Middle School where parking is limited and the auditorium seats about 600.

“We plan to adjust the agenda to allow for expanded public commentary,” Anderson said. “We will begin the meeting with student recognitions and organization comments; then move to the public hearing. Depending on the length of time necessary for public comment, the board will consider postponing agenda items until a subsequent meeting.”

In a stunning announcement on May 17, Freund made public his decision to quit by summer’s end. It was an ironic twist in that just days before, the board voted 6-2 to begin negotiations to extend Freund’s $230,000 a year, three-year contract by two years. Later in the week, Freund released a statement blaming the actions of two unnamed board members who stonewalled his efforts to improve student performance.

One of those efforts included expanding the controversial International Baccalaureate program to the middle school level and possibly into the underclass ranks of the high school.

Since his announcement blame has been laid at many doorsteps. Anderson said that both he and the board were guilty of not supporting Freund’s efforts in a civil, non-confrontational way.

"It’s the failure of the entire board. We need to figure out how to correct that,” Anderson said. Asked how the board can accomplish that, Anderson replied, “I don’t know obviously but we’re going to have to get tremendous focus. We cannot keep doing this our superintendents.”

The Greenwich school system has had eight superintendents in the past dozen years. Freund has been the district’s schools chief since 2009.

Anderson also said, “We hire smart people, put them in the job and we have to make sure that we the board and the community give them room to maneuver and to do the job we want them to do.”

Board member Nancy Kail has said, “we need to be more respectful, strictly pay by the rules and when board members deviate from those rules or behave in a way they shouldn’t. The rest of us have to call them out on it. Dissent is part of a democracy. You can’t undercut and go around what the majority says and that happened routinely.”

Anderson told Greenwich Patch Monday, “We will be getting the board fixed. … We all need a common understanding of what is broke and we’re not there yet, we haven’t had a chance to meet and discuss it.”

To get to that end, Anderson said he wants to give the public a chance air their opinions and for the board to listen. He said he believes the board will have a better sense of direction after listening to the public, which will be limited to three minutes per person.

Before opening the floor to comments, Anderson said, “I will be updating everybody on where everything stands” and board members also will have five minutes each to discuss their thoughts.”

He added, “I think there are more questions than answers … but if you look at the e-mail traffic, more people have answers than questions. Understanding that everyone’s tension and drama is running high, we need to be changing what needs to be changed and giving support where it needs to be given.”

Anderson also said, “We need to make sure the board’s job is to get the educational system running.”

Anderson said he has received more than 200 e-mails since Freund announced his resignation, most of which were also sent to the board.

A Greenwich parent started a Facebook page, 'Bring Back Dr. Sidney Freund,’ which had 749 followers early Tuesday, who all implored Freund to reconsider his decision. Anderson said Freund’s decision is final. In a Greenwich Patch poll, 104 said Freund should stay, 4 said he should leave and 3 were undecided.

And in an e-mail memo Sunday, the Greenwich Stamford Tea Party Patriots urged its supporters to attend Thursday’s meeting.

Before the 7 p.m. public meeting, the board is scheduled to hold an executive session to discuss how to replace Freund on an interim basis. Thursday’s meeting. Board member Peter Sherr will be traveling in Europe and has requested the board make telephone conference call arrangements to he can participate. Anderson said he is hopeful those arrangements can be made.

Freund has declined requests for interviews since his resignation.