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GREENWICH, CT — In anticipation of the upcoming Central Middle School community forum in which preliminary concepts for a new CMS are expected to be shared, flyers about the project were distributed by two Republican Town Committee members outside of the school during Monday morning drop-off.
The distribution caused “disruptive traffic issues and confusion for families who were dropping off their children,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Toni Jones said in an email to families and staff. Some students were even late to class as a result, Jones noted.
The flyers made note of the CMS project’s scope, size and price, and asked, “Why do town Democrats want to supersize” a new school while enrollment is declining?
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On one side, the flyer says to keep Greenwich sustainable and affordable.
“Empty spaces in buildings waste energy,” the flyer reads. “Greenwich taxpayers are footing about 95 percent of the bill.”
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There is a reminder about the community forum that’s scheduled for May 17.
Jones also sent a letter to Democratic Town Committee Chair Joe Angland and RTC Chair Beth MacGillivray about the flyer distribution.
“I would like to respectfully request that you remind individuals that our schools are places of learning, and causing disruption in any way is not healthy or safe,” Jones said. “This activity caused the administrator of the building to turn his attention away from his normal operations to monitor activity at the entrance of this school site.”
Jones cited GPS policy 1211.2, Political Activities in the Schools.
The policy specifically addresses the prohibition of political activities on school grounds during school hours or during school activities unless the political event is of an educational nature.
According to the policy:
“As you may be aware, CMS will be one of the largest schools constructed in Greenwich, which is an exciting development for our community,” MacGillivray said in an emailed statement to Patch. “The Greenwich Republicans were actively promoting this news and encouraging parents to participate in the upcoming meeting on May 17… They were careful to remain on public property, avoid disrupting traffic, and adhere to the school’s guidelines, as confirmed by a school official. The flyers were handed out at a stop sign after dropping children on the roadside, during the morning drop-off period around 8 a.m.”
MacGillivray said she was “dismayed and disappointed” by Jones’ email to families.
“It is disheartening to see her falsely claim existence of disruptive traffic issues and confusion for families. Her email falls short of professionalism one would expect from our superintendent of schools. Toni Jones resorts to rash reactions without verifying the facts,” MacGillivray said.
“It is worth noting that the stop sign is located at the exit, which raises questions about how it could cause disruption during drop-off. Her own official at CMS greeted and permitted distribution to interested individuals. As someone who holds the superintendent to a higher standard, I anticipated a response grounded in accurate information,” MacGillivray continued.
GPS spokesperson Jonathan Supranowitz reiterated to Patch that the school district received multiple emails from parents saying that traffic was disrupted, hence the communication to both parties and CMS families and staff.
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“Our regulations clearly state: ‘Literature should not be handed out as students and staff enter or exit the school,'” Supranowitz said.
The Greenwich Time reported that the Greenwich Police Department received one complaint Monday morning, and the department sent a patrol car to CMS but they did not locate anyone or identify a traffic issue.
Jones told Angland and MacGillivray that another reminder about district policy will be sent out in September when school is back in session ahead of the November election.
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