June 2023 Newsletter

Important News in Greenwich

We hope that everyone was able to spend time with family and friends on this recent Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is a day that is sacrosanct to all the brave soldiers who served and to the families of those who gave their lives so that we can live free in America. By honoring this nation’s war dead, we preserve their memory, and respectfully acknowledge their service and sacrifice.

Greenwich Republicans were honored to gather volunteers to perform Memorial Day flag ceremonies at all 15 of our public schools. Flags were raised by our volunteers in the morning, and immediately lowered to half-staff where they stayed until noon, in honor of Memorial Day. At noon the flags were raised fully, where they stood for the remainder of the day.

This flag ceremony honors the war dead in the morning (half-staff); then the flag is raised (to full-staff) at noon by the living, who “resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.” This custom is unique to Memorial Day, and Greenwich Republicans proudly provided this symbol of respect on all of our school grounds.

Memorial Day celebrations are a strong reminder to us that every generation has a duty and a responsibility to protect and preserve freedom for the next generation. On Memorial Day, it is our duty as citizens of this great nation to recognize the importance of this day and to not take for granted the freedoms that we as Americans all enjoy.

The buzz is fantastic for our upcoming Greenwich Republican Party! Buy your tickets while available!

Click on the image for more information and for the links to purchase tickets!

Bad Bills of Connecticut's Wild Wild Left

Op-Ed from Michael Spilo: Right-Size CMS (Greenwich Free Press)

The RTM at its May 8th budget meeting approved a final FY 2023-24 budget for the Town. The annual review and passage of the budget is the RTM’s most important function and responsibility. Town business postponed from consideration due to May’s budget-only agenda will be taken up at the June meeting. The total fixed and capital budget amount for FY 2023-24 is a record $580 million dollars. Our town budget has more than doubled over the last 20 years.

During the summer months of July and August the RTM does not meet unless there is urgent town business that needs to be addressed. A special meeting may be called by the Moderator if such a need arises.

The budget process starts over again in the Fall when the BET issues its annual budget guidelines letter. Town departments then submit their budget requests for the Selectman’s budget preparation.

Greenwich BOE makes national television news on Newsmax with Carl Higbie in this powerful segment from his program (Frontline) on May 24, 2023. Greenwich Board of Education member Karen Kowalski was a guest and shared her own frustrations with inappropriate materials in some Greenwich public school classrooms.

Carl Higbie with Karen Kowalski on Newsmax (Video)

Further op-eds highlighting recent school news:

GHS Ignores Parent Opt-Outs - K. Niemynski (Patch)

Greenwich Superintendent Ignores Parent Requests - D. Sinisi (GFP)

What is the Board of Education (BoE)?

The Board of Education (BoE) is the governing body of the entire Greenwich school district, and is charged with overseeing the District in accordance with the national standard for governance, oversight, public engagement and stewardship of the public education system.

The BoE consists of eight elected members each serving four year terms, with four members elected every two years.

The BoE chooses the school superintendent who is the board’s only employee. The current superintendent is Dr. Toni Jones. She may be reached at [email protected] or 203/625-7425.

The Greenwich Public Schools consist of eleven neighborhood elementary schools (K-5), three middle schools (6-8), and one high school (9-12) with an offsite alternative high school program. Students are assigned to elementary and middle schools based on residential attendance areas. Four of the elementary schools and one middle school also serve as magnet schools, offering programmatic choice for families (Hamilton Avenue School, The International School at Dundee, Julian Curtiss School, New Lebanon School and Western Middle School). A tuition and lottery-based preschool program is also offered for residents and employees of the Town of Greenwich.

Want to know more about the BoE goals for their community relations program...? Keep reading below!

Keep Reading

Stay Tuned In

There are several ways in which you can continue to learn and be informed of what is happening in Greenwich.

Greenwich TV (GCTV), which is operated mostly by volunteers, provides live broadcast coverage of various Town government meetings (such as First Selectman, RTM, Planning & Zoning, and BET meetings).

1. They are broadcast on Channel 79 (Cablevision/Altice) and Channel 24 (Verizon).

2. Greenwich Community TV on YouTube.

3. Greenwichtv.org - the GCTV website streams as well as rebroadcasts programming throughout the week and keeps extensive archives for easy viewing accessibility.

Connect & Learn

We will be hosting local coffees where we can gather, learn & discuss together. If you would like more information on upcoming coffees please sign up here: