School board unable to fill vacancies

MARIA PEREIRA

With the Bridgeport Board of Education reeling in turmoil from attempting to replace a board member who recently resigned, the sitting seven members now are faced with resignation of Democrat Andre Baker.

Baker, who submitted his letter of resignation shortly after winning his second term in the state legislature as State Representative in the 124th District, had held both offices since his election in 2014.

“This is a guy who should have resigned from the Board of Ed two years ago,” said community activist Charlie Coviello who lost to Baker in the August 9th Democratic primary. “He has held two elected positions for no reason. Andre Baker could care less about the city of Bridgeport and the East End neighborhood in particular.”

Applications for Baker’s seat are being accepted through Friday, Sept. 2, at noon. Only registered Democrats are legally able to fill the vacancy.

The most recent, among many, battle on the Park City Board of Ed involves filling the seat of former member Dave Hennessey, who resigned earlier this year. When he was elected, Hennessey was a Democratic, but during his term he switched party affiliations and became a Republican.

Mayor Joseph P. Ganim appointed a Republican, Annette Segarra-Negron to fill Hennessey’s spot. This sent many members of the Board into a frenzy, which culminated in the hysterics of Monday night’s meeting.

Board member Maria Pereira, who followed up her ill-fated attempt to take control of the Democratic Town Committee by being trounced by incumbent Charles Stallworth in the State rep Democratic primary in the 126th District, hijacked the meeting in an attempt to derail Segarra-Negron’s appointment.

Pereira, who believes Hennessey’s seat should go to a Democrat, is filing a lawsuit challenging Ganim’s authority to appoint a replacement. Pereira has sued the Board of Education on multiple occasions so observers were not surprised by her threats.

“To me it’s simple,” explained Coviello. “Hennessey was elected as a democrat, so therefore that seat on the Board of Education belongs to a Democrat. We are not talking about rocket science here.”

Monday’s meeting was highlighted by a shouting match between Pereira, City Attorney Mark Anastasi and Board of Ed Chair Dennis Bradley. With little being accomplished except cacophony, it appears yet another Bridgeport Board of Education issue is headed to the courts.