Shouting match ends school board meeting
STAMFORD — The proposed 2020-21 school budget was approved by the Stamford Board of Education with no changes on Thursday night, but not before a shouting match between members that essentially ended the meeting.
Members Nicola Tarzia and Jackie Pioli got into a heated argument that forced the board to go into a brief recess, before returning to a quick vote and adjournment.
As members were debating a handful of budget
recommendations made by newly-appointed board member Becky Hamman, Tarzia could be heard saying that the back-and-forth was a “waste of time,” as the budget still needs approval from the Board of Finance and Board of Representatives before coming back to the school board.
Pioli took offense, telling Tarzia, “Don’t disrespect us like that. If you don’t have the time, then leave.”
That set off a two-and-ahalf minute shouting match that forced the board to take a break after board President Andy George told both members they were out of order.
In response to Pioli’s comments, Tarzia said, “I’m not disrespecting anybody. I think we’re
wasting time.”
He added, “You’re wasting time by micromanaging a budget that has to get approved by two other boards.”
When Tarzia told Pioli she needed to respect him, she responded, “I don’t have to respect you. Who are you?”
Many other members of the board, clearly dismayed by the argument, walked out of the meeting room.
The argument devolved into name-calling as Tarzia referred to Pioli as an “inefficient board member.”
Tarzia added, “What
have you done, Ms. Pioli, to help the board?”
“What have I done? Actually come to the budget meetings. Don’t get me started,” she shot back.
Tarzia then claimed he was more dedicated than Pioli because, unlike her, he does not have children in the school system.
“You have children. That’s why you’re here,” he said.
Pioli asked, “What benefits do my kids get from me being on the board?”
Tarzia said they get “Personal benefits. You probably use your power for your children.”
He continued, “You do
nothing to help the Board of Education. You’ve done nothing groundbreaking to help.”
Pioli then told Tarzia to “shut up.”
Soon after, Pioli walked out of the room.
When board members were back in their chairs, a motion was made to vote on the full budget. Pioli, however, was not in the room, and member Mike Altamura was walking out as the vote was about to take place.
Because of that, Tarzia said, “I just want to make sure it’s on the record. Two board members are leaving, so they won’t vote on the budget because they don’t have the guts to stay in here.”
Pioli was a few feet away from returning to her chair when he said that, and Altamura returned to his desk to cast a vote.
Eventually, the budget passed with a vote of 6-3. The three votes against were from Pioli, Altamura and Hamman.
After the vote, Altamura closed the meeting by addressing Tarzia.
“If you had 10 percent of my guts, it would be a better world,” he said.