By Jarret Liotta

WESTPORT — Though legalities are still under consideration, two town leaders made it clear that they value the work of TEAM Westport and related efforts to champion diversity and inclusivity in town and in the schools.

First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker and Board of Education Chair Lee Goldstein were the keynote speakers at the joint Rotary Clubs’ State of the Town talk at The Westport Library on Sunday afternoon.

The live event, which saw more than 50 people in attendance, was also broadcast online.

“I am fully committed to preserving … the original mission of TEAM Westport,” Tooker said in response to public questions relayed by Jeff Wieser, who moderated the event jointly organized by the Sunrise and Westport Rotary Clubs.

Last week an attorney representing two Westport residents threatened legal action against the town, claiming that some members of TEAM Westport — an appointed board that serves in an advisory capacity to help promote multiculturalism in all its forms — should not be serving because of their longevity in the group, its overall political makeup, and in the case of two members, their residency status.

“I asked our town attorney to respond to these allegations,” Tooker said. “I have not received that response, so I cannot really say anything.”

Goldstein said she “categorically and unequivocally” supports the mission of TEAM Westport, which some parents have suggested has undue influence on school board decisions.

She noted that just as the Arts Advisory Committee gives input on its area, TEAM does likewise in an advisory capacity.

“Of course we take their advice when it comes to issues of dismantling racism,” she said, questioning why the group is under attack at this particular time.

Likewise, she defended the school administration’s process with regard to its strategic planning, noting that the board synthesizes input from various sources before making decisions.

“When we’re doing it right, it’s hard,” she said. “It’s messy and sometimes contentious, but we keep at it.”

Tooker went on to say how disappointed she was by the lack of civil discourse both in town of late, and the country.

“I’m really concerned that as a country we’re struggling with that process,” she said, noting that often times solutions are generated by people getting together with different opinions in a civil group discussion.

She indicated that future meetings are in the works to augment just such discussions.

“This community really wants to have some constructive conversations on some very difficult topics … Watch this space … I’m really looking forward to doing that,” she said.

In their respective addresses, both officials touched on the immense pandemic-related challenges both the town and school district encountered this past year.

Tooker gave high praise to her various departments and their staff.

“Without them, Westport simply doesn’t work,” she said.

Along with commending teachers, Goldstein simultaneously cautioned that they were under tremendous pressure to perform under extraordinary circumstances.

“I do worry about the morale of our teachers,” she said.

She noted that while the district is adhering to state law with regard to masks, when the mandate likely ends in a couple of weeks they — like the town at large — would consider the guidance of local and state health officials in determining what the future holds.

“Our administration … will continue to follow the science,” Tooker said.