Editor’s note: following is an opinion submitted by Westporter Philip Gallo.

I am writing to endorse Dorie Hordon, Andy Frankel, Michelle Hopson and Kaitlin Zucaro for the Board of Education.  My support for the slate is based on my own direct interactions with the candidates as well as my view of the kind of leadership Westport’s Board of Education desperately needs at this moment.

As the only incumbent on the slate, Dorie Hordon embodies the qualities that all board members should have. She is smart, thoughtful, inquisitive and practical. She speaks her mind and does what she thinks is right—often placing her at odds with the board’s majority. Westport is fortunate to have had such a crisp voice of reason on the board for the last four years.  Her running mates all share these important qualities.

As a member of TEAM Westport, I have had the privilege of working with and getting to know Andy Frankel, who like me was appointed by First Selectwoman Jen Tooker.  Andy’s passion for the Westport community is only matched by his sharp intellect.  An accomplished lawyer, he approaches every discussion in a careful and deliberate manner, becoming fully informed before expressing a view.  I have also found him collegial with a great sense of humor, but at the same time extremely independent and an effective advocate who is passionate about improving Westport schools.

Michelle Hopson and Kaitlin Zucaro are highly accomplished individuals in their own right and bring diverse professional experiences spanning finance, marketing, education and technology. They are, like Dorie and Andy, parents of children in our schools, independent thinkers, and excellent communicators who share the same vision for Westport schools as Dorie and Andy.  They are not tied to an ideology, but are laser-focused on maintaining the highest level of academics and improving the infrastructure in our schools.  All four candidates, in short, have the temperament, common sense, experience, and leadership to get things done and provide much-needed direction and oversight as members of the Board of Education.  

When I have attended or watched BOE meetings, I get the sense some current board members are disengaged.  Board meetings go on for hours, and there appears to be a complete lack of focus on things that should be front and center–like standards, curriculum and maintaining academic excellence in our schools, while too much energy is spent on addressing problems that, with better leadership, could have been avoided.  

I have come to learn that we also have candidates in this election who are very outspoken, but seem personally invested rather than championing the interests of our community overall. We don’t need more divisiveness, we need less.  And we need board members who are smart, strong, independent and have the ability to get things done for the benefit of our schools, our community, and especially our children.

That is what Westport will get with the Hordon, Hopson, Frankel, Zucaro slate.  Please join me in voting for all 4! 

Philip Gallo 
Hillspoint Road
Westport