Editor’s note: following are opinions submitted by Westporters Calum Madigan and David Kostek.
Support Letter for Abby Tolan
I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for Ms. Tolan. For the past two years, as I finished high school serving as a student representative to the Board of Education, I had the privilege of serving alongside Ms. Tolan, during which I came to know her as an empathetic, caring, and highly intelligent member of the community. She is an open-minded individual who genuinely listens to the community’s concerns and works FOR EVERY CHILD. With her extensive experience as an educator and special education advocate, Ms. Tolan has consistently demonstrated a commitment to providing the resources needed for everyone to succeed, ensuring that no one is left behind. She focuses on the well-being of every individual, paying attention not only to overall performance but also to those struggling, and actively seeking ways to improve outcomes for all. Ms. Tolan brings a unique perspective to the board and will always listen carefully to your concerns. Make your voice heard – vote for Ms. Tolan for the BOE on November 4!
Calum Madigan
Park Lane
Westport
Abby Tolan: Hall of Fame Board of Ed Member
Abby Tolan is a first-ballot Hall of Fame Board of Education member. It’s essential that Westport elects her back to the Board of Ed. When you fill out your ballot, I urge you to bubble in Abby’s name first, then move on to the rest of your votes.
Abby Tolan has spent her career and life studying education. She taught a generation of kids, building relationships with parents and students that inform her work on the Westport Board of Ed. As a special education teacher, Abby was a tireless advocate for her students, centering each child’s unique needs before applying her expertise to help EVERY child succeed. We need that perspective on the Board.
You can vote for up to four Board of Ed members. Because of our town charter’s rules, only two of the three Democrats on your ballot can be seated, no matter how many votes they each get. I’m voting for only Abby among the Derms. It’s too important to risk losing her, so I’m expressing my determination to make sure this Hall of Famer is among those serving our kids for years to come.
I hope every Westporter will support every child in town with a vote for Abby Tolan, too.
David Kostek
Keyser Road
Westport
Robert Harrington would be a superior member on the Board of Education. He asked the tough questions in regard to the potentially illegal treatment of the soccer coach without due process. Nobody else on the Board of Education had the courage to allow due process in regard to the coach. Write-in Robert Harrington’s name for the Board of Education to continue his call for fair treatment of individuals.