Greenwich first selectman seeking investigation after video suggests discrimination in Cos Cob against Catholics, conservative teachers

Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo called Wednesday for an independent investigation into the town’s hiring practices after a school administrator said in a video that he avoids hiring conservatives and Roman Catholics.

A former Republican state legislator, Camillo was responding to comments made by a Cos Cob School assistant principal in an undercover video that was made by Project Veritas, a highly controversial group that uses hidden-camera interviews on a variety of subjects. The educator, Jeremy Boland, was placed on administrative leave as both Republicans and Democrats condemned his comments.

“The Veritas video just released, and I see no reason to suspect it is not accurate, is shameful and needs a full investigation into not only this administrator, but the damage caused to applicants, past and present,’' Camillo said on his Facebook page. “Our kids deserve better. Our schools deserve better. Our town deserves better.’'

Camillo added, “As a former educator, and a former Cos Cob School student who grew up in the shadow of the building, this hits home. To think that Roman Catholic applicants may have applied for teaching positions and not received proper consideration due to their religion seems like something from a bygone era, not 2022. According to this assistant principal, conservatives, older applicants, and others deemed not progressive were not given an opportunity afforded others.’'

In an interview, Camillo said he wants a review of the hiring practices to be overseen by the town’s law department, which is independent of the public schools.

Both the Greenwich schools and state officials are looking into the controversy.

“The Connecticut State Department of Education has been made aware of the situation in Greenwich and has been in communication with the Greenwich Public Schools, which have taken action within their district,’' said spokesman Eric Scoville. “The CSDE condemns all actions that are discriminatory and contravene Connecticut laws and regulations.’'

The state education department holds the authority to revoke or suspend teaching certificates if officials deem that professional standards have been broken.

In an interview, Gov. Ned Lamont, a Greenwich resident for more than 30 years, said he agreed with the first selectman.

“I thought Freddie’s response was exactly right. I share it,’' Lamont told The Courant. “But Project Veritas sometimes has set up people. I’ve got to see what the circumstances are. But if it is as was portrayed in The Hartford Courant, and it usually is, I’m shocked. I would speak out against that type of prejudice. ... The Cos Cob Elementary School better pay special attention and make everybody sensitive and aware of what happened.’'

Lamont’s opponent, Republican Bob Stefanowski, said he is “deeply troubled’' and angry about the educator’s statements.

“If this person is found guilty of violating state anti-discrimination laws, it is my hope that he is fully prosecuted and never sees the inside of a classroom again,’' Stefanowski said. “When I’m governor, this radical behavior in our public schools will not stand.’'

Greenwich’s schools superintendent, Dr. Toni Jones, said the district would not make any comments about the assistant principal until an investigation is completed.

“We do not, however, support any opinions that promote discriminatory hiring practices based on race, religion, gender, or age in any way, and we want to remind our entire community that our curriculum policies and procedures are strictly enforced by our board,’' Jones said in an email to Greenwich parents and teachers.

Bill Donohue, president of the national Catholic League, said Boland should be fired immediately.

“There is no place for an admitted bigot in education, whether the school is private or public,’' Donohue said. “He has stated—the evidence is indisputable—that he would never hire a Catholic. Had he said he would never hire an African American, they wouldn’t still be thinking about what to do with him.’'

With about two months before the gubernatorial and Congressional elections, the video could become a political issue in Greenwich and beyond. U.S. Senate candidate Leora Levy held a press conference Wednesday evening outside the school to discuss “discrimination and indoctrination occurring in Connecticut public schools’' and “address parents’ concerns about children being taught inappropriate far-left ideologies instead of the fundamentals.’'

Peter Wolfgang, executive director of the conservative Family Institute of Connecticut, said the political implications are clear.

“This is a gift-wrapped present dropped into the lap of Bob Stefanowski for governor,’' Wolfgang wrote on Facebook. “If he does not make the most of this, it will be a huge fail. Ever since around the time of Gov. Youngkin’s victory in Virginia, there were signs that the GOP was starting to get it. That is, that culture matters. Even the Connecticut GOP! Our state chair, Ben Proto, was hitting hard on parental rights in the schools. Bob Stefanowski responded to Roe v. Wade’s repeal by championing parental notification and even going on offense against [Gov. Ned] Lamont on it.’'

In a video that lasts 12 minutes, Boland talked extensively at different locations to a woman who is not seen on the video.

“Believe it or not, the open-minded, more progressive teachers are actually more savvy about delivering a Democratic message without really ever having to mention politics,’' Boland said.

When asked if he would ever hire a Catholic, Boland responded, “Honestly, I don’t want to. ... Because if someone is raised hardcore Catholic, it’s like they’re brainwashed. You can never change their mindset.”

He added, “I’m not a huge expert on religion, but Protestants in this area are probably the most liberal. But if they’re Catholic — conservative.’'

Christopher C. Healy, a spokesman for the Catholic bishops in Connecticut, said the video was “extremely disturbing’' and a breach of the public trust.

“It is unacceptable that any public institution engages in this conduct, and we hope both the Greenwich School district and the state Department of Education investigate this matter thoroughly,’' Healy said. “The comments on Catholics and other indoctrination techniques by the Cos Cob Elementary School assistant principal are vile and they do a profound disservice to the many Catholic teachers in public schools both in Greenwich and across the state. It is our hope this is an isolated incident and not reflective of all dedicated teachers, administrators, and support staff who are trying to provide a quality education to our children.’'

State attorney general William Tong, a Stamford Democrat, condemned the comments but also questioned the practices of Project Veritas.

“There’s something also wrong about this entrapment journalism and gotcha journalism,’' Tong said in an interview. “Journalism should be left to journalists, and law enforcement should be left to law enforcement — to police officers and state’s attorneys and the attorney general’s office. ... I think there’s something really wrong with vigilante journalism, and I don’t think it should be celebrated. There are no rules when somebody engages in Wild West vigilante journalism and tries to entrap somebody.’'

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said, “This country was built on religious tolerance. Religious discrimination is inexcusable and illegal. Of course, I support a full investigation.”

Senate majority leader Bob Duff, a Democrat who represents a district in nearby Norwalk and Darien, condemned the statements.

“If proven true, these are not our values and should not be tolerated,” Duff said on Twitter. “First, there should be a full investigation to determine if this illegal discrimination has been allowed to happen by leaders in Greenwich beyond this man and, if so, all parties need to be held accountable.”

The founder of Project Veritas, James O’Keefe, has been involved in various controversies through the years. His apartment in Mamaroneck, a Westchester County suburb near Greenwich, was raided by FBI agents last year in a court-approved search in connection with a high-profile diary written by Ashley Biden, the youngest child of President Joe Biden.

Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com