Trumbull Resident: Ed Board Chair Should Refuse Seat

The following is a letter to the editor.

As a former member of the Board of Education I feel compelled to comment on the recent selection of Deborah Herbst as Chairwoman.  While I very much respect Mrs. Herbst’s passion for the children of Trumbull and the time and energy she has put into serving the community, I think it is inappropriate for her to be the Chair of the Board of Ed when her son is First Selectman and her husband is Athletic Director [Editor's note: Michael Herbst retires on Jan. 31, 2014].  

One of the most important attributes of a member of any elected commission is the ability to be unbiased and objective.  This is very difficult in Trumbull where politics and political affiliations are cause for much vitriol.  Even if Mrs. Herbst tries to follow her conscience without any influence from her family her actions and decisions will always be subject to question because of her son and husband.

We also must consider the excessive influence this one family now has over the Town finances. The Education budget is a huge percentage of the total and is now subject to the control of three family members. How does this reflect the checks and balances that are such an integral part of our form of government? How can a devoted wife and mother knowingly make life publicly difficult for her husband or son by supporting a budget that is not in agreement with what her loved one is publicly supporting?  

I am concerned that the best case result of this situation is discomfort on the part of the residents of Trumbull about the decisions being made by the Board of Education.  Worst case would be decisions being made for political reasons and not for the benefit of the students.

I know that Mrs. Herbst has aspired to this position for a long time and is deserving of recognition for her contributions to the community but I think she could show her dedication to the children of Trumbull by declining the position of Board of Education Chair.

Joann Tyborowski