Schools

Brookfield Ed Board Member Resigns over Sandy Hook Comment

Greg Beck's resignation comes amidst calls from parents in both Brookfield and Newtown for him to step down, and as the town's Ethics Commission opens an investigation into his actions.

BROOKFIELD— Before parents could ask newly elected Board of Education (BOE) member Greg Beck to step down once again at Tuesday’s meeting, Chairman Scott McCarthy told those in attendance that Beck intends to resign.

Beck has yet to submit an official resignation to the Town Clerk’s Office, however his party chairman confirmed Tuesday that Beck will be stepping down.

Calls to Beck requesting comment Tuesday evening were not immediately returned.

Pressure for Beck to step down has been consistent since the 26-year-old emergency dispatcher, who was elected in November on the new third-party A Brookfield Party (ABP), posted a comment on post about acts of kindness leading up to the anniversary of Sandy Hook. The comment stated that Beck’s acts of kindness would be to buy ammunition for his gun-enthusiast friends.

Beck quickly removed the comment, however those who were offended by the post have kept pressure on him to resign.

Brookfield (and some Newtown) residents have been at every BOE meeting since the comment was posted on Nov. 19 and two complaints have been filed with the Board of Ethics.

The Board of Ethics found probable cause in both complaints and is scheduled to start a hearing on Thursday morning.

ABP Chairman Robert Gianazza said he received an email from Beck Tuesday afternoon stating his intention to resign from the board.

Beck’s email did not state why he chose to step down now, according to Gianazza, but said that he discussed it with his family and it was a “very personal decision.”

Gianazza said he supports Beck’s decision, though he did not try to persuade him in either direction.

Gianazza also said he will be going through the town’s list of independent voters for potential candidates to fill the vacancy and will make recommendations to the BOE, though it will ultimately be their decision.


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