Greenwich School Board Appoints 2 Members To Fill Vacancies

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Board of Education on Monday unanimously voted to appoint two candidates to fill the vacancies left by former Board Chair Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony and Wendy Vizzo Walsh, who resigned last month.

Jeffrey Csoka and Jonathan Katz, both Republicans, will serve the remainder of Mercanti-Anthony’s and Vizzo Walsh’s terms until the next municipal election in November 2027.

Greenwich Public Schools put out a call for candidates after receiving word in August the two members would be resigning.

"I just wanted to thank everyone who applied. We had a large number of community members who stepped up and stood ready to serve on this board, sharing their time and their skills for the benefit of our schools and our taxpayers who fund them. We're very appreciative of everyone who threw their hat in the ring," said Board Secretary Karen Krause during Monday's special meeting.

Krause made a motion to nominate Csoka, saying he "brings significant expertise and experience overseeing large-scale capital projects."

"He has a strong track record of leadership throughout his distinguished 25-year military career, where he retired at the rank of colonel, and in his subsequent civilian career, where he now serves as director of construction and facility sourcing at a major university," Krause said.

Csoka and his wife have two children who attend Greenwich public schools. Krause noted he has a hybrid work schedule which allows him to dedicate time to the school board.
Paul Cappiali nominated Katz for the other vacancy.

"Jonathan has children in the Greenwich Public School system. He's a practicing attorney. He brings some things to the board that we're currently lacking. He was a strategic pick and we're excited to have him," Cappiali said in brief remarks.

Katz earned his juris doctor from Seton Hall University, and his bachelor's degree in media studies with a minor in philosophy from the University of Buffalo.

"He's a very well-rounded gentleman, very pragmatic, very thoughtful, and I think we can all say we're looking forward to having him on the board," Cappiali said.

The new members will be sworn in before the board's first official meeting of the school year on Sept. 3, board member and Acting Chair Sophie Koven said.

Koven thanked her colleagues for coming together to fill the vacancies. She encouraged those who weren't selected to remain engaged and consider running for the board in future elections.

The Board of Education elects its officers at its organizational meeting in November during non-election years. Koven will continue as acting chair until a chair is elected by the full eight-person board.