Oyster Bay East Norwich CSD BOE PRESIDENT'S SHIFT: FROM LISTENING TO SILENCING THE COMMUNITY

In 2018, Nancy Castrogiovanni introduced herself to the Oyster Bay–East Norwich community as a hopeful, community-driven Board of Education candidate. Her campaign message was clear: open communication, transparency, and genuine collaboration with parents.
In her own words, she wrote:

“As the only candidate who has a child currently in the school district, I have a very good understanding of the current issues and concerns that our parents and students are facing today. To increase my understanding, if elected, I would encourage everyone to feel free to contact me regarding issues that you think should be brought to the Board level. I would like to hear about problems and successes at the schools.”
Castrogiovanni emphasized her belief in “Excellence in Education” and the importance of community involvement, noting her long-standing history as a PTA member and parent volunteer. Her tone was approachable and inclusive — promising parents and residents that their voices would matter.
Fast forward to today, and the tone has dramatically changed.
As Board President, Castrogiovanni now enforces a rigid “communication philosophy” that tells residents, in essence, to speak but not be heard. The official statement reads:
“While the Board of Education meets in public, it is not a meeting of the public. Debate between members of the audience and/or Board members will not be permitted. The Board will not address personnel or individual student matters in public.”
In practice, this means residents can speak during the “public comment” portion of meetings — but board members will not respond, even to factual questions. Instead, each speaker is met with a perfunctory “thank you for your comment,” regardless of the substance or urgency of the issue raised.

This shift represents more than just a procedural change — it’s a complete reversal of the values that once helped Castrogiovanni win community trust and her seat on the board. The same candidate who once called for open dialogue now presides over a culture of silence, one that discourages public engagement and shields the board from accountability.
Residents have expressed growing frustration that the “public comment” period has become a public monologue, where legitimate questions go unanswered. In a district that often emphasizes “transparency” and “partnership with parents,” this policy feels more like a wall than a window.
When leaders campaign on community engagement but later shut the door on dialogue, it raises an important question for Oyster Bay–East Norwich residents:

What happened to the open communication we were promised?