Board of Education Votes to Postpone Special Education Staffing Decisions Indefinitely

An emotional Board of Education meeting Tuesday night at the North Haven High School auditorium culminated with a vote to postpone indefinitely the firing or reassignment of any of the town's special education teachers.

The session, which began with a presentation by superintendent Dr. Robert Cronin on the state of North Haven's special education services, quickly turned into a charged public forum with both teachers and parents criticizing the proposal to reduce staff, as well as the manner in which the cuts were first announced.

Speaking to a packed auditorium, Cronin cited three reports, a 2008 document written by Education and Organizational Consulting Services, and two 2011 overviews, that identified faults with North Haven's special ed program.

In a broad-ranging slide-show covering numerous aspects of the town's education system, from the professional development of teachers to the necessity of developing curriculum across all grade levels, the superintendent outlined a plan for reassigning or replacing nine special ed positions to fill gaps in a variety of administrative and classroom roles.

According to the proposal, two special education teachers would switch to working as math coaches at the town's elementary schools, and another would be assigned to the additional kindergarten class at Montowese.

Additionally, one special ed teacher would be replaced by a secondary reading/English-language learner teacher, another by social work services at the Alternative School, and a third by comprehensive professional development on autism and classroom management amongst remaining teachers. The two remaining special education positions up for termination would be replaced by a K-12 curriculum coordinator.

"I am not suggesting that we cut or eliminate any positions, but rather reassign within schools based on our district's needs," explained Cronin.

As the meeting shifted to Board of Education and public questions, a consensus quickly emerged concerning the perceived speed with which the decision to cut positions had been made.

"It's a shame we did not address these issues in 2008," BOE member Alicia Clapp commented. "I just wish the issue could have been taken up earlier so the buck didn't have to stop with the teachers who are being let go due to a top-down decision."

Nearly two hours of public comments followed Cronin's talk. By turns thankful for the work of the town's special education teachers and incensed at the superintendent's proposal to eliminate positions, parents appeared of the near-unanimous opinion that the layoffs were ill-advised and damaging to the welfare of students.

Many speakers shared stories of their childrens' success working with supports in the schools, in many cases praising special education teachers by name to applause and cheers. 

Others voiced anger that layoffs would even be considered following the passing of an education budget that promised no reduction in services or staff.

Both State Representative Dave Yaccarino and State Senator Len Fasano argued that while Cronin's ideas were solid in principle, large-scale reorganizations of the school system should proceed slowly with the blessing and input of town residents.

Sean Lahey, a teacher, condemned the Board for recommending the cuts at the end of the school year, and urged the BOE to vote to delay any major changes in the district until next year.

The Board of Education declined to answer individual questions or comments during most of the session, a stance that gradually shifted the tenor of the room from one of incredulity or disappointment at the proposed layoffs to barely-contained hostility against the superintendent and the Board by the meeting's end. 

The turning point came when First Selectman Mike Freda abruptly rose from his seat to recommend that no drastic changes be made until the public had been properly consulted.

"I don't want to see any changes this fiscal year," said Freda. "We will do what is needed over the course of time, but right now we have to listen to the people."

Freda's statement was met with a standing ovation from the audience.

Following the Selectman's comments, Cronin was asked if RIF's scheduled with special education teachers for Wednesday would proceed. When Cronin responded that they would, outrage among the audience reached fever pitch.

With discontent mounting, Alicia Clapp entered a last-minute motion for the Board of Education to vote to suspend all reassignments and layoffs indefinitely, and to begin work on a comprehensive improvement plan for the district. The resolution passed in seconds. 

Over cheers and applause from residents, BOE Chairman Sandra Cummings adjourned the meeting at a little after 8:30 p.m.

Speaking after the vote, Cronin said that a revised proposal for improving the town's special education services would be developed in the coming months.

"I would never try and jeopardise special ed programs," said the superintendent. "After tonight we will try and have better communication with parents, and more conversations and explanations of changes down the road."

"There will always be people who don't agree with change," Cronin added. "But hopefully, at the end of the day, reason prevails."