‘Chaos.’ Tempers flare at Norwalk BOE meeting, budget vote postponed again
The meeting came weeks after parents protested school budget cuts, which led to a back-and-forth negotiation between the board and city officials.
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Another chapter in the city's ongoing education budget saga was written Tuesday night, and it wasn't pretty.
The Board of Education threatened to end the meeting early after a wave of outbursts from the crowd.
"Respect, please!" Vice Chair Sheri McCready Pritchett said. "If this continues, we are going to end the meeting."
The meeting came weeks after parents protested school budget cuts, which led to a back-and-forth negotiation between the board and city officials.
"What we’re looking for is transparency," Concord Magnet School parent Nicole Chu says. "We don’t know what’s going on."
Tuesday night's meeting finished with the board ultimately deciding to postpone the vote yet again.
Sources say the unions involved, while close to a deal, have yet to make an agreement.
“Let’s be honest," one parent said. "This community has been forced to navigate chaos."
Unlike previous meetings, a strong contingent of supporters of Norwalk Superintendent Dr. Alexandra Estrella spoke Tuesday night, advocating for her contract to be extended.
Parents told News 12 that Tuesday's meeting left them with more questions than answers.
"Even now, as we celebrate the possible return of our music programs," Chu says. "We’re still confused."
Sources say the board is hoping to vote Wednesday night.
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