'Do it the right way.' Local, state teachers unions call for reversal of dozens of reassignments, layoffs in Stamford
The Connecticut Education Association says many of the teachers being transferred are being moved to special education positions that they've had no practice or real quality training in.
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The state's largest teachers union is calling for more transparency after it says nearly three dozen Stamford educators are being involuntarily transferred, while some are even being laid off.
"It's just a punch from Tyson in the gut," Stamford Education Association President John Corcoran says.
The Connecticut Education Association says many of the teachers being transferred are being moved to special education positions that they've had no practice or real quality training in.
"We have an elementary classroom teacher who is being transferred to a special education classroom," CEA vice president Joslyn DeLancey says. "She received her certification in special ed decades ago, and has not taught special education or had relevant [personal development] in that area."
Multimedia specialist Elaine Gencarelli says she's one of the teachers getting laid off.
"Reduction in workforce is a polite way of saying, 'You are laid off and no longer have a job with Stamford Public Schools,'" Gencarelli says. "Our superintendent, our assistant superintendent, and our HR people are making choices that they're not explaining."
Union officials say the recently approved Stamford school budget didn't include any of the layoffs or reassignments.
But the school system says it's allowed to make the moves under the teacher's contract agreement.
In a statement, the school system says that of the 36 employees affected, 29 are being transferred.
"Without these staffing adjustments," SPS says, "the district would have faced significantly more layoffs."
They add that five people are being laid off because their certifications do not match any open opportunities, while two more are being converted from full-time to part-time.
They also say any employee impacted by these moves will get a right of first refusal should opportunities arise in their old positions in the next two hiring cycles.
Meantime, the union is calling on the Stamford Board of the Ed to cease and desist, so that the public can take a closer look.
The next Board of Ed meeting is June 23.
"My hope is that we put forward an amendment that we direct the superintendent to cease and desist," administrator Dr. Becky Hamman says. "That will calm down the parents and the educators, and give us a chance to breathe. Then at that point, let's relook at what we have to hire here, and let's do it the right way."
