Battles over education budgets are all too common in Connecticut school districts at this time of year, but community advocacy has the power to turn the tide in students’ favor. In Darien, parents and teachers worked together and successfully fought back against initial proposals to cut the board of education budget in ways that would have harmed students.
Darien Education Association President Barry Palmer says, “The DEA was proud to partner with parents in Darien to convince the board of education to restore proposed eliminations to teaching positions in the district. It’s a testament to both our organization and our advocacy that we were successful in lobbying our board to reverse many of the superintendent’s ill-advised attempts to find budgetary efficiencies at the expense of our students. We could not be more proud to represent a group of teachers who so fiercely advocate for their students and colleagues.”
The superintendent’s proposed budget called for eliminating the equivalent of eight full-time teaching positions in the middle and elementary schools, cutting 10 elementary instructional aides, condensing special education directors, and eliminating two department chair positions.
At a series of meetings, DEA members, parents, and students spoke out and explained the impact that the cuts would have on Darien students.
DEA Vice President Jen Fischer, a third grade teacher at Ox Ridge Elementary School, told the board that increasing student to teacher ratios would negatively impact the students most in need of additional support.
“We wants what’s best for our kids. We hope the board and administration understand that our advocacy is to try to protect what is best for our kids,” she said. “The positive impact on student mental health is significant when they have more teachers who are available, invested, and know them well.”
Fifth grade teacher and CEA’s NEA Director Katy Gale said that the proposed cuts had been demoralizing to educators and the school community. “We are feeling less and less valued as professionals.”
Gale added that cuts would have a ripple effect and explained why increases in class size have such a large impact on a school. “Less contact with teachers for students increases their frustration, which reduces and erodes that important sense of belonging that we strive to provide. From there it is a direct line to behavior issues that will impact all classroom environments.”
Sari Sperling, the art teacher at Royle Elementary School, told the board that Darien has always prioritized having one art educator per elementary building teaching students for their entire six years and launching them to middle school. She explained that cutting an art teaching position would increase scheduling headaches, cut art teachers’ prep time, and would mean students would have access to fewer complex and multi-stage art projects. “The emphasis will switch to what’s practical, instead of focusing on the curriculum.”
Fischer urged the board, “We are asking you to add. Add back in increased opportunities for creative expression via the arts, add back in the ability for our specials teachers to build long-lasting meaningful relationships with their students. Add back in the ability to faithfully fulfill the strategic plan. Add back what makes Darien the best in education you can find. Do not erode what makes us special.”
After hearing hours of public comment at recent meetings from teacher and community voices, the board voted to add back in eight teaching positions, including the elementary art teacher, and five teaching aides.
“This was an exceptional organizing effort from the local association,” says CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey. “I’m proud to be a member of DEA ,and I’m glad the board made some of the right choices on behalf of teachers and students.”
The Darien board of finance will be the next to weigh in on the board of education budget during a presentation scheduled for March 5.
