Teachers, students and parents press New Haven Board of Education for higher pay, safer facilities and staffing during public comment

Teachers, students and parents urged the New Haven Board of Education on Sept. 22 to prioritize a new contract that raises pay, restores staffing and fixes unsafe school facilities.

Public commenters told the board their concerns affect classroom learning and teacher retention. Speakers detailed low take‑home pay, building maintenance problems, ongoing vacancies and rising insurance costs that reduce net pay, and asked the board to make those items central in upcoming contract negotiations and the next budget.

The comments came in the public‑comment portion of the board meeting and were not followed by formal board action. Speakers said they want the board to negotiate a fair contract that increases wages, improves health care affordability, reduces class sizes and ensures maintenance follow‑through for building repairs.

“After 10 years in New Haven, teaching in New Haven…