Teachers, parents and union urge transparency after nonrenewals and program cuts at Shelton School District meeting

At a June meeting of the Shelton School District Board of Directors, dozens of teachers, parents and union leaders criticized the district’s recent staffing decisions and urged the board to provide clearer explanations, restore positions and protect programs they said are at risk.

The concerns — voiced during the meeting’s public comment period — centered on contract nonrenewals, alleged pressure on staff to resign, cuts to counseling and arts programs, maintenance and facility problems, and what speakers described as a punitive evaluation culture. "If they speak up, they will be fired," William Sullivan, a parent, said as he read teachers’ messages collected on a website he created. "The teachers are screaming," he added.

Why it matters: speakers said the losses and culture problems have direct effects on students’ academic and social-emotional support. Multiple speakers tied program and personnel cuts to the district’s budget shortfall and warned that continued loss of staff could harm student services and make passing a replacement levy harder.

Teachers, union leaders and parents described a pattern they said has removed experienced staff. "I've taught here for 25 years," said Ivyb Villalobos, an Evergreen Elementary teacher. "After June 13, because of my nonrenewal and because of my colleague's nonrenewal and another resignation early, there will be 0 teachers at Evergreen Elementary with our national board certification." Villalobos said some highly qualified teachers have been placed on plans of improvement after years of positive evaluations.

Union and staff concerns: Nick Sanders, president of the Shelton Education Association, told the board the union and district should work together to retain skilled teachers and that many staffers fear retaliation for speaking out. "Please consider their perspectives, their struggles, and their desire to improve the education our students receive," Sanders said.

Specific issues raised by speakers included: - Staffing and nonrenewals: Multiple speakers said large numbers of teachers have left this year. One speaker referred to "66 plus resignations." Several teachers who addressed the board said they were notified their positions would be discontinued for budget reasons and later observed new hires or reassignments that they described as suspicious. - Dual language program: Former staff and parents described the district’s dual language program as nationally recognized and warned that it is "falling apart." Speakers urged the board to support and expand the bilingual model rather than treat it as an optional program. - Counselors and student supports: One speaker said the high school would have "only 3 counselors for over 1,500 students," and warned that fewer counselors mean reduced crisis response and supports for students facing homelessness and mental-health needs. - Arts and electives: Teachers said visual arts and choir programs face cuts. "Evergreen won't have a visual arts program next year because of the budget," one speaker said, arguing that arts instruction supports English-language development and broader academic gains. - Facilities and supplies: Teachers reported broken windows temporarily patched, classrooms reaching "80-plus degrees" because of HVAC issues, and recurring shortages of basic supplies such as paper towels and printer ink. A student speaker said elevators had been out of service for weeks, creating accessibility and safety problems. - Evaluations and school culture: Numerous speakers described surprise walkthroughs, abrupt evaluation downgrades and a climate of fear that discourages staff from voicing concerns. "A culture of fear and distrust" around evaluations was reported by multiple commenters.

Board and district responses at the meeting were limited to acknowledging the comments and saying the board would consider them. The board announced plans to enter an executive session after public comment; it did not take public action in response to these statements during the meeting.

Ending: Speakers repeatedly asked the board to investigate hiring and nonrenewal decisions, to restore or protect counselors and arts programs, and to increase transparency about budget priorities before the upcoming levy election. Several speakers said they would pursue documentation and follow-up with the board and the public.