Residents tell Tolland council cuts to high school staff have stretched classes and reduced services

During the councils public participation period Oct. 14, several residents raised concerns about recent staff reductions at Tolland High School and their effects on students.

A speaker identified as Lynn listed positions she said were cut or left unfilled over the past two years, including one history teacher, one English teacher, a Spanish teacher ("Ms. Clark"), two science teachers (one identified as "Ms. Harris" who taught botany and another named "Ms. Lumpkins"), a librarian ("Ms. Fontaine"), an LPN in the nurses office ("Ms. Salerno") and at least one math teacher who retired and was not replaced. Lynn said many special-education teachers, particularly in the LEAP program, had left, and that classes are becoming overfull and some students can no longer enroll in needed courses.

Lacey Bowden, another resident who identified ties to Tolland High School, told the council she has noticed limited class materials and constrained club activity. "We've lost many, many teachers over the years ... Students are stressed because of changes in their school," Bowden said. She said advisers for extracurricular groups such as botany have left this year.

Councilors did not take action during the public-comment period but thanked speakers and noted the concerns will be part of future budget and school oversight conversations. Town and education officials at the meeting later discussed budget and staffing issues in other agenda items.