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Parents say district blindsided them on Infant Toddler program changes; board apologizes and offers follow‑up
Summary
Parents and staff at the district Infant Toddler Development Center said they learned of possible restructuring only through informal channels and a late FAQ; the superintendent apologized for communication lapses and promised follow‑up meetings and fuller budget detail at the May 4 presentation.
Parents, teachers and program staff from the district’s Infant Toddler Development Center (ITDC) told the Board of Education they felt blindsided by recent notices about program restructuring and asked for transparent, timely financial details before final budget decisions.
"This conversation is about much more than shutting down ITDC," ITDC PTO chair Dana Thalos said, describing repeated unanswered questions and last‑minute FAQ postings. Multiple staff members said they first learned about potential changes from parents rather than directly from administrators and called the delivery of information “a slap in the face.”
Speakers requested clear data on enrollment, revenue and staffing that led to the proposed changes and urged the district to pursue partnerships or alternatives that could preserve a revenue‑generating program. A long‑serving ITDC paraprofessional said staff and families deserve in‑person engagement and time to explore solutions.
Superintendent Dr. Schwarz acknowledged the communication misstep and apologized, saying the administration will schedule follow‑up meetings with ITDC families and staff and will provide fuller budget documentation at the May 4 final budget session. He also described prior efforts that produced roughly $1.5 million in savings when benefits were restructured, underscoring the scale of the district’s fiscal challenge.
What happens next: the superintendent committed to a meeting series and to providing more precise financial figures at the district’s final budget presentation on May 4; parents asked for direct face‑to‑face sessions and the ability to review proposed alternatives before final decisions.
Why it matters: ITDC is a long‑standing local early‑childhood program whose proposed restructure affects working families and staff. Parents argued that the timing and form of the district’s communication made planning difficult and undercut community trust, and they asked for steps to restore transparency before the budget vote.
