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Stamford teachers report chaotic start as board approves senior administrator job descriptions
Summary
A teachers’ union representative told the board staff returned to a disorganized start with missing curriculum materials and delayed supplies; the board voted to approve four senior job descriptions despite one member’s objections about accountability and preparedness.
Caitlin Sheeran, an executive-board member of the Stamford Education Association and a Turner River Middle School teacher, told the Board of Education that many teachers “returned to an unprepared start” this week, citing unavailable curricular materials, delayed HEART social-emotional program supplies and late professional-development notices that left teachers “stressed and like they are already behind the 8 ball.”
The concerns surfaced as the board’s labor committee considered a slate of job descriptions for new senior positions recommended by Superintendent Dr. Lucero. The board approved the job description for a chief family and staff resource officer (Resolution 8-27-24-59) 8–0–0 (one member absent). Three associate-superintendent job descriptions — elementary, middle and high schools (Resolutions 8-27-24-60, 61, 62) — were each approved by recorded votes of 7–1–0, with Dr. Hammond the lone opposing vote on those items.
Dr. Hammond said the approvals came amid the same problems Sheeran described. “My concern is that if we’re running large-scale professional development and we continue to have issues of materials not available at the elementary level … that job description does not cover being prepared for professional development or school orientation,” Dr. Hammond told colleagues, and he asked that action be postponed to add more specific accountability language. No board member seconded the postponement motion.
Superintendent Dr. Lucero defended the job descriptions and the district’s preparations. She described a process to ensure materials and training are communicated to principals and said Title IX training and other necessary staff trainings are scheduled. “We will check to make sure that [policies and training] are updated in the book,” she said.
Board members who supported the job descriptions said the roles are important to deliver district-level leadership. After discussion, each job description passed, and the board moved on to other committee business.
The board did not adopt any new operational policies tied directly to hiring outcomes at this meeting; the approved job descriptions will return to administrative recruitment and assignment processes.
The board is expected to proceed with recruitment for the new positions following standard human-resources procedures; no hires were made at the Aug. 27 meeting.
