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Union and parents warn of staff shortages and recess safety gaps at Orange school meeting
Summary
At the Nov. 10 Orange Elementary School Committee meeting, union representatives and public commenters warned of low staff morale and safety gaps at recess after a teacher’s termination and reports of repeated student injuries and bee stings; the committee agreed to place recess supervision on a future agenda.
At its Nov. 10 meeting at Fisher Hill Elementary School, the Orange Elementary School Committee heard public comments from teachers and community members raising concerns about staff retention and student safety at recess.
Alyson Herk read a statement by Danae OBryan saying she was hired at the start of the school year, led a class of 27 students many of whom required additional support, repeatedly requested help and received evaluations without actionable feedback, had her mentorship discontinued, and was terminated within her first 90 days. The statement said the termination left little time to prepare students and families for the change.
“The mentorship was discontinued and I was terminated suddenly with the only reason being that they have 90 days to terminate,” the statement reported, which the committee received during the public-comment period.
Beth Weissman, the Fisher Hill school nurse, told the committee the school’s outdoor landscaping has attracted bees and cited about 15 bee stings in September; she also described frequent playground injuries, including head injuries, broken bones and sprains that sometimes require hospital visits. Weissman urged a proactive approach to recess safety, proposing a committee to review recess supervision and making first-aid training mandatory for recess monitors.
Union representatives (OETA) echoed those concerns in a written statement read to the committee, thanking new staff member Danielle Boucher for her visibility while warning of broader morale and retention problems. The OETA statement said 10 licensed teachers were not renewed and the district had already lost four staff members who might have stayed with greater support; it also noted the recent termination within the first 90 days as an example of staffing instability.
Committee members acknowledged the concerns. Resident Frank Hains, who spoke during public comment, asked how many staff are on duty during recess and requested that recess supervision be added to a future agenda. The meeting’s “Items for Future Consideration” list documents recess concerns and late-arrival practices as follow-ups.
The committee did not take immediate policy action; several members indicated the issue would be placed on a future agenda for more detailed staff and safety review. The committee’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2026.
Why it matters: staffing levels, supervision practices and training affect students’ day-to-day safety and the district’s ability to retain teachers. The union’s note about nonrenewals and the public-health concerns raised by the school nurse highlight operational and personnel issues the committee said it will examine further.
