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Youth coordinator and alder urges board to pause proposal reclassifying youth coordinators
Summary
Frank Redenty Jr., a youth development coordinator at Fairhaven School and Alder of Ward 15, urged the New Haven Board of Education to pause a proposal to convert youth coordinators into "community care coordinators," citing staffing shortages, temporary funding origins, pay/seniority concerns and requesting an investigation into labor practices.
Frank Redenty junior, a youth development coordinator at Fairhaven School and an alder for Ward 15, told the New Haven Board of Education on July 13 that the district should immediately pause a proposal to reclassify youth coordinators as community care coordinators.
"I'm just here tonight to demand that the board of ed put an immediate pause to the proposal to switch youth coordinators to care coordinators," Redenty said. He asked the board to "study the implications in staffing, students" and said he "respectfully request[ed] an investigation into the unethical and legal labor practices surrounding this proposed change."
Redenty said the youth coordinator positions were created using temporary COVID-19 funds and described a staffing gap at Fairhaven School, which he said operates with one security guard, one school support specialist and one youth coordinator to address student behavior and emergencies. He warned that the proposed reclassification would merge experienced coordinators into a new, poorly defined role without appropriately reflecting seniority or salary.
Redenty also said he voted against recent administrator raises at the Board of Alders because the district appears to be "elevating top administrators while we turn our backs on the little guy." He framed the reclassification as part of a pattern that, he said, disadvantages paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers and longtime staff.
Board chair (S1) thanked Redenty for his comment and noted that the board does not respond during public participation; the chair said concerns will be referred to district administration for review. The transcript contains no immediate administration response or formal direction to staff to halt the proposal; Doctor Benitez later urged stakeholders to submit written recommendations when policies return to committee review.
Ending: Redenty's remarks put a spotlight on staffing and contract questions in the district. The board did not take a formal vote or issue a public-facing decision on the proposal during the July 13 meeting; the item was discussed in committee and stakeholders were invited to submit written recommendations for revisions.
