Teacher advocates say district failed to deliver promised health coverage; board urged to improve accountability

Leslie Bledow of the New Haven Federation of Teachers urged the New Haven Board of Education to address gaps in accountability after she described a case in which a disabled teacher did not receive promised district health coverage following a retirement/disability agreement. "It took one month of phone calls and emails…to get her insurance," Bledow said, urging the board to ensure timely follow‑through on personnel commitments.

Bledow said the teacher — identified in her remarks as Christina Foraro (transcript also records the name as Christina Ferrara) — has more than 20 years of service and was a New Haven resident. She said the lack of coverage affected the teacher’s husband’s ability to stay in a rehab facility and the teacher’s access to medication. Bledow added that the issue was resolved shortly before the meeting but only after extended advocacy by two people who were not working for New Haven Public Schools at the time. "This transition to disability was disgraceful from start to finish," she said, and asked the board to improve responsiveness for educators.

Board members did not take public action on the case during the meeting. The public comment prompted board members to acknowledge the district’s broader responsibilities to staff and to reiterate their interest in working with administrators to address such problems promptly. The board proceeded with routine business, including approval of minutes and personnel actions.