East Haven School Board Decides Superintendent's Contract

EAST HAVEN, CT - Superintendent of Schools Portia Bonner’s contract was not extended by the Board of Education Tuesday night.

The vote was 4-3 against the one year extension, which led to applause from many parents, according to media reports and Fox 61.

A 600-signature petition against Bonner’s renewal was presented to school board members prior to the vote.

Read the full Fox 61 story here.

We’ll have additional updates on this story on Wednesday.

Original story and background on the petition:

“We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our East Haven Board of Education representatives to not vote in favor of extending Dr. Bonner’s employment contract.”

These are the words of a petition started by concerned parents who are unhappy with Schools Superintendent Portia Bonner and are calling for her contract not to be extended, the New Haven Register previously reported.

These parents do have some numbers behind them. More than 55 percent of district students did not meet achievement level, according to the New Haven Register. Test scores have also reportedly been low.

The comments reflect the passion some parents feel about this issue, especially the impact it has on their children.

“She may have made some positive changes in the system, but she has done more harm than good,” Michelle Petroccio commented. “She got her degree and what she wanted to be, and now she is taking those chances away from our youth.”