Teachers respond to First Selectman's Budget Comments

The Fairfield Education Association would like to respond to the Board of Selectmen's February 26th budget hearing, where First Selectman Bill Gerber commented that he “didn’t like being ripped off” and also claimed that Fairfield teachers were taking courses at “fly-by-night diploma factories” to earn lane changes and salary advancement. These statements are inaccurate and deeply offensive to teachers and the Fairfield Public Schools.

First Selectman Gerber has learned, after he made the comments, that Fairified teachers are not “ripping off” anyone. All graduate level coursework that teachers take is approved by the Fairfield Public Schools Central Office. Teachers have been taking these courses for at least fifteen years and have been receiving credit without incident.

There has never been a single instance where a teacher has been accused of, or disciplined for, any type of dishonest conduct regarding their graduate level coursework.

Additionally, the on-line providers are well established and the coursework teachers take is fully endorsed by accredited colleges and universities. Many teachers are pursuing additional graduate degrees or certifications, and others are taking graduate courses to enhance their instructional practices. This is consistent with our past practice and most districts across the state of Connecticut.

Fairfield teachers are doing nothing wrong. Teachers are providing the best education to Fairfield students by furthering their careers and knowledge through approved coursework.

The First Selectman has stated that he has learned more about the course approval process, and will not be addressing it in the budget process moving forward. We ask Selectman Gerber to publicly retract his comments, and, in the future, talk to teachers when he has a concern.

We appreciate the work of both the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education and hope that the parties can agree upon a fair budget that reflects Fairfield’s long-standing support of its public schools.

Mick McGarry

President: Fairfield Education Association