BOE to Hold Special Meeting Regarding Special Education Staff Reassignments

The Office of Superintendent Robert Cronin noted today that a special meeting regarding reassignments and possible layoffs within North Haven's special education program will be held in the near future.

A time and place for the meeting have not yet been finalized. According to the office, the details should be forthcoming tomorrow.

Yesterday, several local news outlets reported that up to 9 special education teachers in the town's public schools would be reassigned to other departments for the 2011-2012 year.

In a statement issued yesterday, Cronin alluded to the fact that affected employees who do not hold dual certification may be laid off.

In an article published today in the New Haven Register, Board of Education Vice Chairman Stephen DiCapua is quoted as saying, "I recommended to the board that we look at moving nine teachers into other areas. We’re also starting some new special education programs and part of this is that.”

According to the Cronin, caseloads for special education teachers are lower in North Haven than in other surrounding school systems.

Many parents with children in special education have expressed disappointment in the announcement, both in the comments section of and in correspondence with town officials.

Stay tuned for more details as they are made available.