Students Speaking at Trumbull BOE Meeting About Former Sub

A group of Trumbull High students and alumni are set to speak at public comment Tuesday evening in front of the Board of Education after a popular substitute teacher wasn’t called back to teach.

Some have alleged that Joe Rodgers was let go after he asked a student not to re-share a message on Facebook calling President Barack Obama a “traitor” and “sick tyrant,” according to the Connecticut Post. The student’s mother, Cindy Penkoff is on the Trumbull Town Council.

First Selectman Tim Herbst told the Post that no elected officials had anything to do with Rodger’s employment. Herbst’s mother is the chairwoman of the Board of Education. Penkoff said she had nothing to do with Rodgers not being called back to the school system.

Rodgers told the Trumbull Times he is touched by the willingness of students to speak on his behalf, but he believes justice won’t be reached Tuesday or possibly ever.

Superintendent Dr. Gary Ciafi said the school administration doesn’t comment about personnel matters.

A Facebook group called “Stand With Mr. Rodgers” has around 1,700 members.

Read the full CT Post story here.

Read the full Trumbull Times story here.