Willard Parents Have Their Concerns On Time Change Heard

Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. between 20 and 30 parents, mostly moms, got to tell Berlin school administrators why they thing changing the opening time of school at Willard Elementary School from 8 a.m. until 8:40 a.m. was a bad idea. 

Willard Elementary Principal Sal Urso and Superintendent David B. Erwin heard the testimony from the mostly moms. There was also a representative from New Britain Transportation. 

"Considering the time, I think it was a good turnout," said Marilyn Richter, who organized the opposition and started on online petition here. "It was very emotional. We actually passed a box of tissues around. They listened to us and I think they are taking it into consideration to at least postpone it because it's not enough time to make arrangements."

The administrators told those in attendance that they are looking to have before school care at the YMCA

One thing that was was not well-received by those opposed was "that they do not rule the BOE by petition and that they will not accept it but I could mail it in," Richter said. 

Maria Funk was there even though she will not be directly affected by the time change. Her job allows her flexibility as to the start time. 

"I have a child who will be in fifth grade next fall," Funk said. "I agree with everything the Board of Ed. is saying. I think it will help with cirriculum and the teachers but this is too short notice. They haven't even settled on the time change and it's June. I hope they listened and I think it was constructive."  

Lori Oakes wrote the following to the BOE and parents.

Thank you for listening to the Berlin parents. We are simply challenging our schools central administration to not be just good leaders but rather great leaders. When making changes that impact families, they should better communicate the proposals, listen to the communities feedback and help us understand why the changes need to happen.

Our BOE really needs to look and see who this change benefits - there are only a handful professional days (nine) in the 2013-2014 school calendar, which would mean nine meetings that the teachers of Willard school would have to sit and wait for the other elementary school teachers to be available to meet versus 183 days that parents would have to adjust their work schedules/or find early morning care. 

Lori Oakes 

So what do you think? Tell us in comments.