Stratford School Board Clashes With Supt. Over Hybrid Exemptions

STRATFORD, CT — Stratford school board members repeatedly questioned superintendent Janet Robinson’s honesty and transparency during a meeting Tuesday.

Tension between the board and the school district's top administrator was most evident during a discussion of which students should be allowed to start the year attending school in-person four days a week. Most students will be in the classroom two days per week and learn remotely the other three days as part of a hybrid model the district is introducing in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Vice Chair Amy Wiltsie raised the topic, expressing concern that letting any students — other than those with individualized education programs — have extra in-classroom days could widen the achievement gap in town.

“By allowing some families the opportunity for four days in without an IEP is very, very — it’s very unequal, it’s very unfair,” she said during the meeting, streamed live via YouTube. “… If you do for one, you really must do for all.”

With more than 1,000 students enrolled in the district’s full-time distance learning option, Robinson said she would consider four-day accommodations for children of first responders. She said she had cleared two students to attend school in-person four days per week, but agreed not to grant any more exceptions until the board made a decision at a future meeting about how to proceed.

“There was no consulting with the board about this or information given to us, so it’s frustrating,” Chair Allison DelBene said.

DelBene also questioned whether more than two students had received permission to be in the classroom four days each week.

“I hope I’m not in the grocery store and run into more than two parents where this situation is the case, because I have a feeling that might be what happens,” she said.

Board member Bob DeLorenzo expressed similar dissatisfaction about the situation.

“It’s frustrating, it’s really frustrating,” he said. “… We just need honesty, we need honesty.”

DeLorenzo said he was concerned about the district giving certain students preferential treatment.

“I’m sorry if you think it’s being dishonest,” Robinson said. “I’m telling you that I’ve approved two. That’s what I’m telling you.”

Tuesday’s meeting was held the same day a written reprimand the board gave Robinson was released to the Connecticut Post in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.

The reprimand letter, dated May 27 and published by the Post, said Robinson communicated poorly and gave board members misinformation. Neither Robinson nor DelBene immediately responded Tuesday afternoon to emails seeking comment about the reprimand.

Robinson’s contract was extended last year through June 2021 in a close board vote.