Hi all,
Would you be willing to write a quick note about the importance of middle and high school media specialists and how they should not be cut?  Stamford is proposing to cut them along with all library assistants.

And we just received a laptop for every single high school student.

I am sure this will be a violation of our NEASC accreditation and will need to be reported as it is a substantive change.

Thanks!
MaryR


Example:

Dear Board of Finance & Board of Education Members:


As a realtor in Stamford, we need our education system to be top-notch as it is a driving force in bringing new families here.
If there is a $14 million surplus that can be used to offset the current deficit, please reallocate this surplus as we want to highlight the education system and prospective buyers will choose other towns if you decide to reduce what was promised to teachers.  Teachers can not afford a pay freeze with insurance rates rising as well as all the expenses they incurred by being at home and using their own devices, internet and electricity.

Stamfordś population is different than neighboring towns and he teachers and students need adequate salaries to continue to perform their stellar work.  Families with children with unique needs (ELL, SpEd, low-income) flock to Stamford for the education.
Having sold homes to Stamford teachers, I know they are on a budget to begin with as some can not even afford to live in Stamford.  I also know that they are very competent and I would never want to know that they receive a pay freeze with rising costs now.

I want to tell prospective buyers how great the teachers are even during this Distance Learning era.   I want to say how impressed I am.  By freezing salaries, I fear that things might not be so good for the students and prospective families will read about it in the newspaper.  I want them to read about educators going above and beyond--that simply will not happen with a freeze/cut in staff or services!

We need teachers to not feel any more discouraged at this time with a freeze/cut.  We need students and educators to feel inspired as this would be a great sell for homes!  This could be a strategic move for Stamford--not freezing salaries--not making cuts in staff!  It shows the importance of the future!  It is an investment!

With all the technology needs with school at home, I want to brag to prospective clients about the fact that all high school students will be receiving a laptop.  With that, I know that the students will need help from teachers and support staff!

Mayor, please help the schools!  Any cut will not be in the best interest of our schools, students, or staff.
It is premature to enact concessions and education cuts when we are in the middle of a biennial state budget, town ECS dollars for the next year are in place, and we are waiting for guidance on how additional federal dollars for Connecticut and education will be apportioned.   Moreover, there is the very real prospect that Congress will enact legislation providing additional money to states and municipalities. As you know, educators have gone above and beyond in adapting to this pandemic, working long hours under trying circumstances to keep the education process going through distance learning, and have provided stability for students and families. Penalizing teachers and schools is the wrong course for students and families.  Clearly, as we move forward into the future, it will be important to maintain low class sizes that will allow for social distancing. To accomplish this, we should be encouraging smaller classes which means retaining or increasing the staff that we have.
I say NO to concessions. 

Thank you.


Feel to include any of these points.
Send to:  cwinterle@stamfordct.gov and CC:   BOEelected@stamfordct.gov
 
·  There is a $14 million surplus that can be used to offset the current deficit (reallocate this surplus)


·  Teachers can not afford a pay freeze with insurance rates rising
 
·  Our population of teachers and students is different than neighboring towns as there are unique needs (ELL, SpEd, low-income)
 
o Teachers have not received adequate PD for DL
§ Educators taught themselves or have had Library Media & Tech professionals help them
§ Teachers are constanting calling & messaging Library Media & Tech leaders in the buildings for support with passwords, logins, resources
 
o Students are not engaged or have many issues
§ Teachers and support staff have been calling and emailing home on top of setting up lessons
§ Hot spot issues
 
o The impact of a freeze on Stamford teachers salaries would not be the same as a freeze on other districts who have been using laptops at home for years and have been receiving specialized training on these tools
§ We need our teachers to not feel any more discouraged at this time with a freeze/cut
·  School-based supplies have been curtailed so therefore DL supplies & support should NOT be
 
§ We need students and educators to feel inspired
·  This could be a strategic move for Stamford--not freezing salaries! 
o Shows the importance of the future!
·  Staff have been going into the buildings to do work during Covid-19
·  High Schools are receiving laptops which will need to be maintained by media & tech building professionals
o HIgh School Media Paras & Specialists are needed


  • Mayor, please help the schools! 
  • Any cut will not be in the best interest of our schools, students, or staff.
  • it is premature to enact concessions and education cuts when we are in the middle of a biennial state budget, town ECS dollars for the next year are in place, and we are waiting for guidance on how additional federal dollars for Connecticut and education will be apportioned.   
  • Moreover, there is the very real prospect that Congress will enact legislation providing additional money to states and municipalities.
  • As you know, educators have gone above and beyond in adapting to this pandemic, working long hours under trying circumstances to keep the education process going through distance learning, and have provided stability for students and families. Penalizing teachers and schools is the wrong course for students and families.
  • Clearly, as we move forward into the future, it will be important to maintain low class sizes that will allow for social distancing. To accomplish this, we should be encouraging smaller classes which means retaining or increasing the staff that we have.
  • I say NO to concessions. 
  • Library Media Specialists may have a unique name but they are teachers too.  Another name for library media specialist is teacher librarian.  They are certified by the state teacher board.  Teacher librarians teach both students and other teachers.