During a recent New Haven Board of Education meeting, educators and parents voiced urgent concerns regarding the district's handling of contracts, safety issues, and allegations of harassment within schools.

A long-term substitute teacher, who has dedicated five years to the district, expressed frustration over the lack of competitive contracts for substitutes, highlighting that neighboring districts offer significantly higher pay. He emphasized the need for a fair contract to retain quality educators, stating, \"We need a contract. There are districts in this state that are making twice more than what we are making.\" His plea underscored the broader issue of teacher retention and the challenges faced by substitutes in New Haven.

Another speaker, Anna Marshall, raised a critical facilities issue, reporting that staff bathrooms in her school do not lock, creating an unsafe environment for teachers. She urged the board to address this longstanding problem, which has persisted for over a year.

The meeting also featured a poignant testimony from Tiffany Nelson, a teacher and mother, who detailed her daughter's experiences of harassment at Conte West Hills Magnet School. Nelson described a pattern of intimidation and retaliation against her and her daughter, claiming that school officials failed to act on her complaints. \"The district has failed not only this 9-year-old student but has also failed the entire family,\" she stated, calling for accountability and action from the board.

Florence Caldwell, another concerned parent, echoed these sentiments, sharing her family's struggles with the school system and the emotional toll it has taken on her granddaughter. Caldwell expressed disappointment in the district's promises to improve conditions, stating, \"We left that meeting so happy, so positive because we were assured that things were gonna change, but they did not change.\"

Evelyn Waters, an educational advocate, criticized the board for its lack of responsiveness to parent complaints and adherence to district policies. She threatened legal action if the board continued to ignore these issues, emphasizing the need for accountability and reform within the district.

The meeting highlighted a growing frustration among educators and parents regarding the district's handling of critical issues, from contract negotiations to student safety, signaling a need for immediate attention and action from the New Haven Board of Education.