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By Dr. Rebecca Hamman

Stamford parents, students, educators and stakeholders, the facts are in and it’s your turn to speak out about what is happening in the Stamford Public Schools (SPS). Please share your concerns with the current Board of Education (BOE) and consultants managing the new superintendent search (December 2025-April 2026). The secret to creating a stronger district is HOW we work together.

Here are three wishes all voters need to know:

Wish #1: Set Higher Standards for Success

Currently, under the supervision of the outgoing superintendent, SPS has more administrators than ever before (84+ at the cost of $21-22M), yet achievement scores remain stagnant. Even more concerning, the Board of Education and District Strategic Plan 2022-2027 never held the current superintendent accountable for School Improvement Plans (SIPs)—only 5 out of 23 were completed in 2025. Formal systemic audits were also overlooked over a 6-year period (e.g., Special Education, Human Resources, Busing, etc.).

Since the main goal for any BOE should be to monitor and improve learning, here is a 4-year comparison (2021-2025) using data from CTSDE EdSight (Public EdSight). This table shares an achievement snapshot of SPS. We can do better:

These additional issues highlight the difference between success and mediocrity in the SPS. If accountability is the key to success, why does the BOE majority party remain complacent?

• The current high school ‘flexible’ schedule is not about achievement; fewer courses are now offered; students can miss 6-months of core subjects; it is inequitable, tutors are being hired by some families; there are special education IEP compliance concerns; fewer exams and assessments are being administered; with limited teaching staff, students are receiving Pass/Fail grades. Are we truly educating or just graduating students?

• The middle school students are losing 36.2 days per quarter in math, science, social studies or ELA (pending course rotation). Why is it acceptable to lose almost a full marking period (45-days) in each core class?

• From 2022-2025, data was never collected on the effectiveness of high school 90-minute classes…why?

• Will the high school attendance policy be enforced this year? If students miss 40 minutes of a 90-minute class (using the new flexible schedule), will it still be considered just a tardy?

• Gr. 6-12 Integrated Math curriculum is being thrown out…why?

• Gr. 6-12 mid-terms and finals have not been consistently administered since 2020…why?

• K-5 curriculums were not aligned with assessments and report cards…why?

• K-5 CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) skill book orders were overlooked…why?

• K-8 Media Centers have been closed and information literacy curriculum not taught consistently since 2020…why?

• Only non-profit results for Stamford Cradle-to-Career (SC2C), Stamford Public Education Foundation (SPEF), and Domus are featured. Knowing other Stamford academic non-profits exist, why are these programs poorly promoted, and results not shared?

• How can all parents consistently engage with SPS using one platform?

• 2025-2026 student turnover…175 kindergarten enrollment dip; 500-600 students districtwide are also no-shows…why?

• 2021-2025 teacher turnover…approximately 30% of 1,500 SPS full-time (FT) teachers have left the district (retirements, resignations, interim contracts)…why?

WISH #2: Elect New Board of Education Members

The Stamford BOE selects and supervises the superintendent along with setting policy and budget. This board consists of 9 members (6 majority & 3 minority elected officials). Sadly, the majority members have a reputation for refusing to collaborate with stakeholders and ostracizing those with disfavored views. Mayor Simmons, the 10th member of the BOE and majority party leader, continues to remain silent and allow this dysfunctional behavior—the same approach she uses with her city boards and
commissions.

In addition, majority BOE members often bend state and district policies to fit their needs rather than do what is best for all kids. Although state law gives ultimate authority to the BOE in making decisions, the majority party uses politics over kids to strong-arm the budget and implement detrimental initiatives (e.g., ‘inflexible’ high school schedule, ‘less-than-academic’ middle school schedule, special education last minute ‘restructure’).

There are three open seats on the BOE in November. Elect current SPS parents (*) and a recent SPS/college graduate (▪) who will make healthy decisions…because they care about kids, as well as holding the superintendent and central office accountable (O’Brien*, Werely*, LoDolce▪).

Wish #3: Participate In SPS District Decision-Making

Nine BOE members are making decisions that directly affect your success as families, students and educators. It is time to get involved and bring positive changes to SPS! Please speak out with your vote as well as attend upcoming Tuesday Regular BOE meetings (Time for Public to be Heard Stamford Public Schools - Home)—October 28, November 25, December 2, January-June TBA.

Sign up to speak before 6pm.

CALL TO ACTION:

1. Know the Issues. Your input is essential at Regular BOE meetings and in the new superintendent selection process.
2. Elect new BOE members who will listen—LoDolce, O’Brien, Werely.
3. Elect a new Mayor who cares about our schools—Tarzia or Chery (both former BOE members).
4. Be courageous…wishes do come true!

Dr. Rebecca Hamman currently serves as a member of the Stamford, CT, Board of Education. She is a career educator (teacher & administrator) and has worked 11 years elementary and 15 years secondary. A resident of Stamford for 39 years, she cares about students being successful in school and beyond. Her comments are her own, and do not represent the official views of the Board of Education or its committees.

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