Understanding the Stamford Board of Education: A Comprehensive Guide

The Stamford Public Schools (SPS) is governed by the Board of Education (BOE), a body of nine elected officials. This article provides a detailed overview of the BOE, its responsibilities, and its role within the Stamford community.

Composition and Structure of the Board

The Stamford Board of Education (BOE) consists of nine elected members. Each BOE member is elected to serve three consecutive years and is eligible for an unlimited number of terms. The BOE also has five working committees, each chaired by a BOE member.

Public Engagement and Communication

Community members are encouraged to utilize the "Time for the Public to be Heard" option during the regular monthly board meetings. Time for the Public to Be Heard is included on the agenda for the regular board meeting of each month. The public is welcome to attend most committee meetings and special meetings, but public comments are not part of these agendas. Community members should know that the BOE will not respond to questions or comments during the regular board meeting. Meeting agendas are posted at least 24 hours in advance with the Town Clerk and on Diligent.

Key Responsibilities of the BOE

The main responsibilities for all board of educations across the United States are selecting and supervising the superintendent, setting policy and developing budget. Given these responsibilities, the stakes are high for those involved.

Selecting and Supervising the Superintendent

One of the most critical duties of the BOE is to select and supervise the superintendent of Stamford Public Schools. A superintendent consulting firm will soon be engaging stakeholders and identifying needs (January-February); searching for superintendent candidates (February-April); and working with this new board of education to conduct interviews and help a finalist take the helm (April-June). The superintendent should be able to back up all budget decisions with hard data. It is crucial to have an experienced superintendent.

Policy Setting

The BOE is responsible for setting policies that govern the operation of the Stamford Public Schools. Updated policies help maintain high standards. Unfortunately, this BOE has refused to assess its own policies (e.g., 5000.1 Equity and Diversity). In addition, the $400,000 Day Pitney LLP investigation (2022), current records continue to show that 74% of policies have not been reviewed for at least 10-25 years and only 26% have been updated in the last 6 years-a very disappointing and expensive track record for this BOE. For current and new BOE members, this should be a strong indicator as to why achievement and administrator accountability remain stagnant. High achieving districts have consistent systemic review cycles in place for policies, curriculums, professional development and assessments.

Budget Development and Oversight

The BOE plays a crucial role in developing and overseeing the budget for Stamford Public Schools. Budget determines program priorities. In Stamford, the superintendent’s budget is set in December and presented to the Board of Education and stakeholders in January. By February the budget is voted on and then it becomes the Board of Education’s budget. Ideally, if any major changes are to be made, it is in December or at the latest, early January. Since budget transparency has been an ongoing issue in this city, the new board of education has their work cut out for them. All programs need to be reviewed for effectiveness. Knowing follow-through and achievement results have been less than stellar in the SPS, this needs to be an immediate priority with budget discussions:

How much does each program cost (e.g., non-profit, 4×4 flexible schedule, lunch program, etc.)?
How many students are involved in each program?
Using hard data to support each program-not just qualitative-what is the success record?

New members should not just pass a budget until they are presented with real facts. Empty promises and lack of results should not be the deciding factor.

Challenges and Opportunities for the New Board

Being elected is exciting and you have an opportunity to make many changes. Small or large, your most challenging mission is to improve learning. Hopefully, after 16 years, the Stamford Board of Education is ready to take this advice seriously. Ruled by one party - six majority and three minority members - there always seems to be ulterior motives. Just maybe, this time around, the new team of nine can get business done in a healthy manner.

Prioritizing Students

Students need to take priority, not political gaming. We need parents, not bureaucrats, to make decisions about what is best for all children. Case in point, the BOE President was just voted out and two current Stamford Public School (SPS) parents and one former parent, were voted in on November 4th. The Stamford community (families, educators and taxpayers) sent a loud message-stop playing politics with our kids.

Read also: SU and the City

Collaboration and Inclusivity

The BOE consists of nine members, not six. The last six years, the majority party has used the caucus method to garner votes before BOE meetings. Those who are not loyal to this method are pushed out and minority members are often ignored or bullied. Can this entitled version of ‘democracy-our-way’ be finally eliminated? Will these individuals collaborate and listen? Will they stand on principle and integrity?

Exercising Authority and Accountability

Just five BOE votes are needed to make change. Watch how our BOE members vote. Do they know BOE state law? Do they understand that although they delegate responsibilities to the superintendent, they have the ultimate authority? Do they truly listen and collaborate with students, parents, and teachers about all issues? Do they take the superintendent’s evaluation seriously? Do they prefer to listen to city and contracted lawyers who bend state law and policies or support truth? BOE members can operate powerfully when they bloc together in a bipartisan manner and stand up to unspoken political party rules.

Additional Resources and Services in Stamford

The City of Stamford provides numerous resources and services to its residents. Here are some examples:

Reporting Issues: Report pets that are loose, off leash, biting people or other pets. Report damage to Apron of your driveway. Report debris removal piles that were not picked up during the established City-wide pick up. Report Drainage Issues/Concerns from an active development. Report erratic driving by City of Stamford employees. Report any illegal dumping in public areas or on City streets. Report concerns of someone selling without a license. Report a leaf pile that was not picked up during the established City-wide pick up. Report sewer complaint such as sewage backing into residence, toilets, and sink drainage. Report sediment and erosion control or other quality issues from an active development. Report sewer overflowing from a manhole onto a City Street. Report a case of sidewalks not being cleared of snow 12 hours after a storm. Report a down or leaning tree. Report hazardous trees or nuisance vegetation situated in a regulated area.
Permits and Applications: Apply for a permit for any structure, internal renovation, replacing, electrical work, plumbing work, heating and cooling work, demolishing or building. Stamford residents with a "Dump Permit" are allowed to dump 200lbs. free per day. Access Land Use Documents/Forms, Such as a zoning permit, Sign permit and a patio/cafe permit. Apply, change, remove or obtain a Resident Parking Permit. An online application for the Subdivision of Property.
Information and Access: See fiscal year budgets, including current year operating and capital budgets. Get information on voting in elections, including how to register to vote, election day hours, polling locations, ballots, absentee ballot information and all other voter information. Access to the FEMA Map Service Center, the official public source for flood hazard information produced in support of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Find your voting location for the upcoming municipal, state or federal election using your street name and number. Find the day of the week for your trash pickup an recycling pickup at your address. Get a Resident Golf Permit, valid at both Sterling Farms and E. Access to text and map change application forms for the Master plan. A list of parking garages and lot fees. Search Property Assessment's Real Estate Database. Find out what roads are scheduled to be paved and a map of all recently paved streets. Information on Stamford's recreational programs, leagues, and employment opportunities (including registration). Information on business trade names, including trade name registrations and trade name look up.
Health and Human Services: Information on how to get a Covid vaccine in Stamford. The Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Housing Services is here to help Stamford renters understand their rights and responsibilities, while providing available resources. The Immunization Action Program (IAP) works with physician offices to ensure that all area children are being immunized according to schedule. The Stamford Department of Health & Human Services seeks to provide essential information to Landlords and Property Managers by helping you to stay informed, feel supported, and have success in managing your rental properties. You may bring ticks to the Stamford Department of Health Laboratory to be identified and tested for the causative agents of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum), and Babesiosis (Babesia microti).
Other Services: View open jobs in the City of Stamford and get applications for open jobs. Inform us of any concerns regarding your City Parks. Request information relating to the regulations administered by EPB. Submit a service request. Request a flood zone determination. Have a general question for the Highways Department? Pay parking tickets online easily via entering a citation number. Find and adopt pets, like dogs and cats. Simple Recycling is a company that will pick up your textiles curb side. The Share the Fare program is for Stamford residents over the age of 62 and for disabled individuals. Terry Conners Ice Rink, located in beautiful Cove Island Park in Stamford, has served the skaters of Stamford and its surrounding neighbors since 1973.

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