Hartford · In the State

Parent Warrior Gwen Samuel Shares Why She Can’t Be Bought: “Our Children Really Need Us To Step Up And Protect Them”

Gwen Samuel, a Meriden mom and the founder of the Connecticut Parents Union, shares her story, explaining why she can’t be brought by either side of the education debate: Shirley Chisholm said  “There is little place in the political scheme of things for an independent, creative personality, for a fighter. Anyone who takes that role must… Continue reading Parent Warrior Gwen Samuel Shares Why She Can’t Be Bought: “Our Children Really Need Us To Step Up And Protect Them”

Hartford · In the State

The Connecticut Education Association’s Long Quest To Scrub Public Information On Alleged Child Abuse

In the face of investigations into the chronic failure of school employees to report child abuse, it appears the state’s largest teachers union has been working behind the scenes to scrub records that could aid in tracking patterns of abuse. Back in 2016, around the same time that Hartford’s Mayor insisted the Office of the… Continue reading The Connecticut Education Association’s Long Quest To Scrub Public Information On Alleged Child Abuse

Hartford · In the State

CT Parents Union Founder Tells State To Do Their Job: Asks That They Follow Up On Child Abuse Report

In case you’re wondering how done parents are with Connecticut’s State Board Of Education, Connecticut Parents Union founder Gwen Samuel explained it — in detail —  on Wednesday morning at their monthly meeting. Here’s the video of her testimony:

“Parents have to know that you are reading about their abuse and neglect,” to the state board of education during public comments. She’s talking about an Office of the Child Advocate report on mandated reporting that was released a few weeks ago. The report found that Hartford Public Schools routinely and systematically ignored allegations of child abuse. 

Since the report’s release, Hartford Public Schools responded by releasing an Action Plan, but Samuel says this doesn’t go far enough. 

“Do what you were appointed to do,” said Samuel, who wants the state board to step up and ensure that districts are complying with state law, referencing the groundbreaking CCJEF v. Rell ruling.  According to Superior Judge Thomas Moukawsher, the state has a “non-delegable” responsibility to provide free public education. Samuel argues this extends to protecting children from abuse — as it should.

Students

Does 35 Years of Service Absolve You? A Look at the Perez- Dickson Decision

The minority board members—in this case: Herman Illingworth, Leticia Colon and Thomas Mulligan—were “shocked, appalled and devastated” by the majority’s decision to allow Tisdale Principal Carmen Perez-Dickson to continue with the district. [“We are Shocked,” 10/31/2013] Last Wednesday, after over six hours of deliberation, the board decided to suspend, rather than terminate, Perez-Dickson. Perez-Dickson was… Continue reading Does 35 Years of Service Absolve You? A Look at the Perez- Dickson Decision