Reprinted from The Trumbull Times © Copyright 2008
June 5, 2008

And you thought your annual reviews were uncomfortable.

By a unanimous vote, the Republican Town Committee passed a No Confidence resolution regarding School Supt. Ralph Iassogna and School Board Chairman Steve Wright (D). The vote essentially declared that the town's GOP considers the two men not up to the task of managing the school system.

"This is our way of making a statement, as a party, that we are serious about education, and we are concerned about what's going on," said RTC spokesman Mark Smith, a member of the town's finance board that reduced the school board budget request by some $2.7 million. "We think Ralph Iassogna's actions are not good for the people of this town or the students in the schools, and we're not afraid to say we want change."

After stating the party's commitment to a strong school system, the resolution lists six examples of where the school board and administration have fallen short.

Specifically, the resolution accuses Iassogna of: "Consistently seeking to spend more of our taxpayer dollars" instead of managing finances in a more responsible manner; failing "to identify and implement operational cost savings;" responding to proposed budget cuts by "threatening to eliminate interscholastic athletic programs and talented and gifted programs" and for never deferring a pay increase to set an example of fiscal discipline, "nor has he instituted reductions within the central office administration to forego further cuts to student programs."

The republicans also criticized Wright for his alleged failure "to hold Mr. Iassogna accountable for these proposed cuts by insisting that he offer alternative plans ... that will achieve cost savings that will not compromise student programs" and rebuffing attempts by the school board's two Republicans that Smith said would have saved money without affecting student programs.

A political ploy

Wright called the resolution a divisive attempt to play politics with the town's students.

"Obviously, this is politically motivated, which would be pretty consistent with their message over the last few years." he said.

Wright pointed out that Iassogna had, in fact, recommended more than $900,000 in administrative cuts this year following the finance board's reductions.

"That's just not a legitimate criticism," he said. "We were able to preserve the core academic programs, and there were never any meaningful alternatives that would have had a real impact on our deliberations."

The main complaint seems to be the board's 5-2 vote against a resolution by Republican members Loretta Chory and Deborah Herbst to reduce the payments into the systems's retirement account in order to prevent an increase in the sports participation fees and reductions in TAG, the town's gifted and talented program. The savings comes from replacing outgoing teachers, with an average salary over $85,000, with new teachers, at an average %55,000 salary. The four Democrats and unaffiliated member Joann Tyborowski rejected the measure, preferring to retain flexibility in salaries should experienced teachers from other school systems apply.

Herbst, who is not a member of the RTC, called the resolution a "powerful statement"and added that at least some of the criticisms were valid.

"Because of what Loretta and I tried to do with the retirement savings, there was quite a bit of dissatisfaction in town," she said.

Chory, who is an RTC member but was not present for the vote, said the party was unhappy with the board's seeming unwillingness to consider alternative means of cost savings with less direct impact on students.

"Some of our suggestions were discussed, but a lot more weren't," she said. "Knowing that we budgeted for 20 requirements, and we have actually had 24, that means there was $140,000 available to spare the TAG program."

Had she been present at the meting, Chory said she would have abstained from voting."

"I have the highest regard for the RTC, but I also work with Ralph and Steve on a regular basis," she said. "I want to continue to develop that professional relationship."

The center of the storm

As the man in the midst of the controversy, Iassogna declined to make any detailed response to the vote, saying that "everyone is entitled to their opinion."

He did, though, make it clear that his role is to oversee, and budget for, the best possible school system. While taxpayers have plenty of representation on the Town Council and finance board, the school board's role is to lobby for the best interest of the students, he said.

"The state Legislature has made the town's boards separate, and we respect the process," he said. "Though I would hope politics would have no place on a school board, as superintendent, it is my responsibility to do what is best for the students and not what is politically expedient."

Many times in the past residents have run for the school board intending to "cut waste," only to find that the task wasn't so simple once elected, he said.

"Lots of people want to cut the budget, only to get on the board and realize that there are many things we have to deal with as a system," he said. "And it doesn't serve anyone in town to have a political board."

Finally Iassogna called criticism of his salary unfair. Even Smith acknowledged deferring an annual raise would have been a purely symbolic gesture when dealing wit ha budget gap of over $2 million.

"I don't even sit down with the board to conduct an annual review until July, well after the budget process ends," Iassogna said.

Not a promise

Finally, the question remains whether the Republicans intended the vote as a call for Iassogna's resignation or an attempt to turn next November's elections into a referendum on school costs. Smith said no.

"This year's budget process took us aback, and we feel the board does not demand accountability from the administration." he said.

Still, he stopped short of demanding resignations or promising that a GOP majority next year would meant the end of Iassogna's tenure, though it clearly would mean the end of Democratic control and thus Wright's chairmanship.

"Change is good if the people vote and demand it," he said. "But let's not make more of this than it is. This is simply a statement that we as a party unanimously are not confident in the ability of Ralph Iassogna and Steve Wright to manage the school system."