GEA President Warns BOE of Teacher Burnout, Staff Shortages

During Thursday’s Board of Education meeting at Central Middle School, also available to watch via Zoom, GEA president Lil Perrone gave an update about the alarming results of a recent Connecticut Education Association (the state teacher union) survey of about 8,000 teachers.

Perrone cited the new CEA survey results noting that 74% of teachers said they were likely to retire or leave the profession early.

In 2021, the percentage was 38%.

In 2022 it was 55%.

“Nearly two thirds of educators would discourage friends and family members from becoming teachers,” Perrone said. “Sixty-four percent said discourage, 36% said encourage.”

From the CEA survey. Sept 2023.

“These numbers were shocking last year,” said CEA President Kate Dias in a release from CEA. “And we sounded the alarm that something must be done to address our underpaid, undervalued, and under-resourced teachers. Unfortunately, actions to reverse the continued exodus didn’t materialize, and now we are faced with the same dire circumstances and a shortage of professional educators in our children’s classrooms.”

From the CEA survey. Sept 2023.

Top proposals to address educator shortage included raising salaries.

Graphic from the CEA survey.

Top needs and wants from teachers surveyed were for more planning time, eliminating non-teaching duties and excessive paperwork, more effective disciplinary policies, reduction in class sizes, and increased mental health and behavior safety to support students.

“Frustration and burnout levels continue to rise, with three-quarters of teachers feeling negative impact,” Perrone said. “What does that mean here for Greenwich?”

Fortunately, Perrone explained, last year there were 100 openings in Greenwich Schools at the start of the year. This year there were fewer openings and the district was fortunate to fill, with just a few openings remaining.

Still, she warned other nearby school districts that are competing for teachers are raising their salaries.

“Other districts are catching on,” she said. “Bridgeport just negotiated their contract. They got a 17.9% raise. They are comparable to Greenwich now. Ansonia is number one for starting salary with $63,000. Bridgeport is just under that. Greenwich’s starting salary BA salary is $57,000 and a Masters is $63,000. What does that tell you?”

Perrone warned that teachers won’t want to commute to Greenwich for almost equal salary.

“They’re going to stay in their area and work in their schools until they get their tenure and maybe come down here. We may not be as fortunate as we’ve been in these couple years because salaries are getting competitive.”

Perrone said the CEA survey cited data from the American Psychologists Association that one third of teachers reported that they’d experienced at least an incident of verbal harassment or threat of violence from students.

“That happens here,” Perrone said. “I’m sorry to say it does. Part of that is resources – supporting our budget.”

She noted that this year about 200 students enrolled in Greenwich Schools after the budget was completed.

“Think about that. That could be seven or eight teachers we’re short. It could be support staff – paraprofessionals.”

“Lack of resources can and will at times escalate school violence. It’s not just any one thing – there are a lot of reasons why. Students are still experiencing the hardship of the pandemic. The soft skills – how to organize and do different things. There are hardships involved. Students are dealing with trauma. There aren’t enough interventions. We have to look at this seriously.”

“The Greenwich teachers are feeling the stress, anxiety and lack of support,” Perrone continued. “That takes money.”

She noted that while paraprofessionals are not included in the GEA, they are a vital asset for student and classroom support.

“It’s supply and demand,” she said. “Every district is short subs. Every district is short paras. We have to be smarter and have a better business model to attract those professionals. They do so much in the classroom and they don’t even make minimum wage. If you’re a .7 para in Greenwich you don’t even get insurance.”

Last April, without mentioning party affiliations of Board of Estimate and Taxation members, Perrone vented her outrage at what she called deplorable BET cuts to the schools budget.

This week, Perrone said, “We need to have the BET approve requests for interim funding and the RTM approve funding – it’s for our children, and to retain teachers.”

She described Greenwich Schools as an investment in the future and an economic driver for the town.

“When it’s time to vote – and I’m not telling you how to vote – please vote for our children and for our schools.”

Greenwich municipal elections are on Nov 7.

Greenwich Free Press -

GEA President Warns BOE of Teacher Burnout, Staff Shortages

By: greenwichfreepress | October 22, 2023