NL school board member mostly unfazed after censure

Catala says he wants to keep working with BOE but sees his path diverging in ways

New London — Less than a week after the Board of Education voted to censure member Jason Catala over a perceived breach of school board bylaws, the seven-term board member says he remains mostly unfazed — perhaps even more motivated — by the move.

“It was a way of getting their point across. They don’t like me writing letters and speaking out on issues. In no way do I feel I’m breaking board policy. I think it stems from Harbor School and the stance I took there,” Catala said of the school board’s vote at a March 29 meeting.

“It just kind of means nothing. Nothing’s really going to change,” he said. “This is their attempt to shut me up but I’m not going to back down.”

The censure, essentially a reprimand, achieved with a 5-2 vote, was in part a reaction to Catala’s public calls for the resignation of the principal at Harbor Elementary School.

Catala is a frequent critic of school administration and has taken to Facebook on occasion to express views that he says are in line with the same people who helped him become the top vote-getter in the last two elections. Catala, a Democrat who was previously a Republican, enjoys support that crosses party lines.

Susan Tierney, the lone Republican on the board, voted against the censure. Tierney said the vote essentially served as a public reprimand or shaming of a fellow board member.

“I really just decided that I don’t think that’s why I got elected — to judge other board members,” Tierney said.

Tierney said she wanted to stay out of taking sides when it comes to support or criticism of Catala’s actions but understood his agitation; she had her own strong opinions and was upset by the incident at Harbor.

Board member Jefferey Hart said Catala’s public criticisms of school staff crossed a line and his vote to censure Catala was based on the fact that Catala was speaking publicly about what should be a confidential personnel matter. Hart called Catala’s comments “derogatory” and “inappropriate,” “spoiling the waters, so to speak, on an issue that could come up before the full board.”

Catala’s calls for Harbor Principal Jason Foster’s resignation was a reaction to a school walk by kindergartners that coincided with a national walkout aimed at school gun violence.

Catala joined others on social media in decrying the event and raising questions about whether the young students should have been allowed to participate. He called for Foster’s resignation after learning that Foster apparently was unaware of the walkout. Interim Superintendent Stephen Tracy said the walk was inappropriate in part because proper parental permission was not obtained. Tracy has said he considers the matter closed.

Hart said Catala had made his statements prior to a closed-door discussion on a report Tracy generated about the incident. Disciplinary actions are the purview of the superintendent, he said, and any disciplinary action taken would likely become public only if the subject of the action called for a public hearing.

Hart said his aim was to maintain the credibility of the board.

“I addressed my remarks directly to Jason and asked him to respect the relationship he has with us and that we have with staff,” Hart said. “At a minimum we’ve made a statement ... to say this is not OK. Hopefully everyone looking at the board and how it operates sees it’s not governed by its most volatile member.”

Catala, the chairman of the school board Policy Committee, said he will pursue the Harbor issue by examining the policies related to the Harbor School incident, such as cold weather protocol, field trips and staff discipline. He was expected to start those discussions at a committee meeting on Wednesday.

He called the board’s vote a “badly orchestrated attempt to publicly shame me,” especially when coupled with the public release of a grievance against him filed by the New London Administrators Association related to his comments. The grievance initially was included on the meeting agenda but later pulled and taken up by Tracy instead.

The grievance highlighted possible violations of board policy, including a civility code that includes the following lines: “Clearly distinguish opinions from facts. And, render all decisions based on the available and verifiable facts and my independent judgment, and refuse to surrender that judgment to individuals or special interest groups; ensure that all sides have a fair opportunity to present their respective positions...”

Catala said he would like to continue to work as a team with the school board but sees his path diverging in ways.

“If I’m going to be a scapegoat, that’s fine. After the meeting I received a number of emails of support. Many people feel I’m being bullied up there,” Catala said.

Most of the school board’s meetings are recorded and available online. Adding to the intrigue of the school board meeting in question is the fact that the video is not yet available. The Day made a request for the video on Wednesday.

“It was a way of getting their point across. They don’t like me writing letters and speaking out on issues. In no way do I feel I’m breaking board policy. I think it stems from Harbor School and the stance I took there.” JASON CATALA