The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Bruneau cites recent dispute
Says disagreement over special ed led to her firing as principal
TORRINGTON — Former Torrington Middle School Principal Valerie Bruneau, who was fired by the school district last week after less than 90 days on the job, said she was let go because she questioned and fought for the provision of a paraprofessional to address a student’s special education needs.
Bruneau was hired to become the principal of the city middle school before the current school year, coming to the city after a decade as a vice principal at Bailey Middle School in West Haven. She was attracted by the challenge and size of the district, and the people there — it felt like home from the start, she said.
The job had largely been a pleasure, she said — her fellow staff members and
the students were great, there were positive initiatives completed and underway.
“I loved the job. Everybody knew that,” said Bruneau in an interview this week. “I was very proud to be the leader of that building.”
There was an outstanding issue, though — the school was out of compliance with a student’s Individualized Education Program, as it had not supplied a necessary paraprofessional. TMS students needed 25 in total, but had received 22, Bruneau said — an issue across the district.
She had been in regular contact with Superintendent Denise Clemons and Director of Student Services Le’Tanya Lawrence, urging that this be rectified, to be told first that they would consider the matter at a later date, and then that Lawrence would re-evaluate the need and get back to her.
On Friday, she said, she met with Clemons and was dismissed.
Bruneau said she was told this was done during her probationary period, the case would “cost the district in compensatory education for this child,” and that Clemons had spent a great deal of time on the matter. The case was raised specifically during her exit interview, she said.
Bruneau said she believed Clemons felt the need to hold someone accountable for the situation because legal counsel had been retained by the parents, and the child had missed the last five days of school.
Being fired was startling, Bruneau said Monday. The district had the right to dismiss her, since she had been working there for less than 90 days, but there was no warning that she was going to be fired, she said.
“I was shocked, because I knew that I had been advocating for the child as well as for the other noncompliance issues that we were experiencing because of the shortage of paras,” said Bruneau. “I was very surprised, absolutely, because I had been very much, in my opinion, been doing my job and trying to make sure all the IEP needs were met.”
There was no feeling of escalation or mounting pressure, Bruneau said. The district hadn’t made a decision, but Bruneau thought their needs would be supported eventually. The concern was aberrant, though — IEPs are legal requirements, and are typically addressed.
“I can’t say that I’ve ever experienced this. It’s the law,” said Bruneau. “When a child has an IEP, that’s a legal binding document, so it’s not really a choice for implement it or not implement it... this was a fact of somebody did not provide the resources that they were mandated to provide.”
She said other concerns regarding the continuum of special education needs, resources and scheduling were being worked on, but necessary resources had not been provided. There were non-compliance issues at TMS, and further examination of the district’s program and its adherence to policies and procedures should occur, she said.
Other than this particular issue, she said she was listened to — Clemons was consistently responsive to her phone calls and emails.
“Up to this point, I certainly felt that it was a positive environment. I really have nothing negative to say about the experience up until that day,” said Bruneau.
Clemons issued a statement Monday in response:
“As a District, we do not and will not comment on the specific details of a personnel matter. Furthermore, we will not be drawn into a public spectacle regarding the same,” Clemons wrote. “However, I want to state unequivocally that as we had a legitimate and proper basis for doing so, the District stands by its action in terminating Ms. Bruneau’s employment.”
“Further, as a result of the Federal laws regarding student confidentiality, I cannot comment on any individual student or case as we are obligated to maintain the confidentiality of all information regarding any particular student,” said Clemons. “However, the Torrington community members should be reassured that our teachers and staff are committed to the education and well-being of all our children and work tirelessly to meet their educational needs in full compliance with all legal obligations.”
Clemons and Lawrence did not immediately respond to messages seeking further comment on the matter.
Bruneau said she had asked Clemons to reconsider her dismissal, but she had not done so. Now, she hopes another district will provide her an opportunity to resume her career as an educator, as she continues to advocate for students from beyond Torrington. Bruneau said she has raised her concerns in a Facebook post and in letters to area newspapers.
Bruneau worked for the city schools for 84 days. While she is disappointed at how things turned out, she said she is hoping for good things for Torrington students in the future.
“I hope that, from here going forward, the needs of not only the special education students, but all of the students, are met. I hope that parents find a voice and that they’re heard,” said Bruneau. “I absolutely wish them the best of luck.”