Burke was a better supporter of Stamford’s teachers

The Stamford Democratic City Committee recently endorsed Ms. Jennienne Burke to fill the seat on the Board of Education recently vacated by Ben Lee. Her endorsement came after an open, transparent process in which five candidates were screened and four were nominated. Ms. Burke won with 23 votes. Another candidate, Ms. Jackie Pioli, received six.

In opposition to the SDCC's endorsement vote, the Stamford Education Association (SEA) endorsed Ms. Pioli without affording Ms. Burke — or any of the other interested candidates — the opportunity of an interview. Ms. Burke had been told the SEA was not considering any other candidates, so she did not request an interview. Meanwhile, the SEA Executive Committee made their endorsement on its own without polling members.

It's hard to imagine why the SEA would endorse Ms. Pioli rather than Ms. Burke. Ms. Pioli's record is hardly stellar in support of teachers.

1. Ms. Pioli opposed the addition of a co-principal at Roxbury School, the purpose of which was to allow administrators more time to be in classrooms helping teachers improve their practice. Ms. Burke supported this addition.

2. Ms. Pioli consistently voted against adding teacher growth/leadership positions to the budget. Ms. Burke supported opportunities for teachers to grow and lead.

3. In 2020, Ms. Pioli voted against approving the operating budget which contained 2,163 positions and benefits and against approving the grants budget which contained 223.3 positions and benefits. Ms. Burke voted to support our hard-working teachers and staff members.

4. In 2020, Ms. Pioli tried to defund the family advocate program, which helps classroom teachers stay connected with students and families. Ms. Burke supported the program.

5. Ms. Pioli opposed adding a position to support teachers in transitioning students to the Distance Teaching and Learning Academy. Ms. Burke supported the position.

6. Ms. Pioli opposed adding a Technology Instructional Support Specialist who helped teachers stay connected with their students during the pandemic. Ms. Burke supported the position.

7. In 2021, Ms. Pioli abstained on approving the SEA successor collective bargaining agreement after the union had ratified the agreement. An abstention is counted as a no vote. Ms. Burke supported the successor agreement.

8. Ms. Pioli opposed the contract with the Stamford Public Education Foundation to provide in-class Algebra I tutoring services. This service aids teachers in their efforts to bolster student achievement. Ms. Burke supported the program.

Given these facts, we are astonished that Ms. Pioli received the support of the Stamford Education Association. Ms. Pioli's record on providing teachers with the resources they need is abysmal. Ms. Burke's record on the same issues proves her to be a staunch supporter of our teachers, who work so hard to help our students succeed.

If Ms. Pioli is selected, we are concerned that the budget process, and the budget itself, will be adversely affected. We need board members who will advocate for the resources necessary to help our students achieve — a primary concern for our teachers, administrators, and parents. We would expect that our Board of Representatives' only goal would be to support what is best for our public school system, and in doing so they would use a candidate's previous record as a key criterion when choosing Mr. Lee's replacement. Actions speak loudest and the choice is obvious — Ms. Burke should be appointed to the vacant seat.

That said, we are compelled to question the motives of Ms. Pioli's supporters on the Board of Reps and on SEA's executive board. What possible reason could they have for choosing Ms. Pioli over Ms. Burke?

They owe our teachers, parents, and community an honest answer.

Stamford residents Glenn Dynner, Heather Dynner, Tracie Dinç, Jeffrey Herz, Rana Arshad Hafiz, Nikki Hurse, Zareen Husain, Brook Manewal, Marie Rocha, Jessica Vandervoort and Sue Yellen.