To the Editor:
As a newly elected member of the Stamford Board of Education, I carry with me the deep responsibility of representing the voices of students, parents, educators, and our broader school community. I ran for this position with a clear purpose: to be a champion for equity, transparency, and student-centered decision-making.
Let me begin by saying that I have great respect and admiration for Dr. Lucero. I recognize the dedication and effort that goes into leading a district as large and diverse as ours, and I know the intentions behind proposing a new flexible schedule are rooted in a desire to innovate and improve outcomes. However, as a former teacher, school administrator, and lifelong educator, I cannot in good conscience offer my full support for this proposed shift at this time.
The decision to implement a new high school schedule—a structure in which students take four classes per semester instead of the traditional eight throughout the year—raises significant concerns for me. While such models may show promise in certain settings, I am not convinced that this drastic change aligns with the needs of Stamford’s students or that the community has been meaningfully included in the conversation. We must ask: Who truly benefits from this change? Have we sufficiently engaged our teachers, our parents, and most importantly, our students?
I believe strongly in piloting new ideas, but I also believe that large-scale change must be met with thorough planning, clear communication, and evidence that it will support – not disrupt – student success. In the case of the new schedule, I have not seen compelling data or widespread stakeholder support that convinces me this is the right path forward, especially when so many other pressing priorities remain.
There are benchmarks to reach, achievement gaps to close, and support systems to strengthen. We are still recovering from the impacts of the pandemic. Our students need stability, academic rigor, mental health support, and pathways to college and careers. Our teachers need consistent professional development, manageable workloads, and trust. I want to spend my time on the Board advocating for these critical areas before endorsing a complete overhaul of our high school schedule.
This is not a decision I take lightly. I am not against innovation. I am, however, for intentional, inclusive progress. I am for the students who feel unheard, the parents seeking clarity, and the educators on the front lines who need tools, not more stress. I am for solutions that build bridges between our schools and our communities.
I remain committed to working collaboratively with my fellow board members and the administration to explore alternatives, listen deeply, and lead with integrity. However, until I see more alignment between this proposal and the voices of those I was elected to represent, I cannot support the implementation of this new high school schedule.
Our students deserve bold ideas—but not at the expense of being fully prepared, fully informed, and fully supported.
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Julienne Foy is a member of the Stamford Board of Education & Chair of Teaching, Learning and Community Committee