New Haven Independent

The parents showed up at Monday’s Board of Education meeting to make their complaint in public.

That’s far from the full story, said BOE officials, who were visibly pained at the parents’ testimony. They said a fair and sensitive resolution is in process, and the family has a meeting with the superintendent on Wednesday.

A systemwide evaluation of suspension policy is ongoing in the New Haven Public Schools, with various experts and parent groups being solicited for their input. Click here to read a previous story on the subject.

The Sheridans, residents of Derby and parents at Sheridan Communication and Technology Interdistrict Magnet School, said they went public with their story because of what they felt were inappropriate policies and inadequate responses particularly from the school’s principal.

The incident occurred, according to Shelli Sheridan’s testimony, on Feb. 26. The next day was an honors dinner, which meant a great deal to their son, Michael, and he was in danger of missing it. Sheridan said she talked to the principal, Eleanor Turner, and then to Deirdre Welds, a director of instruction, the same day. The suspension was reduced to one day, but it had to be served on the day of the dinner, which the child missed.

William Sheridan said, “Why couldn’t he serve it on a different day! Anyway, who ever heard of suspension for buying a candy bar? Why not detention?”

At the heart of the matter, from an institutional point of view, appears to be confusion on the part of parents, such as these, as to what offenses lead to what punishments. The Sheridans said they repeatedly asked for the student handbook or policy guidebook indicating that buying or selling candy was an offense punishable by suspension, and one could not be found or provided.

Deirdre Welds said she preferred not to comment on the particular matter of the Sheridans’ situation except to say the story as presented is partial, that it is ongoing, but that in her view proper protocols were followed and the child and parents were treated in a fair and sensitive manner.

Previous installments in the Independent’s series on parental involvement in local schools:

Parents Want Say On Suspensions

Brandon Earns His Blue Shirt

Mr. Via Procures The Evidence

Son Gets Pills; Suspension Policy Targeted

Campaign for Recess Mounts

Dad Never Misses A Game

Dad Goes To The Top, Gets Results

Parents, M&Ms Join In Math Lesson

Xena Tunes Up. Mom, Too.

Brandon Aims For The Blue Shirt

Mr. Via Confers, Brings Ice

Night-Shift Waitress Hangs Up Apron

Xena Aces Bingo

Mom Gets A Politics Pep Talk

Dad Meets The Teachers. All Of ‘Em

Ms. Lopez Moves Brandon’s Seat

Night-Shift Waitress Gets Xena To Class On Time

Dad Marked Present

Fifth-Graders Get “Amistadized”

Board of Ed To Parents: Get Involved!

Sumrall Looks To Parents

Task Force Hones Plan for Kids

The New St. Martin DePorres Comes Home

Parents Graduate

Parents Hit the Books

“Parent Power” Hits The Park

Good-Bye Recess. Hello Take 10.

Sumrall Looks To Parents

Task Force Hones Plan For Kids

Parents Graduate

Parents, Teachers, Docs Seek An Earlier Start

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