New London — Concerned parents and caregivers spoke with city and school officials Sunday about topics such as bullying, COVID-19 quarantines and staff vacancies during a forum organized by Step Up New London.

The grassroots social justice organization led by parents of color, arranged the gathering to brainstorm ideas and solutions to what they say are the schools' long-running communication problems with parents and increases in school fights and bullying.

"This all came about because of the lack of response from the schools," said Regina Mosley, Step-Up's community organizer and school parent. "You talk to parents and their needs aren't being met."

Mosley served on the Board of Education for the past four years, two as president, but did not run for reelection in November.

Mosley brought up the need for clearer guidance from the schools on COVID-19 policies and protocols. She said her unvaccinated daughter at New London High School was sent home due to COVID-19 exposure and told to quarantine despite showing negative results. Meanwhile, she said, a vaccinated student with COVID-19 was able to return to school without having to quarantine.

Step Up Co-Director and Organizer Maegan Parrott said parents do not receive adequate messages from school administration about decisions and incidents that are not related to sports.

Trina Charles, co-director and organizer of Step Up, said parents' phone calls were dismissed and they were not properly notified about a social media post referencing a threat at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School a few days ago.

Elaine Maynard-Adams, president of the Board of Education, was joined at the meeting by members Nathan Caron, Bryan Doughty, Jeffery Hart and Danni Cruz.

The members acknowledged Mosley's and Parrott's concerns about clearer guidance on protocols and better communication.

The group then discussed the many vacancies and staff turnovers affecting the quality of education for the students.

Maynard-Adams said the schools were short 22 paraprofessionals, which "creates burdens everywhere else."

Doughty said he recognized it was a lower paying job but the board has worked on improving contracts with paraprofessionals.

Charles was once a paraprofessional. She said the issue was not so much the pay but the lack of support they received.

"Look at their work conditions," Charles said.

Charles said emphasis needs to be placed on safety measures for paraprofessionals, the amount of work they must do and their mental health.

Parents also discussed the benefits of implementing a "Dads on Duties" program that would enable parents to volunteer at the schools and help monitor children.

Mosley said parents are not allowed on school premises with school officials using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse. She said the process of allowing parents to volunteer in the schools has also become more difficult due to fingerprinting and background check requirements. She said a lot of Black fathers in New London are often left excluded from the programs for having committed petty crimes.  

Mayor Mike Passero said it would serve as a good solution to allow parents in the schools and help "modify behaviors in the classroom" with their presence.

"We know enough about COVID-19 and safety measures," he said. "COVID-19 should not be an excuse."

"All children are our responsibilities," Mosley said. "We need things right now and we need to come together as a community."

Mosley said she hopes this is the first of many conversations to find creative ways inside and outside of the schools that will help students.

She said Step Up is planning to have a follow-up conversation in March about implementation of the changes parents seek.

j.vazquez@theday.com