Massena teachers protest changes

MASSENA — The Massena Federation of Teachers is planning a "demonstration of solidarity" to protest recent personnel changes.

Chad L. Simpson, the union's president, said the reorganization plan, which affects more than 50 teachers, was made without input from the union, students or parents. The demonstration is planned for 7:15 a.m. June 24 at the high school.

"In no way it is going to be an act of intimidation toward the board or superintendent," Mr. Simpson said.

In a letter sent to area media outlets, Mr. Simpson said the union was "deeply concerned" with how Superintendent Roger B. Clough II and the Board of Education arrived at their reorganization.

"As professional educators, our primary concern is for the educational and emotional well-being of our students," he wrote. "While we understand that change is a fact of life that none of us can escape, our issue with this restructuring plan is the manner in which it was arrived at and disseminated."

Mr. Clough, however, said he thought those sentiments are misguided.

"I question why the MFT would question, and why they are so concerned about, changes that are happening," he said.

"What I've been trying to convey, as I've been trying to tell people, as superintendent, I am responsible to taxpayers and I'm also responsible to teachers," he said.

The reorganization was necessitated by financial realities, he said.

"I have to be fiscally responsible," he said. "Right now, I'm trying to position our district and our teachers to prepare for the future. The budget looks very bleak."

He took issue with the union's position that the public should have been part of the decision-making process.

"I don't know any district where it's common practice to include parents and students in a discussion of this. That isn't common practice," he said.

Mr. Simpson said the union would be "closely examining" the plan.

"An in-depth review of its proposed movement of teachers and resources and its claim of fiscal responsibility will be examined and shared with all of Massena Central School District's stakeholders," he said. "It is our hope that this information will lead to an appropriate restructuring plan that best serves the students of the district."