"So, the parents feel as though it's their responsibility to shape the schools, which then shape the kids, right? So, because I can't get past the parents, do I really have as much of an influence on the kids as I want? I try in my own way … But right now my job is to hire the right teachers."
In another conversation with the journalist, he says, "Do we work for the parent or do we work for the kid?"
"We work for the kid," he answers.
The journalist responded, “So, it’s not about the parenting?”
"It shouldn't be, I don't think,” Boland said.
Boland made additional comments about the application process saying that he wouldn’t hire an applicant who would choose siding with a parent when asked the hypothetical question below: "So, in a meeting with the parent, you propose the plan you develop for your student to develop these reading skills and these concepts, and the parent disagrees with you, how do you handle that?"
If they answer that they would side with the parent, "they don't get the job," he said.
Healy, speaking on behalf of the Catholic dioceses of Connecticut, said that “It is our hope that this is an isolated incident and not reflective of all the dedicated teachers, administrators, and support staff, who are trying to provide a quality education to our children.”
He added, however, that “this is an important moment for all elected officials to denounce these practices and to guarantee that any parents or student who do have concerns about the quality of education be respected and heard.”
“Our nation was founded on the inalienable right of freedom of religion. Any attempt to infringe on that right, no matter what faith, must be a priority of those we have entrusted to enforce those laws,” he said.
Multiple public officials responded to the comments, including the state’s governor, Ned Lamont [D].
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”Discrimination of any kind has no place in Connecticut, especially in our public schools. This is not aligned with our Connecticut values. The Connecticut State Department of Education is aware of the incident, has been in contact with Greenwich Public School administrators, and is monitoring the situation’s progress,” he said.
Condemnation of the comments also came from a state senator Ryan Fazio, Greenwich Selectman Fred Camillo, and local state representative Kimberly Fiorello.
Joseph Bukuras is a journalist at the Catholic News Agency. Joe has prior experience working in state and federal government, in non-profits, and Catholic education. He has contributed to an array of publications and his reporting has been cited by leading news sources, including the New York Times and the Washington Post. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the Catholic University of America. He is based out of the Boston area.
