UPDATE: Former teachers of Brennan-Rogers Magnet School are grappling with significant challenges just weeks into the 2025-26 school year. The school, located at 199 and 200 Wilmot Road in New Haven, abruptly closed due to a projected $16.5 million budget deficit, leaving educators and students in turmoil.
The closure was confirmed on June 17, a day that was already emotional for many, particularly for librarian Molly Seely, who was unable to bid farewell to her eighth-grade students. Instead, she was summoned to a last-minute meeting with Superintendent Madeline Negrón, where the devastating news was delivered. “It’s never a good sign when administration from downtown starts filing in,” Seely recalled, recognizing the gravity of the situation.
With a low enrollment of just 132 students, rumors of the school’s closure had been circulating for weeks. Official confirmation came in July as the New Haven Board of Education approved the budget that would close the school, leaving staff with a mere two weeks to relocate their teaching materials. “It was very traumatizing,” said former special education teacher Latrice Peterson, who noted the sudden shift took a toll on her mental health and that of her colleagues.
The district provided scant support during the transition, offering just three hours’ worth of pay for packing, which many teachers found inadequate. Seely had to rent a storage unit for her belongings, emphasizing that the help received was only a fraction of what was necessary for a complete classroom setup. “That is maybe 10 percent of what makes up a classroom,” she stated.
Former teacher Ahmed Maklad, now teaching at Betsy Ross Arts Interdistrict Magnet School, expressed frustration over the abrupt reassignment process, stating he felt “bum-rushed into this.” He was given just 24 hours to choose his new position. “The level of education is not the same,” he lamented, highlighting that larger class sizes hinder personalized instruction.
In response to growing concerns, New Haven Public Schools spokesperson Justin Harmon stated that the district aimed to avoid layoffs by increasing class sizes, impacting both students and staff significantly. Teachers have reported feeling overwhelmed and unprepared in their new environments.
As the community continues to feel the effects of the closure, former staff members are finding solace in maintaining connections with each other and their students. “We may not have all got along on every single day, but we knew how to have each other’s back,” said Paulette Bosley, who now teaches at Mauro-Sheridan Interdistrict Magnet School. She shared how she still supports former students, helping them navigate the challenges of transitioning to a new school.
The emotional strain on both teachers and students remains palpable. “Students are constantly being left behind to deal with the next teacher,” Maklad noted, expressing concern for the continuity of care and education that students are missing.
As this story continues to unfold, the former staff of Brennan-Rogers are urged to share their experiences and advocate for better support in the future. The impact of this closure is far-reaching, affecting not just the teachers and students, but the entire community that relied on the school as a cornerstone of support.
Stay connected for further updates on this developing story.
