By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Westport parents had their chance tonight to air concerns over the departure of Bedford Middle School science teacher Ejay Clark. But Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon said his position has not changed. 
Former Bedford Middle School teacher Ejay Clark (c) sits next to his attorney, Lewis Brey, at tonight’s Board of Education meeting. Brey is a former member of the board. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Hamilton Laux for WestportNow.com
The Board of Education hearing, which at times was punctuated by shouts of frustration by parents supporting Clark, was forced by parents who filed a petition under state statutes requesting it. The petition listed 20 questions the parents wanted answered.
Clark resigned last spring from his position after being told school officials would not recommend him for tenure, but now seeks a hearing on his status with the district. School officials, however, said he has no standing to request the hearing.
Landon said at the end of tonight’s hearing that he had not heard anything to change his mind on Clark’s future with the district.
Board Chairwoman Mary Parmelee asked Landon if he had heard anything to change his mind.
Landon said he and other administrators do not base their decisions on the popularity of a teacher. Instead, he said, they base decisions on standards and evaluations from administrators.
“I have heard nothing to change my position,” he said.
Landon did say that he expects and hopes that if any other teacher is in a similar situation there are crowds just as large to support that teacher.
Superintendent of Schools Elliott Landon (l) listens as Board of Education attorney Tom Mooney addresses tonight’s board meeting. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Hamilton Laux for WestportNow.com
Parmelee then turned to Tom Mooney, the board’s attorney, and asked if the board had any standing to hold a hearing on Clark’s status.
Mooney said a hearing was not within the board’s jurisdiction.
Parmelee said the board is just as frustrated as the public.
“You say we are hiding behind the law and technicalities,” she said. “We’re not hiding behind technicalities. We’re attempting to folow the law.”
The only person who could bring a hearing forward was Clark, she said, and he made a choice to take the school board out of the dispute.
Clark also spoke publicly for the first time before the board.
“I am moved and grateful for all of the support,” he said. “I never claimed nor would I ever allow myself to say I am a perfect teacher.”
Clark said he does know he has a deep love for teaching and has a dedication to be the best.
He said he came into the 2005-06 school year after having the best year of teaching in his career.
Bedford Middle School parent Sally Mulvey (c) was one of many parents in the audience tonight who voiced opposition to the time restrictions imposed by Board of Education on petitioners supporting Ejay Clark. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Emily Hamilton Laux for WestportNow.com
“I still worked hard to be the best,” he said. “All of the sudden I became seriously deficient. My teaching skills were questioned.”
One of the administrators who observed him, he said, left 33 minutes before the class ended.
“I love to teach in Westport,” he said. “I love my students, I love the parents and I love my colleagues.”
Clark asked board members to review the files parents provided that included his evaluations and recommendations.
I am a childhood/lifelong friend of Ejay Clark and am not a Westport resident. Nonetheless, I have been watching this saga develop through the reports in Westport Now and am perplexed by the Superintendent’s and Board’s apparent inflexible dissociation from community needs and disrespect for the wishes of the community that they serve.
As the parent of two bright children, one who just graduated sixth grade and one who will be a high school sophmore in September, I believe strongly in the importance of insuring that our children receive a stimulating education.
It is remarkable to me that the Westport school administration continues to adhere to rigid positions to “save face” rather than admit or accept that a reversible mistake may have been made and take appropriate actions to avoid the loss of a popular, talented and stimulating teacher.
Doesn’t the community have a say in who is teaching and stimulating the minds of their children? What is the agenda here?
My husband and I are longtime friends of EJay and Kim Clark and have been following the petition and hearing process with the Westport School Board via Westport NOW.
I am also an educator (college and elementary) and understand what can happen once tenure approaches. It is extremely unfortunate that the Wesport Superintendent and Board have made such a poor decision in regard to an excellent, dedicated and enthusiastic teacher such as EJay. The parents and student of Westport obviously understand what a loss this would be.
We are very dismayed and hope that the School Board will be wise enough to reconsider their position as it will benefit the community at large. They should put aside the politics and do the right thing!
Although I am not a resident of Westport, I find it amazing that the city of Westport would allow such a teacher to go. I’ve known a few past students of Mr. Clark (from Stamford), and they were all very enlightened by his teaching approach.
It’s also quite alarming that the BOE claims to not have jurisdiction over these events. If the BOE doesn’t have a say, then who exactly does?
Who gains by Mr. Clarks’ departure? It’s unfortunate for the City of Westport that the seemingly personal agenda of some equal such a great loss for the community.
Are there budget issues at stake here?, is the BOE ‘targeting’ Mr. Clark so as not to offer him tenure?, or is there a power struggle going on that only a handful are aware of?
Having said all of that, Westports loss will be some other towns gain, because there is no doubt that Mr. Clark will get another position, in a different district.
Fairfield County is lucky to have him, even if the powers-that-be in Westport don’t know it.
I feel for the students and parents, but quite frankly, hope that Mr. Clark comes to my town, as we are always looking for outstanding teachers, that emgage the students to the point of actual intrest.