West Hartford Education Association - WHEA

06/07/2026

Still celebrating at the WHEA booth! Come to say hi and spin to win a prize!

06/06/2026

Thank you teachers, for lighting the way!

06/06/2026

Come join us at Celebrate West Hartford!

04/17/2026

Dear Members,

I hope you are enjoying the last few days of what has felt like a summer-like break. I wanted to make you aware of some concerning news that we have recently been hearing. The Board of Education approved its budget with a 6% increase over last year’s total, which already reflected a reduction of more than $1.3 million from the originally proposed request. That approved amount is now part of the overall town budget, which is scheduled for a vote this coming Monday, April 20, 2026.

We are hearing reports that there may be proposals to further reduce the education budget by an additional $1 to $3 million. Cuts of that size would be significant and would almost certainly affect staffing and programs that support our students.

At a time when West Hartford already ranks 92nd in per-pupil expenditures, additional reductions would move us further in the wrong direction. If you are able, I encourage members and community residents to consider reaching out to Town Council members, the Town Manager, or attending the Town Council meeting on Monday evening to express support for the Board of Education’s proposed budget and the needs of our schools.

Please also consider speaking with neighbors and other community members about the importance of maintaining strong support for our students, teachers, and programs. Your voice helps ensure that the impact of these decisions is clearly understood.

Thank you for your continued advocacy and commitment to our schools.

In solidarity and thanks,

Brian Putkonen

03/30/2026

Dear Members,

I hope you are all enjoying the last minutes of your weekend and have had some time with family, friends, and better weather. I have just finished my fourth viewing of the previous West Hartford Board of Education budget workshop and completed 24 pages of notes. I will include the link below. In summary, Wow!

I will say that the BOE, at the last minute in a year-long process led by a couple of BOE members, put the Superintendent on the spot and asked for additional suggestions of possible reductions to the BOE budget. This is despite the Superintendent already working to identify efficiencies while avoiding cuts that would affect the quality of education in West Hartford. The Superintendent’s proposed budget is in line with or lower than that of surrounding districts, as he pointed out during the budget workshop. So far, I have not seen or heard the Town Council asking the BOE to reduce its budget. West Hartford’s grand list is experiencing unprecedented growth, which helps mitigate the impact of any approved Town or Board increases. The Superintendent’s proposed budget would result in an increase to the mill rate that is comparable with inflation and does not yet factor in the impact of continued grand list growth.

I cannot stress enough the importance of listening to this workshop, especially the last hour or so. I would encourage all of you to find the time to listen. Frankly, the discussion concerned me. It suggested a disconnect between the Board and the actual work taking place in our schools. Programs were mentioned as possible reductions based on personal opinion, without research or a clear understanding of the legal and policy requirements surrounding them. For example, Board policy requires each school to have access to a certified Library Media Specialist. Similarly, programs such as QUEST help the district meet its responsibility to identify gifted students within the special education definitions. Quest is an opportunity for students who require an outlet not available during the standard school day. For some students, it may be the reason they want to come to school and what drives them to succeed. World language in the elementary schools was made available as an opportunity for all students and is taught by professionals who are certified, skilled, and eager to share their excitement for learning an additional language and exploring new cultures (not high school students volunteering, but contracted professionals just like all other teachers).

It was also concerning to hear a board member suggest that a menu of cuts with amounts be presented when nobody in the community has had time to review, suggest, or argue against these cuts. If the cuts are a legitimate possibility and not manufactured for an exercise, then all parties should be warranted ample time to discuss and determine their feasibility. There are many meetings throughout the year for these discussions, well before the budget process even begins. It is clear there is still important work to be done to ensure a shared understanding of both of our roles. Please take the time to listen to the meeting, especially that last hour.

Teachers and students should continue doing what they do. You are succeeding and building the accomplishments that are celebrated across this district. You are the ones teaching and learning to read, enjoying the library, working on projects, solving new equations, and exploring new languages and cultures. You are performing at the highest levels while maintaining strong outcomes at an average per pupil expenditure rate (92nd out of 169; we were 1st in 1975). I hope that all of us who support this system continue working together at the same high level to ensure these successes remain a defining part of education in West Hartford.

Please watch and share your reactions with the Board of Education, the Town Council, and your friends!

Link to Board of Education Budget Workshop #2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPo7Au57oE4

In solidarity and appreciation,

Brian Putkonen

WHEA President

7:00 p.m. - Public HearingFollowed by Board Budget Workshop :I. Call to OrderA. Roll CallII. Budget Discussions - Workshop #2Budget ReviewIII. Adjou...

09/15/2025

In following our Teacher of the Year's opening theme song... "Let's Get This Party Started" the WHEA (West Hartford Education Association) wants to invite you to our first social gathering of the year on Friday, September 26, 3-6PM at Gastro Park in WH. Please see the link attached to RSVP.

Dear Members, The WHEA would like to start our year with a social gathering to say "Welcome" to all our new and returning members.. We will be hosting our social gathering on Friday, September 26 at the Gastro Park in West Hartford. The event will begin at 3:00 and "officially" end at 6:00. The WHEA...

08/11/2025

https://cea.org/no-breaks-no-prep-teachers-take-grievance-over-staffing-shortage-to-arbitration/

West Hartford teachers are heading to arbitration over a grievance about the consequences of special education staffing shortages after the Board of Education failed to address their concerns at a meeting last week.

08/06/2025

West Hartford teachers express frustrations with not getting adequately paid for long hours

Some West Hartford educators believe they've been stretched too thin and want to be paid for extra hours. They took their fight to the school district on Tuesday.

08/02/2025

Dear Members,

I hope that you are finding some time to relax this summer and unwind. We all know that a new year is coming with all of the excitement and preparation that it brings. We would ask that you take a few moments out of your summer activities and encourage you to attend the public grievance hearing next Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. It will be held in room 400 ( at least at this point). We ask you to join your colleagues and support your association in defending your work rights and conditions. While these issues may not deal directly with you, they affect each and every one of us in our attempt to protect that which is right and that which has been agreed to in our contract. There are three grievances scheduled to be heard. We are hoping to come to an agreement before that time on at least one of them but we are still waiting for proposed paperwork regarding salary lanes and we have reached no agreement regarding missed lunch and prep and extended work days for some of your colleagues. I did want you to be aware of the written response from WHPS in the level 2 hearing regarding lost prep and lunch times.

Quote from WHPS regarding the level 2 grievance:

"As a remedy, the association seeks compensation for the alleged lost preparation or lunch time, despite the fact that nowhere in the parties' contract does it obligate the Administration to do so,and the Association cannot point to any provision, policy, or practice that would require the Administration to grant such a request."

I hope that you find this response as disturbing as I do and that you join us in defending your right to a duty free lunch ( as provided by state statute), and persuading WHPS to do the right thing.

Brian Putkonen
WHEA President

07/15/2025

Tonight's Board of Education Grievance Hearing Meeting has been postponed due to failure by the BOE to publicly post the meeting according to rules and regulations that apply to CT Boards of Education.