UPDATE: The closure of Brennan-Rogers Magnet School in West Rock has left former teachers grappling with significant challenges as they transition to new roles. This urgent situation has unfolded just weeks before the start of the 2025-2026 school year, as teachers reflect on the emotional toll of losing their beloved school community.
On June 17, 2025, teachers at Brennan-Rogers were blindsided by a last-minute meeting called by school officials. Molly Seely, a librarian at Brennan-Rogers, described the day as “heartbreaking,” as she was unable to say goodbye to her eighth-grade students. Instead, she faced the grim reality of the school’s impending closure, a decision driven by a projected $16.5 million budget deficit, confirmed by New Haven’s Board of Education.
The downsize was a shock to the staff, who had been hearing unconfirmed rumors about the school’s low enrollment of just 132 students. In a meeting led by Superintendent Madeline Negrón, the staff learned that their community would be disbanded, leaving them to navigate a difficult transition period.
Latrice Peterson, a former special education resource teacher, described the closure as “very traumatizing,” highlighting the adverse effects on mental health for many staff members. Teachers had only two weeks to pack up their classrooms, receiving a mere three hours’ worth of pay for their efforts, according to former teacher Ahmed Maklad. This inadequate support has drawn criticism from the New Haven Federation of Teachers, which has filed a grievance against the district.
Seely expressed her frustration, stating that while the district assisted with transporting some materials, it hardly covered the essentials needed to create a functional classroom. Many teachers, including Peterson, had to bear the costs of their moves, hiring help and renting trucks to relocate. “We were really bum-rushed into this,” Maklad said, emphasizing the lack of preparation for the new school year.
The transition has not been smooth for many. Maklad, now teaching at Betsy Ross Arts Interdistrict Magnet School, faces classes of up to 27 students, a stark contrast to his previous maximum of 15 at Brennan-Rogers. He noted, “With a classroom of this size, with one teacher, the level of education is not the same.” The challenges of managing diverse student needs in larger classes have raised concerns about the quality of education being offered.
The strain of the sudden transition has also affected students. Maklad lamented the impact on relationships, stating that students were left without continuity in their education. “Students are constantly being left behind to deal with the next teacher,” he said.
Despite the hardships, some former staff members are finding ways to support their students. Barbara Averna, who transitioned to King/Robinson Interdistrict Magnet School, shared her efforts to maintain connections with former students. “The difficult part of the move was missing the families that I was used to being around,” she said.
Meanwhile, Paulette Bosley, another teacher who moved to Mauro-Sheridan Interdistrict Magnet, expressed a desire to remain connected to her colleagues. “We may not have all got along on every single day, but we knew how to have each other’s back,” she stated.
As the school year progresses, the emotional scars from the closure of Brennan-Rogers remain fresh. Teachers continue to navigate their new environments while grappling with the loss of a community that felt like family.
The New Haven Public Schools district has stated that the changes, while necessary to address budget deficits, have undeniably impacted both teachers and students. With the ongoing challenges, many former teachers are considering their futures in the district.
As the situation develops, the community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes the needs of both teachers and students in the wake of this abrupt transition.
