Schools

Guarino Breaks Silence on 'Rent'

"Rent" presented challenges and requires more planning to execute, Trumbull High School Principal Marc Guarino said in a Dec. 3 letter to school officials.

He said that based on his research into how other schools presented the show, "this [planning] process will not meet the timeline for the spring of 2014."

He added while he fully supports the show, "We will bring 'Rent' to Trumbull High School following a model that has proven to be successful at meeting our intended learning goals."

The letter is the first public statement Guarino has made on the subject since he halted the production just before Thanksgiving. The move has drawn protests from students and parents since then.

"I have met with parents and received correspondences from community members and concerned individuals from around the country. The commonality I share with all these groups is the potential 'Rent: The School Edition' has to promote our district's mission statement and our school's core values and beliefs," he said.

"To date, I have not been presented with a plan to make this a reality for our students, staff and community. Without a thought-out plan, 'Rent' will be a missed educational opportunity. Without proper planning, "Rent" has the potential to become a speech rather than a meaningful dialogue to capitalize on all significant themes it presents.

"I am committed to developing this plan to best meet the needs of all students," he concluded.

Guarino also took issue with the approval process, saying he was not consulted in the play selection. "Whether or not a formal approval process was required in the past, these opportunities and challenges should have been shared with me, especially given the fact that I am new to Trumbull High School and the Trumbull Community."

Parents and students took the matter to the Board of Education at its meeting Dec. 3. Their remarks will be presented in a separate article.


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