Stamford School Board to Discuss Principals' Grievances

Controversy over involuntary reassignments of three school leaders to be addressed at virtual meeting

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:04pm

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A hazy, dreamlike scene of a school hallway or classroom, with blurred shapes and muted colors, evoking a sense of transition and uncertainty.As Stamford schools face leadership changes, the community grapples with the potential impact on students and staff.Stamford Today

The Stamford Board of Education is set to discuss a grievance filed by the Stamford Administrative Unit (SAU), the union for administrators, related to the involuntary reassignment of three school principals by the outgoing superintendent. The board will decide how to respond to the grievance, which claims the transfers were retaliatory.

Why it matters

The potential principal transfers have sparked controversy and protests from students and staff, raising concerns about retaliation, age discrimination, and the leadership transition in the Stamford school district.

The details

The grievance stems from separate conversations reported to have happened between Superintendent Tamu Lucero and three school leaders: Westhill High School Principal Michael Rinaldi, Rogers International School Principal Cathleen Cummings, and Stamford High School Principal Matt Forker. Lucero allegedly told Rinaldi and Cummings they would be involuntarily moved to new positions for the upcoming school year. The SAU claims the transfers were retaliatory, as Cummings and Rinaldi had previously filed complaints against their supervisors.

  • The Stamford Board of Education will discuss the grievance during a virtual meeting on Tuesday, April 6, 2026, starting at 6 p.m.
  • Lucero is leaving the district in three months to take on a new role as director of the private International School of Kenya.

The players

Andy George

Stamford Board of Education President.

Tamu Lucero

Outgoing Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools.

Michael Rinaldi

Principal of Westhill High School.

Cathleen Cummings

Principal of Rogers International School.

Matt Forker

Principal of Stamford High School.

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What they’re saying

“Cathy Cummings filed a complaint against her supervisor and a director. Shortly thereafter she was informed of a potential transfer from Rogers to director of Apples and was asked when she planned to retire. The director position is not only a different role, but a position for which she has no experience.”

— Stamford Administrative Unit, Union for administrators

“When I spoke to Cathy about moving to Apples, I was not interested in nor did I ask about when she planned to retire. In fact, during our conversation I attempted to steer the conversation away from the topic of retirement.”

— Tamu Lucero, Outgoing Superintendent

What’s next

The Stamford Board of Education will vote on a response to the SAU grievance at the end of Tuesday's virtual meeting.

The takeaway

The potential principal transfers have sparked protests and accusations of retaliation, raising concerns about leadership transitions and the treatment of experienced school administrators in the Stamford district.