We, the undersigned, are concerned community members, parents, students, and staff of Stamford Public Schools, united in our belief that the role of school Office Support Specialist (OSS) is vital to the success of our schools. We respectfully urge the school board and administration to reconsider any proposal that would eliminate or reduce the number of school OSS positions in our district.

School OSS's play an essential role in the daily operations of our schools, including:

    •    Supporting administrative functions: OSS's handle essential tasks like managing communication, organizing records, and maintaining schedules, which allow administrators and teachers to focus on educational priorities.

    •    Assisting students, parents, and staff: School OSS's are often the first point of contact for families and provide crucial support to students, from handling attendance to addressing concerns and needs.

    •    Ensuring safety and efficiency: OSS's help manage emergency protocols, coordinate visitor access, and maintain a welcoming and organized environment.  These are just a small portion of the many responsibilities and duties that OSS's perform.

The elimination or reduction of these positions would significantly hinder the efficient functioning of our schools, negatively impact students’ experiences, and place additional burdens on already stretched staff.

We call on Stamford Public Schools Board and Administration to:

    1    Retain all current school OSS positions in the district.

    2    Recognize the critical role school OSS's play in creating an effective and safe learning environment.

    3    Prioritize solutions that maintain the support services our schools need to thrive.

We believe that by keeping school Office Support Specialists in place, we are supporting the success of every student and contributing to a better, more organized educational experience for all. 

Sincerely,

Stamford Public School Office Support Specialists