Mallozzi on Patrona: 'We Value the Dedication of Employees'

Saxe Middle School fifth-grade teacher Michael Patrona is a "real decent, good guy" who has coached sports teams in New Canaan and been deeply involved in the community, so it's a good thing he'll be able to return to the classroom, the town's highest-elected official said Monday.

Thankfully, a solution was reached by the district, union and Patrona to keep the popular teacher in front of students and in the classroom where he belongs, First Selectman Rob Mallozzi said (see video).

"I truly think that we all want to show that we value our employees," Mallozzi said.

Patrona on March 22 had been asked to leave Saxe for failing to keep his teaching certification current, and his status had been uncertain—despite a  groundswell of support from parents, colleagues and students—until the district put out a joint message March 29 saying that the two sides were working things out and he'd be back in the classroom as soon as possible.