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Paul Vallas comes to Bridgeport
After working in New Orleans following hurricane Katrina, Paul Vallas, former school district chief in Chicago and Philadelphia, takes up the role of Bridgeport school district superintendent. -
Vallas contract extended to three years
Paul Vallas’ three-year contract extension is granted by a 5-3 BOE vote. Carmen Lopez, in attendance at the Board of Education Meeting, immediately makes her intentions to sue public that night. -
Plaintiff Carmen Lopez refers to the Bridgeport BOE as "Hitler Youth"
Former judge and plaintiff in the Vallas case Carmen Lopez refers to the tactics of the Bridgeport Board of Education and newly elected Chairman Rev. Kenneth Moales Jr. as akin to those of "Hitler Youth." -
Lawsuit filed
A lawsuit against Vallas is brought by retired Superior Court Judge Carmen Lopez whose husband Superior Court Judge Dale Radcliffe works in the same courthouse as the judge in the case, Barbara Bellis. -
State BOE Approves UConn Course
The State Board of education gave its OK to a specially designed leadership training course at UConn. -
Motion to dismiss filed
Defendants in the case file a motion to dismiss. Bellis is the civil presiding judge in Bridgeport court who assigns cases to Radcliffe. Bellis’ time as a judge overlapped with Lopez, who retired from the bench in 2008. -
Judge rules against Vallas
Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis orders Bridgeport Superintendent of Schools Paul Vallas removed from office. Bellis rules that Vallas, did not complete a school leadership program as required by law. Photo by Connecticut Post -
Rally Held for Vallas
A rally for Paul Vallas is held, Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch calling Vallas "valiant" and describing him as a knight on a white horse. -
Arne Duncan weighs in
U.S. Education Department Secretary Arne Duncdan weighs in on Paul Vallas with the Huffington Post, calling it "fascinating." “Student loan interest rates — that doesn’t get fixed,” Duncan told the Huffington Post. “The crisis in terms of quality and perhaps alarmingly inferior education in Philly — that doesn’t get fixed. But the one thing that does happen yesterday is that a superintendent is told he can’t hold his job. That’s fascinating to me.” -
Malloy offers support
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, though calling the Vallas case a local issue, expresses support for the superintendent: "Do I think that someone who was superintendent of Chicago, Philadelphia and New Orleans is qualified to be a superintendent in the state of Connecticut, the answer is yes.” -
Bellis terminates stay
Judge Barbara Bellis terminates a stay that allowed Paul Vallas to remain in his position while the appeal process proceeds. -
State BOE Chairman says court overstepped
State Board of Education Chairman Allan B. Taylor says during a board meeting that "The trial court stepped into the role that is confided in this board and the commissioner by statute." -
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Motion filed to keep Vallas working
Lawyers for Paul Vallas file a motion intended to keep the superintendent in office while the appeal proceeds. "There was no evidence of any actual, identifiable harm to anyone that would arise if the stay remains in place pending appeal," wrote attorney Steve Ecker. -
Official appeal to be filed
Appeal scheduled to be filed with the Superior Court, by order of the State Supreme Court. -
BOE votes to pay Vallas legal fees
The Bridgeport Board of Education votes to continue paying legal fees associated with Vallas' appeal. -
Supreme Court reinstates stay
The State Supreme Court has reinstated a stay of execution, allowing Vallas to remain on the job while his appeal process continues. -
Defendant brief argues the court 'second-guessed' the state BOE
In its first brief to the Supreme Court, Vallas' defense team argues that judge Barbara Bellis had no authority to second-guess the state Board of Education. -
Second defendant brief due
The second brief from defendants is due to the Supreme Court -
Plaintiff briefs due
Reply briefs from plaintiffs are due to the Supreme Court. -
Oral arguments set to begin
Oral arguments before the state Supreme Court are set to begin, at 10 a.m. -
Vallas leaving for Chicago
Paul Vallas announces that he's leaving Bridgeport to become Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's running mate -
Supreme Court rules in Vallas' favor
The state Supreme Court has ruled in Vallas' favor, overturning judge Barbara Bellis' earlier decision. Vallas' defense team argued that administrative processes had been ignored, an argument the court agreed with.
