Are New London schools making the grade?

NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) -- A shoreline school district is not making the grade. The superintendent wants the state to step in and take over New London's public schools.

News 8 talked to parents in New London to find out if they thought schools were making the grade.

"My son did good so I don't...he did great," said Tracy Diggs, "so I didn't see any problems with anything."

However, not everyone agrees.

"We're creating a mess right now," said Leo Clinton. "We're not educating our kids the right way and now you're talking about taking teachers from it, it's not a good thing."

With 60 layoff notices sent out and a continuing struggle between the school district and city council for funding the superintendent also has his doubts.

"The term I used has been 'disemboweled' meaning my assistant superintendent has left because she was wondering if she would even have a job," said Dr. Nick Fischer.

Fisher, whose contract ends in 2014, took the rare step of asking the state to get involved.

"What it would mean is the state, for example, would say you have to go through certain training," said Fischer. "It could also mean that they would appoint a special master."

The superintendent's request to have the state take over comes after the state performed a governance and management audit summarized in a 20 page report.

That year-long study found concerns about the effectiveness of the Board of Education.

"Board members felt that they were very effective," said Fischer, "other people that were interviewed felt that they were dysfunctional."

"They should step in try to help," said Gina Carter.

"It's our problem we should deal with it," said Clinton.

News 8 has learned the Mayor has met with the state and he says no definitive plan or intervention has been formulated at this time.