Mccarthy appointed new executive director
The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education said Monday that Patrice Mccarthy will become its executive director while also continuing her role as general counsel.
The change comes after CABE Executive Director Robert “Bob” Rader decided to step down from his position at CABE, according to the organization. Rader served 26 years in the position.
Rader contributed to “strengthening the advocacy, membership, finances, field services, policy services, publications and technology of CABE as well as guided the Association and its members through a pandemic,” the organization said in a statement.
“Bob was a leader extraordinaire in extremely tough times. He has been able to balance issues of diversity, equity, inclusion in the work of all Board members from the smallest urban areas to the largest city districts,” CABE immediate past President Don Harris said in the statement. “I wish him nothing but the best with his retirement.”
Mccarthy has served as CABE deputy director and will keep the general counsel role, the organization said.
“Our newly appointed Executive Director Patrice Mccarthy is well positioned to lead CABE and continue this tradition of excellence,” Liz Brown,
president of CABE and member of the Waterbury Board of Education, said in the statement.
Leonard Lockhart, CABE first vice president and member of the Windsor Board of Education said, “Ms. Mccarthy is primed to be our new Executive Director. She has developed relationships and a reputation with the Connecticut General Assembly, media and all affiliate partners of advocacy and legislative command of educational issues that impact our member districts.
“We are confident that her leadership will take us to the next level with historical knowledge as a guide. I wish her great success and fulfillment,” he said.
Mccarthy said she is “excited to have the opportunity to serve CABE as Executive Director.
“CABE has a distinguished history dating from 1906 in fulfilling its mission to assist boards of education in providing high quality education for all Connecticut children through effective leadership,” she said, in the statement. “Our school boards and public education system are an essential component of our democracy. In these challenging times maintaining civility in public discourse is critical. I am energized to work with the CABE Board of Directors and staff to continue to move CABE forward.”
The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education membership includes 151 school districts representing 90% of the state’s public-school population, according to the organization.