Focus groups set in search for new superintendent

HADDAM — The Regional School District 17 Board of Education is seeking public input as it begins the process of filling the superintendent of schools vacancy.

Schools chief Howard Theiry announced his resignation in July to lead the BurlingtonHarwinton regional education system.

The Board of Education has contracted with Trumbullbased Cooperative Educational Services to help with the process, according to a news release. Consultants will hold several onehour focus group meetings at the HaddamKillingworth Intermediate/Middle School and HaddamKillingworth High School, according to the release.

Discussions will include opportunities for many different constituencies to share ideas that will help CES develop a proper leadership profile for the next superintendent, according to the board of education.

The focus group schedule follows:

Aug. 20: Intermediate/ middle school cafeteria, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., teachers; 7 to 8 p.m., parents and community members

Aug. 21: High school cafeteria, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., elected officials; 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., parents and community members; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., teachers; 1:15 to 2:15 p.m., noncertified personnel; 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., high school students; 4 to 5 p.m., administrators; 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., parents and community members.

If one of these assigned times poses a scheduling conflict, people may attend another session.

CES encourages community members and employees to take an online survey regarding skills and qualifications necessary to succeed as superintendent at https://bit.ly/2YMrsbY. The survey closes Aug. 22.

The focus group and survey data will help CES create a leadership profile, which will be posted on the district website. It will guide the board of education through the search process, according to the release.

Tom Jokubaitis, who has a long, distinguished career as a school leader in Connecticut, will serve as the chief consultant for the search.

For information, visit ces.k12.ct.us/searches.