New Fairfield superintendent named Sherman school chief
SHERMAN — A seasoned educator will take on the role of superintendent of the Sherman school district — Pat Cosentino.
Cosentino, who is retiring at the end of the academic year as the superintendent of New Fairfield Public Schools, will become the interim, part-time superintendent for The Sherman School beginning July 1.
“I think it's a wonderful community,” said Cosentino, 62, a Bethel resident. “It's a small school, which allows you to get to know the families and the students and the staff at an intimate level. I'm excited.”
Cosentino, who has been superintendent in New Fairfield since 2018, is very acquainted with the town of Sherman, as some students from that town attend school at New Fairfield High School.
“Their high school students come to New Fairfield and they also go to Shepaug Valley High School, where I was superintendent for six years,” she said.
Shrinking enrollment
In March, citing reasons pertaining to decreased enrollment and a possible transition to a part-time role, Sherman School's superintendent Jeff Melendez announced he would step down from his position.
Sherman School's enrollment has been steadily decreasing since 2009. In 2009, there were 444 students; in 2013, there were 372; in 2017, there were 301; in 2020 there were 259; in 2022, there are 236. By 2025, there are projected to be about 221 students enrolled, according to the Peter Prowda enrollment study from 2021.
A firm has been hired to audit the operations of the administrative team in the district, “to see what's the best administrative structure,” Cosentino said.
Part-time role
Cosentino, who announced her plans to retire in February, has a one-year contract in her new role but said she's hoping the district decides to stay with the part-time model.
“It's just what I'm looking for at this stage of my life,” she said.
She added the new opportunity “was meant to be.”
“As I transitioned from fulltime work, I knew I wanted to do something, and this just was a little gift that just kind of happened,” she said.
The days of the week she'll be working is “flexible.”
“We'll play it by ear and see what best works for the district,” she said.
As far as any changes she plans on making once in her new position, she said it's time to revise the school's strategic plan.
“It runs out in 2023 as well as their communication plan,” she said. “So, those are two things that we'll be working on.”
Sherman School is a fraction of the size of New Fairfield's district, with about 2,200 students. When comparing the two districts, Cosentino said both are “excellent” and added it's “impressive” that both remained open during the pandemic, "which was very hard but very beneficial for our children and families.”
Board of Education Chairman Brian Berlandi said Cosentino is “an experienced educator and administrator.”
He said the decision to hire Cosentino came “after a review of many applications, the interview of various applicants by the Board's Ad Hoc Committee in conjunction with the Advisory Committee made up of members of all our relevant constituent groups, and the Board's interview with three final candidates, each of whom was impressive in his/ her own right.”
With the extra time Cosentino will have, she'll get to pursue some of her personal interests.
“I already have two cruises planned — I have a cruise to Alaska in July and I have a cruise to Hawaii in October,” she said.
Additionally, she said she loves Broadway shows and going to New York City.
“I like the Yankees, watching baseball games and football games, and the Giants and so, I'll do that, too,” she said. “I'm hoping to read more and do some exercising.”
Cosentino said she's looking forward to meeting the Sherman parents and community.
“I will do some ‘teas with Dr. C'. I'm not a coffee drinker,” she chuckled.
Additionally, she said she'll hold brown bag lunches with staff.
“I'll start to meet with them and see what they're looking for and how I can support them,” she said. “I'm interested in getting to know everyone.”