Search

Connelly also spoke with Mayor Elinor Carbone, Police Chief Michael Maniago and Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, he said, in individual interviews.

A few major themes have come through during the process, Connelly noted.

“The issue of stability, the concern about the turnover of superintendents was a big thing. The second theme I heard, again, was the issue of dealing with declining resources — it’s almost as a crisis situation. That was an important theme,” said Connelly. “To connect with the community — developing partnerships, bringing the community into the schools, was a recurring theme — not just from the private sector, but basically from everyone we heard from.”

Interim Superintendent Mark Winzler, as he addressed district educators at the annual convocation, also stressed stability as an important factor for the future of the city schools.

The district has seen a good deal of turnover in the superintendent’s position in recent years.

Cheryl Kloczko was hired to replace Christopher Leone in 2012, after Leone left the district in June 2011. Kloczko was replaced by Lynda Reitman, then the assistant principal at Torrington High School, on an interim basis in June 2015. Reitman, in turn, was succeeded by Winzler in July. The role of the school board, as compared to the role of the superintendent in running the district, was also often raised, he said.

“When does administration end and policy-making begin? That was also a recurring theme across all groups,” said Connelly.

A report will now be developed, he said, incorporating input from those who took part in the focus groups, including a profile of a suitable candidate for the district. The aim is to complete that report by the end of next week, and then deliver it to the Board of Education for review.

Connelly plans to review the report with the board, and hopes that it will be used as a guide when board members review the applications of candidates for the position and develop interview questions.

Advertisements have been placed regarding the open position, Connelly said, and brochures have been sent out. Connelly also plans to contact candidates based on the information and thoughts supplied during the focus group process, he said.

“Based on what I heard, it will give me some direction on recruiting people or going to people based on what I know about their background,” said Connelly. “(To) say, ‘you know, this might be a good match for you in Torrington.’”

He hopes the board will incorporate the thoughts of the community as they consider candidates to take on oversight of the city schools.

“My hope is that the board will, first of all, read and understand what the community is saying and what they’re looking for in a superintendent, and actively use that when they review and evaluate candidates. I hope this isn’t just an academic exercise — you know, we went out to the community, we heard what they say, and that’s it,” said Connelly. “The intent here is, from what I understand from the board, that they will use this information as a guide, and a strong guide, in their selection process.”

The Board of Education previously discussed plans to bring on a new full-time Superintendent by Jan. 1.

Board chairman Fiona Cappabianca, at the time, described these focus groups as a chance to better understand the needs and will of the Torrington school community.

“We’re hoping, by all of these community focus groups, we’ll be able to get a better understanding of what the community wants for the Torrington public schools,” said Cappabianca in July.

Winzler, as described in the motion made by board members for his hiring, is set to remain in the position of interim superintendent until Dec. 31, 2016, or until a new superintendent is hired.