The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Residents can participate in schools chief search
WINSTED >> Community residents will be asked to share their thoughts as part of the search for a new superintendent for the Winchester Public Schools, district representatives announced Monday in a press release.
“CABE (Connecticut Association of Boards of Education) Search Services, an educational executive recruitment firm, and Dr. Jacqueline Jacoby, Senior Search Consultant for CABE” will facilitate the search, according to the release, along with Receiver Freeman Burr and district representatives.
Town residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on the process both in person and online, according to the release, as focus groups and an online survey are being planned to take place in March.
“The goal is to solicit constituents and stakeholders to participate in the superintendent search process by sharing their personal insights about Winchester schools and the essential leadership qualities of the next superintendent,” wrote district representatives in the release. “Focus group invitations and dates will be placed on the district’s website at http:// www.winchesterschools.org/ and sent out through our district’s newsletter and Facebook page as well as our School Messenger service. The Superintendent Survey will be available immediately on the Winchester Public Schools website through March 24, 2017.”
Administrators say they are aiming to have a new auperintendent begin work by July 1, 2017. Updates will posted on the district website as the process continues.
The new Superintendent will take over for Burr, who now holds the powers of both the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education as receiver.
They will succeed Anne Watson, who was hired in June 2014, placed on administrative leave in August 2015, then reached a contractual settlement with the Board of Education in January 2017.
Burr, who became receiver in November, told the Board of Education earlier this month that he and Durational Project Manager Ellen Stoltz will likely stay on into the next fiscal year, as the state ramps down direct oversight of the town schools.