Supt. of Schools to retire
ANSONIA — Another era is coming to an end in the city.
Superintendent of Schools Carol Merlone announced to the Board of Education late Wednesday night that she is retiring as of June 30.
Merlone, 60, has served as the city’s superintendent for the past 12 years during a 35-year career that included teaching at Bradley School in Derby and Peck School in Ansonia as well as serving as principal of both Prendergast and Mead schools in Ansonia.
After announcing her retirement, Merlone recommended that the Board of Education appoint Joseph DiBacco, who has served as the city’s assistant superintendent for the past two years, to replace her. The board did so unanimously.
Additionally, Merlone accepted the school board’s 3.5 percent increase on her approximately $185,000 salary retroactive to July 1. But she immediately donated it back to the school system for use to fund scholarships and programs for students.
“That didn’t surprise me,” said William Nimons, the Board of Education chairman. “Carol’s been donating part of her salary back for at least the past six years.”
Merlone said she intends to spend more time with her family, including her 7-month-old grandson, but added she has “a lot of irons in the fire.”
But much of her fire in the past two years has been dedicated to battling with the city and its Board of Aldermen over the school budget. Their removal last year of $600,000 from the school budget has led to a state court lawsuit and a state Board of Education investigation.
When asked if politics was in her future, the fiery superintendent, a registered Democrat said she “would consider it, on some level.”
Hearing that, Vinnie Scarlata, a Republican Board of Education member, urged Merlone to run for mayor against David Cassetti. Scarlata offered to serve as her campaign manager. Merlone was non-committal. “I’m proud to say that I am a product of Ansonia’s school system,” said Merlone, a lifelong city resident.
Upon learning of Merlone’s retirement, Lorie Vaccaro, who heads the Board of Aldermen, said he wishes her “all the best in her future endeavors, professional, political or otherwise....I’m sure this was a very difficult decision for her.”
Cassetti said he was surprised to hear of her retirement since her contract does not expire until 2020.
“I wish her well,” he said.
And if she decides to run against him?
“I welcome any challengers,” the city’s only three-term Republican mayor said.
DiBacco, who came to Ansonia after serving as an administrator in Hamden for 10 years and before that teaching at Platt High School in Meriden for seven years, said Merlone welcomed him from the start.
“She embodies what it means to be a superintendent,” he said.
He has seen Merlone buy uniforms for needy students, pick up parents and drive them to school meetings and “treat each and everyone of Ansonia’s students like one of her own.”
Still DiBacco conceded the next few years will be challenging both economically and politically “but also ripe for change and healing.”
“Hopefully I’m up for the challenges Carol has laid a foundation for,” he said.
Cassetti said he spoke with DiBacco this morning and looks forward to working with him.
Meanwhile, Vaccaro said he is “confident the city and DiBacco will enjoy a collegial relationship and strive to provide our children, teachers and taxpayers a top-flight education in a responsible and efficient manner.”
DiBacco, 41, resides in Meriden with his wife, Cherise and their daughters, Anna Sophia, 5 and Lucia, 3. A third daughter is due in March.
Merlone is the second longtime city official to announce their retirement in recent weeks.
In December, Police Chief Kevin Hale announced he is retiring as of Feb. 15 after 29 years in the department and the last 18 as its police chief. Lt. Andrew Cota III has been named interim chief.