Schools

Stamford Schools Expect To Hire New Superintendent By July

A member of Stamford's Board of Education admits that just working as a team may be the Board's most difficult task in 2012.

Stamford's Board of Education may have a full desk in 2012.

"We're continuing to see a collapse of the achievement gap; we have still have a lot of work to do," re-elected Board of Ed. member Julia Wade told Patch. According to Wade, the hiring of a new public schools superintendent is the Board's top priority, but Wade has two recommendations for new focal points:

  • Introducing World Language into the cirriculum.
  • A greater focus on technology in the classroom, which will mean more tech-training for teachers.

In regards to interim superintendent Winifred Hamilton, Wade stated that if Hamilton "were interested in accepting the superintendency," Wade would be proud to consider it.  The search for a new superintendent has already begun, as the Board of Ed. has been searching for a hiring firm to locate candidates.

Find out what's happening in Stamfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We're very close to making a decision...the firm will be selected this month," Wade said. Superintendent candidacy is expected to begin in earnest by Jan., with a final decision made by July 1, according to Wade.

While a superintendent search and a tech overhaul may be Board of Education priorities, Wade suggests working as a new team may be the Board's biggest problem in 2012.

Find out what's happening in Stamfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The biggest issue for us is the lack a of non-partisan, collegiate, collaborative style," Wade said.  "We have a board member retiring and a new one coming on...the jury's out on the Board."

Stamford's achievement gap, which was an issue throughout 2011, will remain a focus of the Board in 2012.  Wade couldn't specify on how to best close the achievement gap, but believes measures currently in place are helping.

"We have to make sure that the good work is being replicated," Wade said.


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