Consultant presents community-derived leadership profile to Stratford School District board

At a special meeting on Monday, Feb. 10, the Stratford School District board heard a presentation from consultant Ms. Broderick of Key summarizing focus-group and survey results intended to shape the district’s next superintendent leadership profile. Ms. Broderick reported that the district’s outreach included 13 focus groups and a bilingual survey and that a total of about 416 people participated across interviews, focus groups and the survey.

The consultant said participants repeatedly identified the district’s educators and a culture of collaboration as strengths. "Teachers go above and beyond; they have unwavering dedication and passion for their students' success," Ms. Broderick said, summarizing recurring praise for teachers, administrators and support staff. She also reported that respondents described the community as "neighborly and connected" and that diversity and inclusion were widely cited as a strength.

The report also compiled the community’s chief concerns. Budgetary issues were the most frequently cited challenge, followed by worries about curriculum rigor and academic performance, leadership instability and polarized board dynamics, student behavior and discipline, and gaps in special-education supports. Ms. Broderick reported specific counts of mentions across topics in the data: curriculum and academic performance (about 59 mentions), leadership/governance (about 57 mentions), student behavior/discipline (about 55 mentions), special education/support services (about 29 mentions) and diversity/equity/assignment concerns including redistricting (about 24 and 16 mentions, respectively). She noted that some items that were described as strengths by some respondents (for example, strong community engagement or diversity) were described as challenges by others.

On qualities the community wants in a new superintendent, Ms. Broderick reported that top preferences included a leader who keeps student growth and well-being the primary focus, is accessible and visible in schools and the community, can build trusting relationships, communicates transparently and collaborates effectively, and has strong budget and finance skills. "They want somebody who is accessible, approachable, and visible in the schools and community," she said. Respondents also emphasized the desire for a leader who will take time to understand what currently works before making major changes.

Ms. Broderick told the board the document will guide selection of interview candidates and suggested questions for finalists. Board members discussed the report briefly; one board member observed that the traits described were similar to those displayed by the current acting superintendent.

There were no formal decisions recorded during the presentation about hiring or candidate selection at this meeting. Board members set a deadline for applications, which was referenced verbally during the meeting with unclear phrasing; the transcript records the phrase "the 20 first," and the meeting did not specify the exact calendar date in the record provided. The consultant and board agreed the report will inform the next steps of the selection process.

A motion to adjourn the special meeting passed unanimously at the end of the session.