Middletown stakeholders outline priorities as school board advances superintendent search

NESDAC consultant Christine Cyriak told Middletown officials at a public focus group that the Board of Education has asked consultants to gather community and staff feedback to build a successful candidate profile and to help vet applicants.

Cyriak, a retired Connecticut superintendent, said the Board’s timeline aims to present a draft candidate profile in the first week of March and to appoint a superintendent in early April so the new hire could begin on July 1, 2026. "Their goal is to hopefully appoint a new superintendent in early April for that person to begin in the position July 1, the start of the next school year 2026," she said.

Why it matters: Middletown has had multiple superintendent transitions in recent years, and council members told consultants they want a leader who can restore trust, raise academic and behavioral standards, and work visibly with teachers, parents and community partners.

Council members and other participants repeatedly named a short list of priorities for the next superintendent: integrity and authenticity, strong communication and transparency, a proven track record in strategic planning and budgets, collaborative engagement with stakeholders, and attention to safety and school climate.

Councilwoman Hart said the district needs a leader "who has integrity, authenticity, and the ability to work closely with a strong HR team," adding that adherence to policies and clear communication with staff and families are especially important after recent turnover. Councilman Anthony Gennaro said the board should seek someone "battle-tested" who will set high expectations and pair them with structured supports for struggling students.

Process and authority: Cyriak said NESDAC will collect and synthesize feedback from focus groups and an online survey, vet applications for certification and qualifications, sit in on interviews and present recommended candidates to the Board, but will not make the hiring decision. "The ultimate selection and hiring is done by the Board of Education and is not done by NESDAC," she said.

On confidentiality and background checks, Cyriak said the search typically remains confidential in Connecticut. She described a multi-step vetting process: initial reference checks during screening, more extensive reference and credential checks for finalists, and formal legal checks (fingerprinting, DCF) later in the process. She also said consultants perform online (Google) checks and encourage candidates to review their own online records prior to being announced.

Contract terms and compensation: Councilmembers asked whether superintendents typically receive three-year contracts. Cyriak said Connecticut permits contracts up to three years but that contract length and compensation ranges are set by the Board and negotiated with the candidate. Contract language can specify evaluation and accountability measures, she said.

Next steps: Cyriak said the vacancy posting is on the district website, applications are being accepted through Feb. 24, the consultants will present a draft candidate profile to the Board the first week of March (March 3), interviews would follow in mid-March, and the Board hopes to appoint a finalist in early April. The consultants offered optional follow-up services to help a newly hired superintendent formalize an entry plan.

The meeting ended after thanks to the consultants and a motion to adjourn was approved.