Interim Superintendent Appointed in Windsor

The Windsor board of education voted Monday to name Dr. Craig Cooke as interim superintendent of Windsor Public Schools.

Cooke, who is currently Windsor's assistant superintendent for human resources, will replace the district's departing superintendent, Dr. Jeffrey Villar.

"Dr. Cooke is a great asset to our district," said Windsor Board of Education President Doreen Richardson in a prepared statement.

Cooke's appointment "allows for the continuity of the important work underway in the district — development and implementation of quality curricula by highly motivated and professional staff in a positive learning environment where each child has the opportunity to discover their genius," Richardson added. "The board looks forward to deepening its collaboration with Dr. Cooke as we transform Windsor Public schools into a district of distinction."

Cooke has been the district's assistant superintendent of human resources since 2009. Cooke will work alongside Superintendent Villar, the district said, until his final day in the district, which is on Oct. 30.

Villar was recently hired to head Connecticut Council for Education Reform, a non-profit working to close the state's achievement gap and influence education policy.

Cooke's appointment will now allow the district to begin "a national search" for a permanent school superintendent, the district said Monday.