Search Firm Chosen For Next Windsor School Superintendent

The Windsor Board of Education has chosen a firm to conduct the search for a new superintendent of schools. Three finalists made presentations to the board of education last week, and officials chose one firm.

However, because the contract with the search agency is still under review, the board is waiting to release the name of the Massachusetts firm, according to  Board of Education Chairman Milo Peck.

“We haven’t signed the contract yet,”Peck said.  “Counsel is reviewing it.” 

“We anticipate that we’re going to have the person from the firm come down and sit with the Board as a focus group and get an idea of what we’re thinking about   in terms of a Superintendent,” said Peck. “A timeline will be established.”  

Education officials began the process of searching for a new head of schools after Dr. Elizabeth Feser vacated her position as Windsor superintendent in late March for a new opportunity in the Milford Public Schools.

Peck said that ultimately, focus groups comprised of staff, teachers and the public would also be polled on their criteria for this key position in the town so a "profile" of the position could be created. This collaboratively-developed profile would then  be advertised.

With the school year ending, the information-collecting stage will take some time, Peck said.

Peck said officials could be interviewing candidates in December.

In the meantime, Windsor public schools are being led by Interim Superintendent  Ernest Perlini.   Perlini stepped into the position about 5 weeks ago, and has found a voice already on some of the most important issues occurring in town, such as the elementary school re-organization. 

“A lot of places the interim is a 9-3:30 type-of-person,” said Peck.  “[Having Dr. Perlini] is no different from having a full-time, committed superintendent.  Windsor is not missing a beat,” added Peck.

Dr. Perlini will stay in Windsor until the new superintendent is hired.

“The process should take into consideration everything,” said Peck. 

“We tried to make the elementary reorganization an inclusive process and this will be even more so, in terms of specialized groups,” he said.  “It takes several months."

In the meantime, Dr. Perlini is meeting with parents who will be affected by the elementary school reorganization.  "That's one of the great things about hiring Ernie," said Peck.  "He is committed to the whole picture."