The Hunt Begins

Now that Reggie Mayo’s retirement intentions are official, the Board of Ed Monday night plotted out a plan to find a new superintendent of schools.

The Board of Ed voted to appoint itself as the official search committee for the next superintendent. Board of Ed members will conduct a national search for a successor, whom they hope to have in place by July 1, when Mayo steps down after two decades as superintendent.

Mayo announced his retirement plans last week. He’ll be ending his tenure six months before Mayor John DeStefano, who will close out his final term and step down after 20 years in office.

The school board Monday night appointed several members to quickly draft either a request for proposals (RFP) or request for qualifications (RFQ) to begin the process of hiring a consulting firm to assist with the national search.

Board Chair Carlos Torre said he’s unsure how much it will cost to hire such a firm, but estimated it at about $50,000. That’s an unavoidable expense, he said. ​“We’ve got to do a national search. That’s usually the going rate.”

School board members expressed their intention to have an open process with lots of opportunity for public input. Torre mentioned the ongoing charter revision process as a model. The special commission looking at revising the city charter has held a number of lengthy public meetings to gather input from neighbors throughout the city.

Torre said it’s important to avoid a gap between Mayo’s departure and his successor’s start. The city has too many important school reform efforts underway to not have a superintendent in place, he said.

At least one candidate is guaranteed to be available to take the reins in July: Assistant Superintendent Garth Harries.

Torre said Harries will be an applicant in the mix like any other. Harries has taken the leading day-to-day role in directing New Haven’s ambitious school reform drive; he is considered a leading contender for the superintendent’s post.

Click here to read Mayo’s advice for his successor.