John Tarka: It's been real.
Newly instated Wilbur Cross High School Principal John Tarka announced he is leaving his role as leader five weeks into the academic year.
In an email addressing the Cross community, Tarka wrote that his last day will be Oct. 14.
Tarka was appointed to the leadership role this summer.
“Writing this letter is met with many conflicting emotions. In a very short time I have developed a strong connection to the students and staff at Wilbur Cross,” Tarka wrote in the email.
Tarka described Cross High School as “exceptional” and said it was an honor to serve and lead the staff and students for the short period.
He explained in his email that he will resign from his principal role to serve as assistant superintendent working for the state of Connecticut and the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
Former Hillhouse Principal Glenn Worthy, who helmed the Dixwell high school for the past six years, also resigned from his role as a school leader this past school year to become chief of educational services for DCF.
“I am grateful to have learned from so many great professionals in my time in New Haven. As my role changes from Principal to Assistant Superintendent, my focus remains the same: serving our young people and helping to provide them with highest quality education possible, and in doing so, ensuring that they have a successful and productive life,” Tarka wrote in the email.
School spokesperson Justin Harmon did not respond by the publication of this article to a question asking who will lead Cross next.
“When I was a student in the New Haven system, we had teachers and principals who stayed on long enough to teach entire families through the years,” Board of Education member Darnell Goldson said Sunday about Tarka’s momentary tenure.
“I think we have developed a climate where longevity in any position is no longer guaranteed, so it’s easy to understand why teachers and principals would choose to leave when opportunities present themselves. I have noted in meetings in the past my frustration with the constant shifting of staff every year, and we will probably see more of these departures if we don’t change the paradigm.”