Hannans: Started NHPS career at 15.
After five months, New Haven’s public school system has a chief financial officer again.
The Board of Education Monday night approved the appointment of Linda Hannans to the position on an acting basis.
Hannans has been working for NHPS [New Haven Public Schools] for 50 years, holding various financial positions.
The previous CFO, Phillip Penn, resigned this past March after holding the seat throughout the pandemic for a little more than a year. Penn had been hired after a year-long search by schools Superintendent Iline Tracey.
Hannans leaves behind a vacant seat as the central office business director. The school district came to a memorandum of understanding with AFSCME Local 3144 for the next six months or until the vacancy is filled while it continues its search for a CFO. Hannans’ salary in the new position will start at $185,000.
“We have been searching for a chief financial officer without much success,” said Tracey.
Hannans has worked as an NHPS accountant, Adult Education Evening Bookkeeper/accounting instructor, and account clerk. Her NHPS journey began at age 15, said Tracey.
Hannans graduated from Wilbur Cross and attended the University of New Haven and Southern Connecticut State University.
“Linda is committed to New Haven Public Schools. You know people when they’re committed. They’re not going anywhere through the thick, through the thin. Through whatever it is, they are here. They stay with the ship, and Linda is one individuals who stayed with the ship,” Tracey said.
Chief of Staff Finley.
The hiring of a new chief of staff in central office, Michael Finley, was also approved at the meeting. Finley, an educator from Georgia, has served as an assistant principal, elementary teacher, and principal. His starting salary is $165,000.
“I’m committed to the vision and the mission of the district and look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to produce great outcomes for our students,” Finley said during Monday’s meeting.
New Haven native Adham Conaway was promoted from a sixth-grade teacher at Davis Street Magnet School to interim assistant principal.
Tracey described Conaway as a product of New Haven who went above and beyond for his school in and out of the classroom. Conaway’s salary will start at $123,870.
New Davis Street Magnet School Interim Assistant Principal Adham Conaway.
Conaway will be working alongside Marisa Asarisi, who was promoted to principal at Davis two weeks ago.
“I want to give a very special thank you to Sequella Coleman, principal of Metropolitan Business Academy. For the past six and a half years, she took me under her wings and mentored me during her time at Davis,” Conaway said.
The board approved the appointments in a 4 – 1 vote. BOE member Tamiko Jackson-McArthur voted against the appointments. Darnell Goldson abstained, and Larry Conaway recused his vote due to being the father of Adham Conaway.
In addition to the three administrative appointments, 52 teachers were hired (some pending certification) and 14 paraprofessionals. (View the list here.)