Christopher Peak Pre-Pandemic Photo
CFO Phillip Penn.
Phillip Penn plans to leave his position as New Haven Public Schools’ chief financial officer this summer for a similar role in Hartford Public Schools.
Superintendent Iline Tracey sent this announcement to the Board of Education and members of the press on Tuesday evening.
The Hartford Board of Education approved Penn’s hire as chief financial officer on Tuesday as well.
“I will truly miss this level of expertise on my team,” Tracey wrote.
Penn’s last day would be June 15.
Since his hire in the fall of 2019, Penn has shepherded the district’s financial department through the Covid-19 crisis and the ensuing federal relief. When Chief Operating Officer Michael Pinto left the district in November, he took on additional responsibilities with the facilities department.
Penn’s tenure has seen slim surpluses at the end of each year. School closures due to Covid-19, federal relief and school staff members forgoing raises all play a part in last summer’s surplus and the $775,351 surplus projected for this year.
Penn has also been involved in some controversies during his time in New Haven. He requested a workplace harassment investigation of Board of Education member Darnell Goldson after Goldson implied that Penn was favoring white contractors.
Penn’s salary as chief financial officer of Hartford Public Schools would be $190,000 — $5,000 more than his starting salary with New Haven.