Zoom
Interim Superintendent Iline Tracey at a Zoomed-in education meeting.
Interim Superintendent Iline Tracey may soon lose the first word in her title, depending on community reactions to how she has done her job so far.
Board of Education members announced at the end of a 75-minute executive session on Monday night — closed to media and the public — that they are strongly considering Tracey for the permanent superintendent position.
Before making a decision, however, they would like to hear from the public.
“We thought it would be helpful to have input so we can weigh the public sentiment before we make decisions that are going to affect them and their kids,” said Board President Yesenia Rivera.
“I think she’s done a phenomenal job, given all that’s gone on with the Covid-19 pandemic. I think she’s doing that very well and still working on the normal day-to-day issues of the public schools,” Rivera continued.
The previous superintendent, Carol Birks, stepped down in November after a year and a half of controversy, including protests after teachers were fired to help balance the schools’ budgets. The school board also negotiated the exit of her predecessor, Garth Harries, in 2016 amid much public squabbling.
Soon after Tracey took over, the Covid-19 public health crisis plunged the school system into new territory. Tracey’s administration has overseen the distribution of food and technology to families and is still navigating how to ensure all students have access to learning while schools are closed.
The board has set up an email address for the members of the public to send their thoughts to on whether to hire Tracey or start a more comprehensive search. The email address—.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)—went live on Wednesday.
The board will take input for roughly one week, Rivera said. This allows the board to decide at the next full BOE meeting whether to start a search for another superintendent or simply hire Tracey permanently.
Hear more about Tracey’s current efforts and career path below in a recent appearance she made on WNHH FM’s “Dateline New Haven” program.
This article was updated on Wednesday, April 29 to include the feedback email address.