Board of Education Delights in Bielefield Test Scores

Last night's regular Board of Education meeting opened with a somber moment of silence honoring former MHS football coach John Skubel (passed on 8/17) and Veteran and Children's Advocate Lee B. Smith (passed on 8/16).

The BOE then amended the agenda to move up a vote authorizing the Superintendent to work with the city to create a new full-time Nursing Supervisor position.  "We are seeing children with complex medical conditions and needs, and we must have someone that our nurses can come to with questions," noted Ann Perzan.  Perzan is the Director of Special Education, but the school nurse program is housed in her department.  Perzan also noted that school nurses are not currently given performance reviews because there isn't someone with greater clinical skills in the administrative chain.  Substitute nurses are also hard to find because many qualified individuals won't work if there isn't a Nurse Supervisor in place.  Superintendent Charles was authorized to work with the city to create the new position, and there will be no cost for the position as current Special Education funds will be repurposed to cover the position (the previous purpose for those funds ended in June).

Bielefield Elementary School then took center stage as the surprise star of the 2012-13 CMT test results.  Designated a "focus school" because of struggling sub-groups' performance on the 2011-12 Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT), Bielefield instituted an after-school study program during the 2012-13 school year, aimed specifically at helping Hispanic students who struggle with English.  Assistant Superintendent Enza Macri had told the BOE earlier in the year that students who have been in the U.S. for six months have to take the CMT in English, even if they are not proficient speakers.  As administrators tried to determine why the Hispanic sub-group was struggling, parents explained that it was hard to help their students with homework when they struggled with English themselves.

Dr. Patricia Charles Elected as New Superintendent of Schools

Former Keigwan Principal (1998 - 2002) Patricia Charles has been elected as Middletown's new Superintendent of Schools.  Charles is coming from Westbrook where she has been Superintendent since 2006.  Charles was also Principal at Farm Hill Elementary School from 1990-1998.  See her full resume here.

BOE Chairman Gene Nocera commented "the whole board is very pleased.  Dr. Charles is absolutely the right fit for Middletown.  She is an experienced superintendent with a proven track record in leadership and collaboration.  She will leave a legacy second to none."


Update at 8:35pm:  

Dr. Charles was introduced to the public at tonight's Board of Ed Meeting.  She was one of 19 applicants for the position, 8 of whom went through the interview process.  The search committee consisted of the entire Board of Education, a parent, a teacher, a current administrator (a principal) and a city staffer who also happens to be a parent.  According to BOE member Ed McKeon, Dr. Charles was the unanimous first choice by the entire committee.

Charles was given a few moments to speak publicly, and she answered the obvious question of "why come back?" Trying to conceal her great excitement, Charles commented, "This was my home for 17 years.  My grandchildren are going to go to school here, and you won't find anyone who will work harder to make this a great school system."

BOE member Sheila Daniels was also obviously excited, noting that she was "thrilled to pieces" that Charles was back: "This is a new day for Middletown Schools!"

Even Mayor Dan Drew showed up to the meeting to praise Charles and the Board of Ed.  Speaking during the public session, Drew told the board it "hit a home run"by selecting Dr. Charles:  "She's so well regarded and I'm very proud for the opportunity to work with her and the board."