The Newtown Board of Education has announced that the first two focus group meetings for community input in the current superintendent search are scheduled.

The announcement was made in a letter to community members on March 22.

The first focus group will be held in person on March 28 at 7 pm at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Road, in the school’s Lecture Hall. The second focus group meeting will be virtual via Zoom on March 30 at 7 pm.

As previously reported, a Superintendent Search Survey is also available online for community members to fill out. The survey is available at surveymonkey.com/r/3MVZ9N3.

Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue announced her retirement in a letter to the community in December. The letter was addressed to parents, staff, and community members, and it explained that the superintendent shared the news with the school board in October that she will be retiring at the end of this school year, as previously reported by The Newtown Bee.

The full March 22 letter from the BOE to the community follows.

Dear Parents and Community Members:

The search for a new superintendent of schools is well underway. An important part of the process is to solicit community input about the attributes, experiences, and desired goals for a new superintendent. This will be of valuable assistance to the Board of Education as they interview the candidates.

Dr Randall Collins, a consultant with the New England School Development Council (NESDEC), will meet with interested parents and community members in person as well as virtually.

The first focus group will be held in person on Monday, March 28, at 7 pm in the Newtown High School Lecture Hall.

The second group will meet virtually via Zoom on Wednesday, March 30, at 7 pm.

The link is below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81462528550?pwd=aVlrdzhoZ1dFVVE3SVZIVHZTTllYQT09

Questions/comments regarding the virtual focus group process may be sent to nesdec@nesdec.org.

Newtown Public Schools wants and values your opinions. We hope you will take advantage of these opportunities to participate.

Sincerely,

Newtown Board of Education

Education Editor Eliza Hallabeck can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.