A representative of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) Search Services presented an updated leadership profile for a new Superintendent of Schools to the Board of Education in an online meeting on Tuesday, May 28.

Presented by CABE Search Services representative Mary Broderick, the report builds off of findings from the “Newtown Superintendent Search Survey” she conducted from early-to-mid May and outlines qualities, experiences, and characteristics Newtown residents desire in a new superintendent.

Feedback from the online survey, alongside additional data from the 2022 candidate profile, was incorporated into the leadership profile and helped solidify the guidelines for candidates who fit the needs of the Newtown Public Schools.

Current Superintendent Chris Melillo was appointed to the position in June 2022 and announced his resignation in early April. He will leave his current position as superintendent on Sunday, June 30, following the end of the school year.

Melillo was appointed the next principal of Ox Ridge Elementary School in Darien during the Wednesday, April 10 Darien Board of Education meeting.

A total of 331 participants responded to the survey, which Broderick said was “a really commendable number of people to participate.” Comments from survey participants identified what they believe to be the strengths of Newtown and its public schools.

These comments highlighted dedicated teacher and staff, community and parental involvement, academics, extracurricular and sports programs, school environment and safety, resources and support systems, school leadership, and communication as important values in the community.

Comments also identified areas that will be significant challenges for whoever fills the new position of Superintendent of Schools.

These challenges include budget planning and financial management, navigating political division within the community, maintaining focus on academic excellence to promote student learning and achievement, addressing workload concerns and providing adequate support to educators, addressing security and safety concerns such as threats of violence, bullying, and escalating student behaviors, among others.

The report assessed participants in their most desired qualities for a superintendent. Four out of the ten areas were weighted higher than other traits. 19.8% of participants had building trusting relationships with students, staff, and community as their first choice.

Second choice with 18.5% was experience running a school district. 16.7% had sharing district-wide vision of excellence and innovation instruction as their top choice, while another 15.8% had communicates and collaborates effectively in school and community as their top choice.

It was these desired qualities, alongside the comments addressing the strengths of the community and the challenges facing Newtown and its public school system, that served as the foundation for the new updated superintendent leadership profile.

The profile details that the ideal superintendent, Broderick said, would have previous experience in leading a school district and successfully navigating whatever challenges they faced. They would also demonstrate strong, thoughtful, and reflective leadership skills to drive necessary changes while maintaining a unified and productive administrative team.

It outlines that the superintendent should be committed to staying in the position for five years or more, and show genuine interest in Newtown. The report notes that the position should be viewed as a long-term commitment instead of being seen as a “final career stop.”

The superintendent, the report added, would need thick skin and a confident mindset to withstand external pressure and be prepared to make tough decisions. Compassion and empathy are noted as another high priority, with someone in the position ready to communicate with the community. It says they should be open and transparent, fostering a supportive education environment and strong relationships with students, staff, and parents alike.

The report says that the superintendent would also need to be politically neutral and able to balance the diverse views within the community while focusing on student growth and wellbeing.

It lastly notes that strong, strategic budget management skills are “crucial” in order to maintain education quality, cultivate an environment of success, and lead the schools.

BOE Chairman Alison Plante thanked Broderick for pulling the report together and that the profile was rigorous and data driven while giving the board a good idea of “what the headlines are.”

The BOE will have several candidate meetings in the coming weeks to review applications for the superintendent position.

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Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.