A School Leader For Newtown

To the Editor:

When the Newtown Board of Education began interviewing our final five superintendent candidates in August, I knew I was personally looking for a strong leader with savvy financial and political skills. I wanted a leader who knew how to craft an academic vision for our district, and who had the communication skills necessary to convey that vision to our town’s governing bodies, our parents, and the school district administrators and staff. Newtown needed a leader who wanted to be involved with our community, who understood how to manage financial balance within our community, and who thoroughly enjoyed meeting with parents and children. Finally, I really wanted a leader who saw staff development and curriculum enhancement as core to our school district’s long-term success. In talking to many, many Newtown residents, I knew I was not alone in these opinions.

When we left Derby, Conn., Monday afternoon after the Board of Education site visit, I was convinced that the board had found the school leader Newtown had been looking for. Throughout the day, Dr Janet Robinson’s Derby teachers, principals, parents, union leaders, city leaders, PTA leaders, and office staff consistently used these words to describe her: Approachable. Consummate professional. Skilled consensus builder. Gifted educator. A leader with astute business and political acumen. Promoter of staff development. Tireless. Energetic. Visionary. From the youngest teacher to the 30-year union president, they all painted a picture of a visionary leader who had led her community and her school district with intelligence and compassion.

I may be the newest member of the Newtown Board of Education, but I’ve been a parent, a taxpayer, and committed school volunteer in Newtown for 12 years. I’ve had countless discussions with countless residents about community leadership. That’s why it has been my honor to represent Newtown in this superintendent selection process. And it is my greatest honor to be a member of the Board of Education that has brought Dr Robinson to our community as Newtown’s new superintendent of schools.

Dr Robinson will be touring our schools October 5 to become familiar with Newtown prior to her January 1 start date. Please look for her and introduce yourself. According to the Derby district, “approachable” is Dr Robinson’s first name.

Sincerely,

Lillian D. Bittman

Newtown Board of Education

Democratic BOE Candidate

17 Rose Lane, Sandy Hook                                       October 3, 2007