Marks Wants New Administrator for Norwalk Schools

Superintendent of Schools Susan F. Marks heard lots of questions as well as some skepticism Tuesday as she called for a new administrator to help compensate for budget cuts that wiped out several key central staff positions.

“There were five positions cut. I’m asking for one,” said Marks in outlining what she said was an “interim” approach to deal with the workload. She said the plan, if eventually approved by the board, would be in effect for this new school year.

Under her recommendation, the schools would hire a director of grants, enrollment, academically talented, and district operational projects.  It would cost a salary of roughly $150,000 and about $25,000 more in benefits.

Marks said the funds were available thanks to carry-over professional development funds and savings from the lower cost of replacing a retired teacher, and a staffing reserve.

With the loss of key positions in recent years that this year included the director of elementary education curriculum and the academic and talented specialist, Marks said a new format was needed to make sure many of the district’s roles still got proper attention.

The new staff member, she said, would perform such diverse tasks as evaluating administrative support, grant, and academically-talented staff, setting up kindergarten registration and the magnet school lottery, and monitoring state and federal legislation mandates. It is fully outlined in the reports section of the meeting found here.

But even before the formal discussion, Bruce Mellion, president of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, voice some doubts. “We don’t think this is doable in the current format,” he said during the public speaking segment, referring to the wide-ranging workload Marks spelled out. Still, he said, the union wasn’t necessarily opposed.

Several board members voiced concern about the costs.

“I don’t understand why this is a director position,” said Steven Colarossi, suggesting a lower-level employee might be more appropriate. He said such a high level post would wind up being a permanent employee even if the district should reorganize in a different way farther in the future.

Rosa Murray said she also had concerns explaining she wanted to make sure the basic tasks got done without relying on a grander scheme.

Marks said that Norwalk still has a leaner administrative staff compared to other cities like Stamford and Bridgeport. And she said that for Norwalk to properly comply with requirements and bring the district up to date, it will need to strengthen its administrative staff still further in the future. Her long term plans call for a Department of School Performance, whose director would evaluate principals, and additional personnel to coach teachers.

Earlier, the board discussed but took no formal action on contracts for Marks and Daddona, but board members said those could be expected at the next session.