School Superintendent Leaving For Regional Post

By John Voket

Newtown’s top school official is planning to take an executive position at a Trumbull-based regional support organization effective the end of the current school year. Dr Evan Pitkoff confirmed April 24 that pending a board vote, he will replace the retiring executive director of Cooperative Educational Services (CES).

Dr Pitkoff confirmed the move may occur as early as July 1, although school board Chairman Elaine McClure indicated that by contract, the superintendent is bound to provide 90 days notice prior to departure from his current post. She described her fellow board members as “ready, but disappointed” to see Dr Pitkoff leave the position he has held for five years.

The superintendent’s planned move marks the latest in a number significant changes in the local school district hierarchy. Recently both Assistant Superintendent Alice Jackson and Facilities Director Domenick Posca announced their retirement.

Ms McClure described Dr Pitkoff as a strong, dedicated leader who worked to move the district forward.

“The Board of Education wishes Dr Pitkoff the best of luck in his new career,” Ms McClure told The Bee Tuesday. She said the board is already working to locating an interim superintendent, and Ms McClure believes a formal search committee to solicit and interview possible replacements will be seated shortly.

Dr Pitkoff described his new position as very much like a superintendent. “In fact, the position requires superintendent certification,” he said.

The superintendent said the new job will tap his background in special education, as well as utilize his experience in both urban and suburban districts. According to its website, CES works to “identify and provide quality educational opportunities for educators, students, families, and communities.”

Dr Pitkoff described the multijurisdictional agency as having multiple functions: to help member districts pool resources to provide efficient and effective programming, to provide technical support, as well as staff development and training. The organization currently serves 17 districts from Stamford to Bridgeport and north to Shelton and Monroe.

Newtown is not served by the organization.

“I’m looking forward to helping the school districts address their achievement gaps,” Dr Pitkoff said, adding the new post will provide a brief 13-mile commute from his Newtown home.

The organization’s most recent strategic plan contains five core goals :

*To increase revenue by diversifying sources of funding.

*To expand services and community participation in CES.

*To strengthen and broaden awareness of CES and its services within the organization and within its member communities.

*To provide leadership and assistance to communities within CES programs and throughout the CES region in meeting the educational, social, and emotional needs of students and their families.

*To provide leadership, advocacy, and research on the development and implementation of educational policy and educational programs for CES programs and its constituent districts.

Established more than 30 years ago, CES is one of the six regional educational service centers in Connecticut. The organization is governed by a Representative Council consisting of members from each member town, according to the website.