Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, was named the Superintendent of the Year for 2017 at the annual Connecticut Association of Boards of Education/Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CABE/CAPSS) Convention, held at the Mystic Marriott in Groton, Friday, November 18.

As the Superintendent of the Year for 2017, Dr Erardi is now eligible to receive this award on the national level from the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), according to CAPSS.

"I have been blessed for the past four decades to work with exceptional Boards of Education, school board leaders, administrators, staff, and parents," said Dr Erardi, in a press release. "In receiving this award, I stand and represent each one of you who has made a difference in the life of a child, one student at a time."

The Superintendent of the Year award is given both nationally through the AASA and on the state level through CAPSS, according to a release from CAPSS. In order to be considered for this award by the CAPSS Superintendent of the Year Award Committee, the individual must have served as a superintendent of a Connecticut public school system for five years or more.

Assistant Superintendent of Schools Jean Evans Davila nominated Dr Erardi for the award in July, she said by e-mail on Monday, November 21.

"I am sure," Ms Davila said, "all will agree that Dr Erardi is truly deserving of this honor due to the quality of the relationships he has developed within our schools, with our parents and families, and with our community-at-large; his integrity in adhering to his philosophy that everything we do in Newtown Public Schools must be grounded in what is best for our children; his focus on growing leaders from within our district, and his commitment to moving us forward with the highest standards of teaching and learning."

Board of Education Chair Keith Alexander said the entire Newtown School District is proud of Dr Erardi, not only for his selection as Superintendent of the Year, but also for his dedication to the work for students in Newtown.

"I was happy that much of our board could be in attendance for the honor and not at all surprised that Dr Erardi chose to thank his staff for their work in moving our school system forward," said Mr Alexander in an email Monday. "Dr Erardi's recognition is a reflection of the fact that he knows that it takes individuals from every corner of the district working in concert to provide the best possible outcome for our kids. His leadership is quiet, confident, and open to input from anyone in the community. This honesty provides trust that builds strong relationships and a unified purpose. Newtown stands stronger because of the example of our Superintendent of the Year, Dr Erardi, and I think his work is an example for all of Connecticut."

Board of Education Vice Chair Michelle Embree Ku, who is also the CABE Area 5 director, also said Dr Erardi is deserving of the award. When it was time for Dr Erardi to accept the award, Ms Ku said the entire convention was there, including district representatives who were there to share a presentation.

"As an organization, CAPSS strives to provide Connecticut public school personnel the educational and administrative leadership they need to provide the highest quality of education for our students," said CAPSS Executive Director Joseph J. Cirasuolo, Ed.D. "Through his leadership and dedication to providing the highest quality of education to all students in his community, Dr Erardi exemplifies the type of superintendent we hope to see in all school districts throughout Connecticut."

Before becoming superintendent of the Newtown Public Schools in 2014, Dr Erardi served as superintendent of multiple public school districts throughout Connecticut, including Southington, Watertown, and Bolton, according to the release. He gained valuable experience in school administration through his positions as principal at Rockville High School and Killingly High School, as well as his time as an administrator in the Manchester Public School system. Dr Erardi earned his undergraduate degree and master's degree from Central Connecticut State University, then went on to complete his Doctorate in Educational Leadership at The University of Hartford.

Dr Erardi was chosen as the winner of the 2016 Newtown Paul Harris Rotary Award which recognizes outstanding community service, as well as a recipient of the 2016 Outstanding School Administrator award by the Executive Board of the Connecticut Association of School Based Health Centers, according to CAPSS. He was also named the 2016 CT PTA Superintendent of the Year. Dr Erardi also currently serves on the AASA Board of Directors as one of 20 superintendents across the country advocating for childhood education.