Schools
Board of Ed. Officially Appoints New Superintendent
Karen Baldwin, previously of Watertown, comes north to Suffield as superintendent of the school system.
The Suffield Board of Education officially welcomed Karen Baldwin as the new superintendent of schools last night as it unanimously approved her appointment.
Baldwin, who comes to Suffield from the same post in Watertown, was unable to attend the meeting as she was completing her current duties. She is expected to begin work full time on or about August 8. Baldwin replaces Interim Superintendent Mary Greenlaw-Dixon, who took the post when Jack Reynolds retired in June 2010.
Board Chair Mary Roy noted that there were numerous reasons for Baldwin’s appointment, not the least of which was her experience.
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“That was a big factor,” Roy said. “Her answers in the focus groups were what we were looking for and I am confident she will be a good leader for Suffield schools.”
She was one of four finalists for the position during an extensive search that included several rounds of interviews as well as public input.
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Baldwin, who will earn a total annual compensation package of $180,000, has been the superintendent in Watertown for the past three years. Prior to her current post she served as a middle school assistant principal, director of human resources and assistant superintendent of schools, all in the Wethersfield school system.
Baldwin holds a bachelor of sciences degree in physical education from the University of New Hampshire, a master’s degree from Columbia University and earned her doctorate from the University of Hartford.
“In my role as superintendent, I have been able to build trusting relationships with principals, build a central office leadership team that serves and supports the work of the principals clarify the educational vision for all stakeholders in the community and act strategically to improve outcomes for the school system,” Baldwin wrote in a prepared statement.
Baldwin also wrote that she is excited to build a school system that “prepares all children to learn, lead and live in our complex global society.”
The new superintendent will face several issues in Suffield, including the election of several new Board of Education members and complex personnel issues concerning the handling of special education students and the potential non-certification of a pre-school teacher.
