Branford Selects New Schools Superintendent

BRANFORD, CT — The search committee of the Branford Board of Education is recommending the selection of Dr. Christopher Tranberg, Ph. D., of the Darien Public Schools as the next Superintendent of the Branford Public School System.

Pending full Board approval, Tranberg will begin work July 1, 2023. He will succeed Hamlet Hernandez who announced his retirement last year after thirteen years as superintendent.

Tranberg is Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Darien schools. He has held the position since 2020. Prior to Darien, Tranberg held a number of administrative positions in Connecticut school systems including; Assistant Superintendent in Granby, Principal of Avon High School, Assistant Principal of Simsbury High School, and the Director of Performing Arts for Simsbury Public Schools.

“Joining the Branford Public Schools as Superintendent is the opportunity of a lifetime. I instantly felt welcomed by the Board. The District has a reputation for excellence paired with a clear desire and passion to accomplish great things for students; there is no combination better. I look forward to meeting students, staff, and families and working collaboratively with the community for many years to come.” Tranberg said in a statement.

Tranberg worked for several years as an elementary school music teacher in school systems in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Ohio before pursuing his career as a public-school administrator. "The Board’s selection committee was impressed with his commitment to providing access to learning for all students and to building a professional learning culture that creates the best teachers and system leaders," according to a news release from the district.

“We see Dr. Tranberg as the perfect candidate to build on the successes of Superintendent Hernandez who has effectively led Branford schools through some of the most challenging times in our history,” said Board Chair Peter Berdon in a statement. “Dr. Tranberg’s philosophy of continuous improvement and collaboration with all stakeholders works well with the tenants of our current strategic planning.”

“I’m very pleased the Board’s search committee found a strong candidate who can take over the important work of the school District,” said Hernandez in a statement. “Dr Tranberg’s experience and philosophy will provide for a smooth transition. I would like to thank the Board and Town for the opportunity to serve as its Superintendent, and to express my profound appreciation to the staff for their remarkable work over the last thirteen years.”

Tranberg earned his Ph. D. In Educational Policy, Research and Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He holds a Master’s Degree (MMEd) from the University of Hartford, a Bachelor’s Degree(BME) from Baldwin-Wallace University, and he is a graduate of the Sacred Heart Universities’ Superintendent Certificate Program.

Tranberg is an active presenter and consultant in the areas of strategic planning and organizational improvement, curriculum development, measurement and evaluation, teacher collaboration, and music education. He is co-author of First Steps in Music with Orff Schulwerk and the upcoming Conversational Solfege with Orff Schulwerk published by GIA

Information supplied by the Branford School District concerning Tranberg

Dr. Tranberg is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for the Darien Public Schools, a position he has held since March of 2020.
Prior to his work in Darien Dr. Tranberg held administrative positions as the Assistant Superintendent of the Granby Public Schools, Principal of Avon High School, Assistant Principal of Simsbury High School, and Director of Performing Arts for the Simsbury Public Schools.

Before his work as a public school administrator, Dr. Tranberg enjoyed several years as an elementary music teacher in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Ohio.

With over twenty years of experience in public education, Dr. Tranberg has a history of exhibiting passion and commitment to providing access to learning for all students. Through building professional learning cultures, providing high-quality learning experiences for teachers and leaders, and developing sustainable and innovative plans for continuous improvement, Dr. Tranberg collaboratively works with all stakeholders to enhance learning communities.

Dr. Tranberg earned his Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Research and Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He also holds a Master’s Degree (MMEd) from the University of Hartford and a Bachelor’s Degree from BaldwinWallace University (BME).

He is also a graduate of the Sacred Heart Universities’ Superintendent Certification Program.

Dr. Tranberg is an active presenter and consultant in the areas of strategic planning and organizational improvement, curriculum development, measurement and evaluation, teacher collaboration, and various topics in music education. He is coauthor of First Steps in Music with Orff Schulwerk and the upcoming Conversational Solfege with Orff Schulwerk published by GIA.