New Schools Superintendent Named In East Haven

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

EAST HAVEN, CT – Assistant Superintendent of Schools Erica Forti has been hired to be the Superintendent of Schools by the Board of Education even though some members tried to put off the move because they felt the hiring process was “rushed.”

At a special meeting of the school board on Nov. 1st, the board voted 6 in favor with two abstentions to hire Forti, who has been acting superintendent since June 30th, when the contract of previous School Superintendent Dr. Portia Bonner ran out.

Bonner’s contract was not extended by the school board.

Forti was hired after an executive session meeting of the board. When the board came out of the executive session, a motion was made by board member MaryAnn Pellegrino to table the vote on hiring Forti to a future meeting. That motion failed by a 5-3 vote.

After that vote, a motion was by Board of Education Chairman John Finkle to go ahead with the hiring of Forti. All voted in favor of the hiring except for board members Louis Pacelli and Christine Maisano.

Maisano said she did not feel comfortable voting without a contract in front of her. Furthermore she stated she felt the process was not finished, was rushed and not transparent. Pacelli said he agreed with Maisano.

There is no indication in the minutes of the meeting concerning the length time that Forti was hired, nor the salary she will be earning in the position.

Attempts to reach Finkle for clarification on these points were not returned.

Patch will continue to try and get clarification and update this story if it does.