Greenwich School Board Extends Superintendent's Contract

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Board of Education last week extended the contract of schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones, but the vote was not unanimous.

Jones' contract, which was set to expire June 30, 2025, will now run through June 30, 2026.

Board Vice Chair Karen Hirsh, Laura Kostin, Sophie Koven, Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony and Kathleen Stowe voted in favor of the extension, while Board Chair Karen Kowalski and Secretary Wendy Vizzo Walsh voted against. Cody Kittle abstained.

In June 2023, a motion to give Jones a two-year extension to June 30, 2026, failed along party lines. The board instead voted on a one-year extension, with some members saying they wanted to see how Jones performed as the district's strategic plan was implemented.

"There were several concerns we raised last year, including the state of special education, transparency and academic achievement for all. We did receive results in October based upon the academic achievement of our students, and we knew many of those metrics had not been met. In fact, some had slipped below prior years' marks, which was very concerning," Kowalski said during last week's BOE meeting.

"Overall academic achievement is down. Our students are not performing equally," Kowalski added, noting the ability for the district to retain talented teachers "continues to be a concern."

"I'm voting 'no' on renewal, as I have grave concerns going forward and I think it's a time to explore different opportunities for the advancement and growth of our Greenwich Public Schools system," Kowalski said.

Vizzo Walsh agreed with Kowalski.

"Many of the speakers tonight, in addition to Chairperson Kowalski, reiterated many of the concerns I shared with the board in our executive session, and for those reasons, I cannot in good conscience vote for the renewal of this contract," she said.

Those in favor of extending Jones mentioned her leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic, and the stability she has provided the district following a period of rotating superintendents in town.

"We all go back to COVID, because it's an example of how you are so innovative in extremely difficult situations," Stowe told Jones. "You just have led us through so many difficult times, and I look forward to you continuing to create stability for our district."

Koven agreed, saying continuity in the superintendent position is critical, especially with where the school district is with various projects on improving academic experience, and capital projects to improve school infrastructure.

"Our responsibility is to the children, and a transition is very disruptive and harmful to their educational experience," Koven said.

Resident Kathleen Brady praised Jones for her work in Greenwich, and said "overall, the distict has momentum on a number of critical areas, including the capital budget, and most importantly, student achievement."

"I'm therefore bewildered by why the board would not extend Dr. Jones, giving her a multi-year contract. Are we chasing the next shiny new idea while turning our backs on what works?" she said.

Kittle said he was hesitant on extending Jones, not because of her capabilities, but because he was not satisfied with "elements of the way the contract itself is set up." Kittle didn't share what elements he didn't like.

Jones was first appointed to lead Greenwich Public Schools in January 2019.