Greenwich Schools Superintendent Resigns For Move To Utah: Update

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich Public Schools released the following statement on the abrupt resignation of Dr. Jill Gildea, who is leaving her position as Superintendent of Schools to move to Utah. She is slated to become the superintendent in Park City, writes KPCW radio.

In a statement to Greenwich Free Press, Gildea said she considers it a privilege to have been a part of the Greenwich School System, and she is proud of her accomplishments in the district.

The Greenwich district will begin a search for her replacement immediately:

The Greenwich Board of Education (BOE) initiated recruitment efforts today for an Interim Superintendent immediately following Superintendent Dr. Jill Gildea’s announcement that she will be leaving the Greenwich Public Schools later this year due to her family’s unanticipated relocation to Utah. In addition, the search for a permanent Superintendent will begin without delay. Dr. Gildea will be available to provide support throughout the transition.

BOE Chair Peter Bernstein said, 'While we are certainly disappointed by the news of Dr. Gildea’s unexpected departure, we understand her decision and are grateful for her contributions in the ongoing execution of our Strategic Plan."

Mr. Bernstein continued, "The District is well-positioned to attract a new Superintendent based on the roadmap provided by our Strategic Plan, the continued success of our students and the continuity of our dedicated administrators and staff."

Notable District highlights include:
- Strong Student Achievement. As reflected across multiple measures, student achievement is improving:

• Fourth highest District Performance Index in Connecticut
  
• The District’s only high school ranking solidly among the top 2% in the country and top ten in CT, as reported in U.S. News and World Report
  
• Student successes in academic, athletic and art competitions at the State, national and international levels, including multiple Science Fair Awards, our ninth State championship in ten years for the high school math team, four teams qualifying to compete in National History Day contest, and numerous athletic team State championships and All-State musicians
  

- Innovative Strategic Plan. Our strategic vision for implementing a personalized learning experience for each student is flourishing in our schools
- Focus on Student Health and Well-Being. The recently implemented initiative to start secondary schools later in accordance with research findings on teen sleep has been affirmed
Highest Quality Staff. Our school administrators, teaching and support staff are of the highest caliber, regularly recognized with State-level awards and as presenters at State and National conferences
- Budget Support. $160 million operating budget and $18 million in capital projects for 2018-2019 were approved as submitted by our Representative Town Meeting (RTM) on May 14
- Long-term Facilities Plan. After a comprehensive year-long analysis, a proposed fifteen-year master plan sets the course for facilities and grounds maintenance and improvement
- New School Construction. New Lebanon School building project is on time and on budget

Mr. Bernstein closed by stating, "We anticipate a successful search to find our next Superintendent in line with community expectations for our District to educate all students to the highest levels of achievement, to enable them to reach and expand their potential and to prepare them to become productive, responsible, ethical, creative and compassionate members of society."

Original story: Dr. Jill Gildea, Superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools for only one full school year, is resigning her post, reports the Greenwich Time. A reason for the resignation has not been disclosed, but she is expected to make an official announcement at some point on Friday.

Gildea was hired by the district in March 2017 from the Fremont School District 79 in Mundelein, IL. Her three-year Greenwich contract began on July 1 of last year, and her annual salary is $250,000, with a $15,000 per year annuity. She also received a housing allowance of about $3,500 per month and a bonus of $20,000 for moving expenses.

She replaced interim Superintendent Sal Corda, who had taken over for former Superintendent William McKersie. Gildea and her husband, Greg Gildea, have three adult children and one child who attended Greenwich High School. She was selected for the Greenwich position following a national search.

Gildea's resignation is the second superintendent departure this week in lower Fairfield County. Dr. Dan Brenner, Darien's superintendent for the past three years, also announced his resignation.

Click here to read the full story on the Greenwich Time.

Photo: Dr. Jill Gildea. Photo credit: Greenwich Public Schools

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