Thomas Scarice Hired As Madison's New Superintendent

The Madison Board of Education officially hired Tuesday evening.

Scarice, who is currently the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Weston Public Schools, attended the Board of Education meeting, accompanied by his wife, his three children, his father, his brother-in-law, his father-in-law, and his mother-in-law, who were waiting to attend a reception in Scarice's honor after the meeting.

Following a meeting where Scarice's contract was accepted, the Board of Education held the reception in his honor on the bridge between the two sections of Daniel Hand High School. The bridge was packed with teachers, administrators, town officials and town residents who wanted to meet Scarice.

The Board of Education meeting and reception were attended by Board of Education members Cindy Wood, Ryan Suerth, Robert Ruggiero, Pamela Meier, Jean Fitzgerald, John Dean, and Board of Education Chairman  Debra Frey. Board of Education Member Seth Klaskin was out of the country and could not attend, Frey said, but sent his best wishes and an expression of regret that he could not be there in person to vote in favor of Scarice.

The vote to accept Scarice's contract was unanimously accepted by those who attended. All of the board members who attended either welcomed Scarice or spoke in favor of his hiring. Jean Fitzgerald said the board, among other qualities, was seeking someone who would work collaboratively and that Scarice was a perfect fit. Ryan Suerth noted that he has a young daughter in the school system. "I'm entrusting her future education to you," he said. " I know you won't disappoint me."

Robert Ruggiero, surveying all of the family members who were waiting to accompany Scarice to the reception after the meeting said their attendance "tells me a lot about you, that your whole family would drive down from Cheshire for this."

Board of Education Member Bill Clorite was among educators and administrators able to attend a luncheon meeting with Scarice earlier Tuesday, but a last minute conflict prevented him from attending the meetings and reception Tuesday evening, Frey said.

"Fortunately, I was able to attend the luncheon for Tom yesterday to congratulate him on his selection," Clorite said via email Wednesday.

Prior to the open meeting, the Board of Education met in executive session to finalize Scarice's contract and salary. Madison Board of Education Chairman Debra Frey said Scarice's salary will be $198,000 annually, with a contract term of three years. Scarice also will receive an annuity of $5,000 and typical fringe benefits, Frey said. Any potential increase to salary will be determined/negotiated after a performance review at the end of the first year of the contract, she said.

Frey said the board hopes to have Scarice start as soon as July 1, but that the exact start date is still under negotiation.

At the reception following the meeting, Scarice said he stopped by every one of Madison's schools on Tuesday and that he loved what he saw.

"I wish I could start yesterday," he said.

This story was revised at 6:58 a.m. on Wednesday to add details about Scarice's contract and information about Board of Education member Bill Clorite.