Middletown Has Its New Superintendent Of Schools

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Middletown has found its new superintendent of schools. Joseph Macary is headed to the city's public school system from Vernon.

Macary told Patch about his decision early Wednesday morning and then sent out a letter to the Vernon school community thaty he is moving to Middletown.

He cited a long commute over an 11-year period and the need to be closer to family as two reasons for the switch. He lives in Wolcott.

Said the Middletown school board, "Dr. Joseph Macary is an award-winning educational leader currently serving
as the Superintendent of Vernon Public Schools in Connecticut. With a comprehensive career spanning classroom teaching, department leadership, and district administration, he has a proven track record of driving student achievement and fostering strong community relations."

Macary said, "I am honored to be selected as the next Superintendent of Schools for the City of Middletown. I would like to thank the Board of Education for their
confidence in me to lead the district to the next level of educational excellence." "Middletown is a caring community that values education and together we are going to do what is best for all students."

Hired in 2015, Macary holds the third-longest tenure as superintendent in Vernon history.

Macary sent an emotional letter to the Vernon community:

"Dear Vernon Families,

"Hope you are all doing well.

"It is with a heavy heart that I write this e-mail. I have been offered the position of Superintendent of Schools for the City of Middletown and I have accepted it. Last night, I submitted my resignation to the Vernon Board of Education. I have spent the last 11 years of my professional career here in Vernon as Superintendent and I have enjoyed every minute of it. This is a great school district made up of people who truly care about students and their learning. The decision to leave was a personal one, to begin the next chapter of my professional career.

"My last day of work in Vernon is July 6, 2026. I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition and finishing off the school year strong. I will continue to work closely with the Board of Education and District Administrators to lead our schools towards educational excellence. Together, Students Learn, Achieve and Succeed and we have put Vernon “on the map” by doing "what is best for all students." This philosophy has driven the district towards high standards of teaching and learning for all students. With our District Strategic Plan, it will remain the focus for years to come… I am proud of the work we have accomplished together, and I look forward to great things from our students and schools. Thank you for your support and confidence you’ve had in me."

Under Macary's tenure, Vernon's "Alliance District" label was turned into a showcase school system, especially in terms of capital improvement. One example os a completely revamped Agricultural Science and Technology Education center at Rockville High School.

Another is a new outdoor athletic facility at RHS.

Test scores have reached new levels in Vernon during his tenure. Macary was named the 2024 Connecticut Superintendent of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents. He has been recognized for his leadership, community involvement, and student performance improvements.

His salary in Vernon is $247,579. In Middletown, it will be $280,000 for the 2026-2027 school year.

Macary is headed to a school system reeling from a administrative scandal. Alberto Vazquez Matos was terminated as the Middletown Public Schools superintendent in November following a drunken driving arrest DUI arrest in Florida and a contractual breach regarding a lapsed certification.

Police records indicate he had driver's licenses in both Connecticut and Florida and a body cam video of a cumbersome field sobriety test in Florida showed him wearing a Middletown High School athletics shirt.

A search commenced immediately after his firing.

“The Board of Education confidently and unanimously chose Dr. Joseph Macary from a pool of 30 applicants to be the next Superintendent of Schools. He is coming to Middletown from a high ranking Alliance district that has seen much growth in his tenure,” said Sheila Daniels, the Middletown Board
of Education Chairwoman. "We are eager to work with Dr. Macary to bring our district to new heights, seeing educational advancement for all of the students, as well as supporting their families, and our faculty and staff."

Alan Addley, who is currently serving as Interim Superintendent of Schools, will continue in the role until the completion of his contract this summer. Addley will support Macary and the Middletown Public Schools administration to ensure a smooth and successful transition between
superintendents.

"The District and the Board of Education is incredibly grateful
for Dr. Addley’s leadership and service to the community during this school year," the school board said.

The executive candidate search was conducted by New England School Development Council, with leadership from, Christine Syriac and Vonda Tencza.