Milford Schools Superintendent Decides Her Future: Report

MILFORD, CT — When Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Feser was hired back in 2011 the school system was in desperate need for stability and calm after past scandals involving former school chiefs. And she delivered and produced a tranquil seven years as the district's leader and oversaw some of the lowest budget increases ever in Milford schools history.

On Wednesday, Feser announced plans to retire at the end of the school year, the Milford Mirror reports. Feser also led the schools through tragedy when Maren Sanchez, 16, was stabbed to death at Jonathan Law High School in 2014. She was named the state's top superintendent back in 2015 by the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), a statewide nonprofit educational administration organization which represents public school superintendents, assistant superintendents and other educational leaders across the state.

In a letter to staff, which the Milford Mirror obtained, Feser said, “I am ready for a new beginning and new opportunities. Seven years ago I was privileged and honored to be hired in Milford. Over the last seven years, we have collectively grown and strengthened the Milford Public Schools across all grade levels and programs."

When Feser was named top schools chief back in 2015, Joseph Cirasuolo, Executive Director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), said then, "For a number of years, Dr. Feser has exemplified the integrity, knowledge, vision, collaboration communication skills, work ethic, human goodness and passion for the welfare of children that are hallmarks for very effective superintendents of schools. Her leadership of a school system, therefore, is a model for how Superintendents can and should lead."

Prior to joining The Milford Public Schools as Superintendent in April, 2011, Dr. Feser served nine years as the Superintendent of the Windsor CT Public Schools. She was also the former Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in the New Canaan CT Public Schools.

In 2005, Dr. Feser received the Windsor Bridge Builders Award and in 1993, she was honored by the CT Council for Exceptional Children. In addition, she is the recipient of the Women's History Project Award in Danbury CT and was honored by the United Way in Danbury for her leadership in the United Way campaign.
Dr. Feser has published a number of articles and has been recognized many times for community leadership in Windsor and Milford.

Dr. Feser holds an Ed.D. from Columbia University, two Masters Degrees in Education, one from Columbia University and another one from Boston College, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. Xavier College.

For more details, please read the Milford Mirror story here.

Photo is from December 2014. [Pictured left to right are then Board Members Dr. Heidi Gold Dworkin, Laura Fucci, John DeRosa, Michael DeGrego, Susan Glennon, Dr. Elizabeth Feser (Superintendent), Earl Whiskeyman, Robert Satti, Suzanne DiBiase, and Anthony Piselli.]