Top Milford Educator Leaving for New Schools Job in Fairfield

Photo cutline: Cummings is pictured on the right, next to Schools Chief Operations Officer James L. Richetelli Jr.

After a 29-year educational career all in Milford, current Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Teaching and Learning Michael Cummings will be leaving at the end of June for a new position in the Fairfield Public Schools system, reports the Milford Mirror.

Cummings will assume his new job on July 1 and serve as the new director of elementary education in the Fairfield Public Schools.

Cummings told the Mirror’s Editor Jill Dion, “I am excited by the new opportunities Fairfield will offer. Having said that, I have a lot of great memories of students, staff and parents I have worked with for 29 years, and I will miss many people.”

In an email to Milford Patch, Cummings wrote, “I would only say that I have great appreciation for the community of Milford and the staff of the Milford Public Schools. There is a commitment to education and pride in the success of students that is rewarding.”

Milford Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Feser said Wednesday night, “It has been a privilege to work with Mike Cummings these past four years. His intelligence and expertise distinguish him, but even more so is his passionate commitment to the learning of children.

“He has been wonderful to work with as he is a team player, an incredibly hard worker, and a man of integrity. It is difficult to think of losing him as a colleague and partner, but at the same time I am excited for Mike as he takes on a new challenge in a new district. Milford has been very fortunate to have had Mike serving its children for 29 years. Our loss is Fairfield’s gain as they will be receiving a superb educator and leader,” Feser said. 

Cummings was named interim schools superintendent in Milford after former Schools Superintendents Harvey B. Polansky resigned. Cummings helped lead the school system through a reconfiguration which involved going to a K-2, 3-5 elementary school configuration and the closing of Simon Lake Elementary School.

Cummings earned a salary of $155,680 this year.

Here is Cummings resume via the Milford Public Schools website:

Mike Cummings holds the position of Assistant Superintendent of the Milford Public Schools. He has held this position since October 2007.

Mr. Cummings has spent the past 27 years in the Milford school district in many capacities as a professional educator.

After receiving a B.A. in history and politics from Fairfield University in 1984, followed by a M.A. in history from University of Notre Dame, Mr. Cummings began his career as a history teacher at Joseph A. Foran High School in 1986. During the first half of his career, he taught social studies at Meadowside and Orange Avenue Elementary schools, as well as West Shore Middle School. It was during this time he also received his 6th year certificate for Educational Administration at Southern Connecticut State University.

In 1995, Mr. Cummings was promoted to the position of principal of Meadowside School. He led the school until 2003, when he became the principal at Joseph A. Foran High School. In October 2007, he was named Assistant Superintendent of the district.

Mr. Cummings has been deeply involved in the continual improvement plan for the district throughout his career. He initiated an English language course for parents of immigrant students and developed and implemented a guided reading program still used throughout the district today. He served as chair of the kindergarten curriculum committee, the math curriculum committee, and the high school schedule revision committee. At the state level, Mr. Cummings was a member of the Visiting NEASC committee for Woodland High School in 2005, and a member of a subcommittee of the Connecticut Association of Schools studying the Advancement of the Understanding of Issues Critical to the Principal.

Over the years, Mr. Cummings has mentored new administrators and was responsible for overseeing the construction of an 8 classroom addition during his time at Meadowside Elementary.

A vibrant and long-time member of the Milford community, Mr. Cummings is a past member of the Milford Association of School Administrators (MASA), the American Red Cross, and the Milford Literacy Center, having served in various leadership roles in each. He received the Milford Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator award, the Milford Association of Patriotic Organizations award, and the Foran High School Teacher of the Year award.“I am excited by the new opportunities Fairfield will offer,” he added. “Having said that, I have a lot of great memories of students, staff and parents I have worked with for 29 years, and I will miss many people.