School Board Goes with Who it Knows to Lead the District During Superintendent Search

The Board of Education turned to two familiar faces to serve as superintendent and assistant superintendent of Monroe Public Schools, while a search is underway to replace Dr. Colleen Palmer and longtime assistant schools chief Richard Canfield, who are both leaving Monroe to head other school districts.

John Goetz, who had filled in after Supt. of Schools Alan Beitmann left Monroe a few years ago, has been hired as interim superintendent once again, and Masuk High School Principal John Battista will serve as interim assistant superintendent.

The board also tapped the New England School Development Council to assist in the search process, according to a press release issued Friday.

Palmer has accepted the superintendent's job in Weston and Canfield will take the helm of the school system in Sandwich, Mass.

Goetz, who is completing an interim assignment in Mamaroneck, New York, had been principal of Danbury High School for many years, where he was once named Connecticut High School Principal of the Year. He later became superintendent of schools in Brookfield.

Prior to embarking on his current job in Mamaroneck, Goetz completed an interim position in Stamford.

Battista, a 28-year-veteran of Monroe Public Schools, has experience as director of personnel. Before coming to Masuk, Battista was principal of Chalk Hill School. During his 10 years at Masuk, he led the school through its accreditation via the New England  Association of Schools and Colleges.

Battista's in-depth knowledge of the school system and the community will be a valuable asset in the transition process, according the Board of Education press release.

The New England School Development Council (NESDEC) is a not-for-profit organization serving school districts throughout the six New England states. James Connelly will serve as the lead consultant for the superintendent search.

The Board of Education has already met with NESDEC consultants to review various elements of the search process and to develop a search time line.

An integral part of the process will involve parent and community participation in focus groups, according to the board. The groups are designed to attain input regarding the attributes, experiences and knowledge that the new superintendent should possess, and to identify immediate tasks and challenges to address.

Information accumulated from the focus groups will be valuable to the board as it interviews and considers candidates.

For information about the superintendent search and for periodic updates, visit the district website at monroeps.org.