Schools Superintendent Sharon Locke Won't Seek Contract Extension

Written and reported by Naugatuck Patch Mayor Nancy Sasso Janis,

NAUGATUCK, CT —At Thursday night's Board of Education meeting, it was announced that Superintendent Sharon Locke will not be seeking to renew her contract when the term ends on June 30, 2020.

Locke shared the following statement "that comes from the bottom of my heart:"

"I want to thank the Board and the Naugatuck school community for allowing me to serve as your leader for the past 5.5 years. As I have said from my first days here, Naugatuck is a special place with the most caring and committed people. While it is time for me to begin the next leg of my life’s journey, I feel so blessed to have had this time with you.

"Too often, low-wealth districts are labeled “poor performing” even when the rate of student learning is greater than more wealthy districts. By nearly every measure we have to determine the quality of our schools and district, Naugatuck is a high performing district!

"And that is because we have the most amazing students! They are talented in so many ways. They are musicians, artists, writers, readers, mathematicians, scientists, problem solvers, athletes, and technology wizards. More importantly than all of that, they are good people who take care of one another! They are learning to use their voice to make our world a better place. I want to thank their families for partnering with us and trusting us to help develop their children. Our children are our best hope for a brighter future!

"The culture of kindness, learning, and equity in this district is guided by our administrators. They lead and cultivate relationships and expectations and are truly a gifted group of leaders. They learn from one another and lean on one another in the most authentic way. I am confident they will continue to lead this district toward improved outcomes for ALL of Naugatuck’s children.

"The teachers and staff in our schools are the real heroes in this district. They are the ones who shape the lives of our children through their everyday interactions. They create safe havens in the midst of an unsafe world. They nurture curiosity and instill confidence. They tend to wounds they can see as well as the ones they cannot see. They teach our children to become citizens who can think critically and help make our world more humane and just.

"My life’s journey has been blessed. Not always easy, but privileged just the same. And sometimes I have been downright lucky! When I came to Naugatuck as a new superintendent, I was lucky to have a Board who supported me and our improvement efforts. I was lucky there was some leverage in the budget to shift resources to reduce class sizes and update curriculum and technology.

I was lucky to inherit and hire a team of educators who never tired of my enthusiasm for a focus on classroom learning and equity. I was most especially lucky for the support, integrity, partnership, and leadership from Chris Montini and our leadership team.

And I am lucky to serve out the remainder of my contract with your continued love and support. I vow to continue to be my best self and your dedicated leader through our remaining months together. Thank you again for this opportunity and our amazing time together!

Very Truly Yours,

Sharon Locke