Orange Educator to Become Bethany Superintendent

The Bethany Board of Education has announced that Coleen Murray will be the next superintedent.

She comes to Bethany after 30-years in elementary education mostly in Milford and Orange. She is currently director of curriculum in the Orange school district.

More from the BOE:

The selection of the Superintendent of Schools is perhaps the single most important decision that the Board of Education makes. We are extremely appreciative of the more than 90 teachers, administrators, other school staff, parents, and other community members who have contributed to this process over the past four months, through surveys and focus groups, and who have provided their perspectives in helping define the essential qualities of our next Superintendent.

The search process was lengthy. We received over 20 inquiries and 17 applications. These were carefully reviewed, with specific reference to the qualities and characteristics identified as key for the position by community stakeholders. The Board selected six candidates to be interviewed; they constituted an impressive group of dedicated educators. Three of these were asked back for a second interview, during which they provided a written document for our review and made a presentation.

Any one of these three would have made a superb Superintendent and provided strong leadership for Bethany. Finally, during a third interview, our finalist presented a detailed entry plan and answered specific questions about her ideas for the District. Simultaneously, we completed extensive reference and background checks. Throughout this process, Colleen Murray rose to the top of a very competitive group. Several other candidates were highly qualified, and we would not be surprised to see them become successful Superintendents elsewhere in the near future; but the Board quickly came to unanimously feel that Ms. Murray was a uniquely good match for our District, our school, and our town. Board members were struck by her energy, infectious optimism, deep knowledge of curriculum and policy, breadth of experience at all levels, and impressive history of leadership.

Dr. Pittenger, Chair of the Board of Education, said “Our District is headed in a good direction, and Colleen Murray is the right person to lead us into the future. She brings enormous strengths and experience to Bethany, and we are excited to work with her and to see the great things that she can do for our children and our school.” Page 2 September 17, 2015 Ms. Murray has taught at all elementary grade levels, from kindergarten through grade six (with the exception of grade 3); this breadth of classroom experience was unique among our applicants. While she was teaching in Milford she was instrumental in leading her school to successfully compete for a United States Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award. She has been principal of both a Pre-K/kindergarten school and a grade 1-6 elementary school. These experiences laid the foundation for her current districtlevel leadership role as Director of Curriculum in Orange, where she has been successful in building the capacity of her staff and enhancing student growth at all levels.

Under this leadership, Orange achieved particularly strong results on the latest, very challenging standardized educational assessments mandated by the State of Connecticut. In her current role Ms. Murray has also had extensive experience in school budgeting, policy, and managing the District through unanticipated challenges. Throughout the interview process, Ms. Murray exhibited a deep knowledge about curriculum and student learning, the integration of technology into a 21st Century education, strategic planning, finances and budgeting, relevant laws and school policy, and collaborative leadership.

She shared creative and distinctive ideas about how best to educate our children, engage with parents and with the community, inspire our teachers, and move our school forward. Co-workers, supervisors, teachers, Board members, and parents with whom Ms. Murray has worked were unanimous in their praise of her abilities and character. They spoke of her energy, passion, dedication, deep knowledge, integrity, and commitment to keeping the children as the central focus in every decision she makes.

They described her leadership as collaborative and respectful. They told us that she holds all students, staff, and children to high expectations, but at the same time that she provides the support and the understanding needed to help them meet these goals. She has accepted challenging assignments and shown perseverance, courage, optimism, and unwavering belief in the capacity of people to achieve meaningful change.

One reference, a former Superintendent, said: “I would hire her in a heartbeat . . . . she will make you proud.” A parent said “. . . she is a natural-born leader who is very hands-on and interested in the growth and development of every child with whom she interacts.” We anticipate that she will officially begin her new position in late October.

A reception will be planned in the near future; we will disseminate details of that event as they are finalized. We are particularly grateful to two dedicated professionals who have assisted us through this process: Dr. Ernest Perlini has served as our interim superintendent for the past several months and will assist Ms. Murray with the transition to her new role in October. Dr. Jacqueline Jacoby of CABE Search Consultants has very effectively guided the search process. We couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome, and we thank them both for their expert support.

Please join us in welcoming Ms. Colleen Murray as the new Superintendent of Schools for Bethany