STAMFORD, CT — Incoming Superintendent Dr. Aidan Talley will earn a base salary of $327,750, according to his contract, which Stamford Public Schools recently posted.
A career educator with more than 35 years of experience, Talley will join the district from Indian Prairie School District 204 in Illinois, where he has served as superintendent since July 2020.
Talley's contract term runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. The agreement includes provisions allowing the Stamford Board of Education to consider extending the contract for up to three additional years at a time.
In addition to his base salary, Talley will receive a $3,000 stipend in recognition of his doctorate degree. The contract also allows for an annual incentive payment of up to $25,000 if performance criteria established by the Board of Education are met.
Other fringe benefits include a one-time $15,000 moving stipend and board-paid executive coaching during Talley's first year.
Talley holds a doctorate in education administration and policy from The George Washington University, a master’s degree in higher education administration from Boston College, and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Virginia.
The appointment of Talley on April 27 followed a nationwide search conducted by Zeal Education Group, which reviewed 27 candidates from 11 states. The board identified five semifinalists who were interviewed in March before selecting finalists for in-person interviews last month.
Current Superintendent Dr. Tamu Lucero will leave the district to serve as the director and head of school at a private, PreK-12 international school in Africa, effective July 1.
Lucero is earning a base salary of $319,000 for the 2025-2026 school year.
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