Easton, Redding, R9 School Districts Name New Superintendent

EASTON/REDDING, CT — The Easton, Redding, and Region 9 Boards of Education voted unanimously to appoint Rydell Harrison their next superintendent of schools at a meeting Tuesday night.

Harrison is currently the superintendent of Watertown (CT) Public Schools, was selected from a pool of over 30 applicants, according to a news release from the Boards.

The Personnel Search Steering Committee, under the direction of Christopher Hocker (Redding) and Randy Hicks (Easton), worked throughout the month of July. At the outset of the process, stakeholder forums were held to gather feedback from building staff, administrators, parents, and the broader community. The steering committee reviewed each application packet, held initial interviews with six candidates, and conducted second round interviews with the three finalists. Each finalist interview was attended and evaluated by all twenty-one board members.

Harrison holds a doctoral degree in education leadership from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a master's degree in divinity from Duke University, and a bachelor's degree in music from Rutgers University.

Before relocating to Connecticut in 2017, Harrison served as a teacher, building level administrator, central office staff member, and as an assistant superintendent in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school district in North Carolina.

"Dr. Harrison's experience and insights are exactly what we need. He has a deep appreciation for all of the challenges we face, and he's committed to building relationships with teachers, students, parents, and the community. I’m thrilled that we were able to find such a perfect fit," said Jon Stinson, chair of the Easton Board of Education.

Chris Parkin, chair of the Redding Board of Education, said: "I am excited to welcome Dr. Harrison to ER9. His warmth, energy, and vision for the future of education are perfectly suited for our communities’ continuing commitment to educate the whole child."

Todd Johnston, chair of the Region 9 Board of Education, said: "We had a very large group of candidates from inside and outside the state with a wide range of experiences and diversity. Dr. Harrison was consistently at the top of the list in each round. He has experience in all the areas our districts are facing: re-opening planning, distance learning, diversity/equity/inclusion, special education insourcing, declining enrollment, and budgeting. We are fortunate to have Dr. Harrison join us in ER9. We look forward to Dr. Harrison working with the students, teachers, administrators, staff, and parents as we start school in the fall.

Harrison's official start date is being negotiated. He replaces Thomas McMorran who has been superintendent for the three districts the past five years.