Former Nonnewaug Principal Finalist for Weston Superintendant Job

Monroe Superintendent of Schools Colleen Palmer is a finalist for the schools chief post in Weston, officials said Friday.

If hired, she would take over for John Reed, a retired Newtown schools superintendent who is serving as Weston's interim superintendent.

A survey by a consultant for the Weston Board of Education found its residents want a new superintendent of schools with experience at a high performing district, a doctorate degree, an understanding of classroom issues, budgets and team building, and a good communicator with strong fiscal management skills. Most of all, Weston residents want a “visionary,” officials said.

The search committee tapped Palmer as the right fit for the job. She is the finalist to succeed Jerome Blair, who resigned in February to lead the Waterford School District.

, who served as Newtown's schools superintendent from 1982 to 2002 and for whom Reed Intermediate School is named. Reed agreed to serve on an interim basis, having familiarity with Weston and the job. He was Weston's interim superintendent between August 2007 and May 2008. Reed also serves as chairman of Newtown's Fairfield Hills Authority.

The Weston School District issued a press release on its superintendent search late Friday afternoon:

"The Weston Board of Education has been engaged in a diligent search for a new Superintendent following the community and staff focus groups that were conducted earlier this year. After several interviews, the Board has identified Dr. Colleen Palmer, Superintendent of the Monroe Public Schools, as the finalist for the position. Dr. Palmer’s candidacy is subject to a satisfactory site visit, background check, and formal appointment by the Board.

"The Board would have preferred to have announced Dr. Palmer’s successful candidacy following the completion of the necessary due diligence. However, the rapid, unintended spread of information in Monroe has made Dr. Palmer’s status as our finalist common knowledge there.

"Philip Schaefer, Chairman of the Board of Education, stated: “We are very excited to have identified Dr. Palmer as our finalist. Dr. Palmer is an experienced and dynamic educational leader, and we are fortunate to have such an outstanding candidate for Superintendent. We are looking forward to the successful completion of our due diligence and Dr. Palmer’s official appointment.”

When reached on Friday, Palmer declined to comment at this time.

Palmer was hired as Monroe's superintendent of Schools when Alan Beitman left to accept the job at another district in 2008.