New Superintendent Goeler Looks Forward

Amid the flash of a few cameras and beside a smiling Region 14 Board of Education, Jody Goeler was on Monday night.

Goeler was unanimously elected out of a pool of 25 applicants, including five serious candidates and three that returned for in-depth interviews during the search process. He is expected to finish the school year in his role as Avon Assistant Superintendent after almost 20 years in the system before moving over to Region 14 on August 15.

When asked how he would handle any issues within the school system that he may be inheriting, Goeler said he is only looking forward and is focused on working with the Region 14 staff and its community to move the system in the same direction.

"There is no more important a decision for a Board of Education than the selection of a superintendent," said board chairman Stephen Sordi during Goeler's introduction. "One of his previous colleagues described him as a great person who would be a 'home run' for Region 14."

Sordi also thanked "the over 200 staff, students, parents and community members who contributed" to the search process.

Goeler will replace Gregory Little, the interim superintendent since March. Little filled in during the search process after Dr. Robert Cronin, the previous superintendent, moved to the North Haven school system.