Derby High School Principal Fran Thompson is leaving his position to become principal at Jonathan Law High School in Milford.
Thompson was principal at Derby for three years. He is scheduled to start at Jonathan Law Aug. 1.
In his short tenure in Derby, he managed to get a handle on safety issues at the school and guide the school through its accreditation review by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
In addition, Derby Superintendent Stephen Tracy said Thompson:
- Instituted a student advisory program to ensure that every student had some personal contact each month in a small group with a member of the school staff
- Brought two student/staff musical productions to the DHS stage (spring of 2009 and 2010)
- Devoted particular attention to the screening and recommendation of candidates for faculty positions
- Helped the athletic department’s move to the Naugatuck Valley League (NVL)
“Fran Thompson has worked tirelessly to improve the climate for learning and the quality of instruction at Derby High School,” Tracy said in a prepared statement. “Our high school has certainly changed for the better during his tenure. We thank him for his many contributions to our city and wish him well as he takes on this new opportunity in Milford.”
Milford Public School officials said Thompson was one of seven finalists for the job.
“Mr. Thompson brings a breadth of experience, having served as a leader in both Madison and Derby,” said Milford Superintendent Elizabeth Feser. “He has developed a culture of collaboration among staff and was a catalyst for significant curriculum improvement. He knows high schools and what is needed to build a culture that embraces all students while setting high expectations for learning.”
Derby school officials will begin meeting next week to begin the hunt for a new principal.
Before arriving in Derby, Thompson served as assistant principal at Daniel Hand High School in Madison from 2003 to 2008.
Prior to that, he was an English teacher at Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury.
He is 41 years old.
“The (School) Board appreciates the efforts that Mr. Thompson has made on behalf of Derby’s young people,” Derby School Board Chairman Ken Marcucio said in a prepared statement. “I am confident that Milford will benefit from the same enthusiasm and energy that he demonstrated in Derby.”
When reached for comment Tuesday, Thompson said any accomplishments at Derby High School — such as solving safety problems at the school — were a group effort.
“We moved mountains at that school. There were some major changes, but it was because everybody — students, parents, faculty, the superintendent, the board of education — were all on the same page. Everyone wanted a safe, academically successful climate. The students wanted it, the parents wanted it and the faculty made it happen. I was just a steward,” Thompson said.
He was certainly not in the fine tradition of Derby principals……Chromik, Dirienzo, Duggan, DiCenso…….I do not think he will be missed
I’m sure the reason for Mr. Thompson’s departure is financial but it’s not his financial gain he’s seeking. I think his reason for leaving is Derby’s continued refusal to fully fund a decent education budget. He’s worked with a shoe string budget and tied as many knots as he could but the string kept breaking. I wish him good luck and good fortune.
Sharpeye, I think I hit a (raw) nerve and I respectfully disagree. Mr. Thompson had great ideas to really expand the scope of DHS but was held to that shoe string budget. Now he will take his great ideas to a district who no doubt will listen with interest. Derby’s short sight is Milford’s gain.
Sharp Eye, I didn’t lick my opinion off a rock. I actually lifted it from the NEASC committee’s final comments which included the statement that Derby has insufficient per student spending.
http://valley.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/report_offers_sobering_view_of_derby_school_funding/
Do I have an unlimited spending budget??? No, I judiciously spend money, like everyone else. A high priority is education, as in it is the most important after food, clothing and shelter. I don’t buy high end clothing for me or my family. I coupon and shop sales to keep the food budget under control and I live in a modest home so that my husband and I can give our child/children a quality education. If that’s to be found in the public schools, fine. But if we have to seek private schools, then we will.
Money spent on education is almost never thrown away. No one is expecting Derby to jump to a Fairfield or Madison level of per student spending but an increase would not be wasted. It’s a smart investment in the future.
While no big Fran Thompson fan (or Steve Tracy fan either) – the town will never fund education adequately as long as only 16% of the population have kids in school. Most (and I stress most – not all)parents don’t care and don’t get involved until much too late. Its sad actually because its a catch 22 – we don’t invest in the schools and end up a town where no one wants to send their kids. The town’s leaders think they are doing a great job keeping spending down but then are surprised we are looked at negatively because our schools are poor….and yes – funding does improve test scores a sign of learning- simply look at who has high test scores in the state and see what they spend per pupil. Money allows programs to be put in place that takes learning to the next level.
I hear you however….however can’t and not wanting to are two different things. Why are Seymour, Oxford, Beacon Falls viewed better and have higher home values….better school systems…I mean they are practically right next door its not like they have more t hings to do or more business…..better school systems, more people want to move in……more people move in……property values rise. Then there is a buzz in town and it turns around the negative image. Downtown, poor school system, Cemetery high crime area…what we are doing IS NOT working….pretty plain to see. There is NO way people can say Derby is better now then in the 70’s….no way. Time to blow up the model….pay some more a month in taxes invest in the town and turn this thing around……,