There’s been a torrent of change happening within Derby schools.
Since last spring, the district lost four administrators to higher-paying jobs elsewhere.
Teachers, like their counterparts across the nation, are dealing with the new “common core” standards.
There is a new teacher and administrator evaluation process taking shape in Connecticut.
And then there are the annual attempts to improve academics within the struggling school district.
So how’s the superintendent, who’s been on the job less than a year, handling it?
He answers the question with a broad smile, brushing off an assumption about his job being stressful.
“You could say it’s stressful, but to me it’s one of the most exciting times to be in education. Some of the most significant changes in education in 40 years are occurring right now,” Derby Public Schools Superintendent Matthew Conway said.
Conway took the reins in Derby last January.
He presented the city last spring with a school budget that was, essentially, flat — aside from raises given to staffers from previously negotiated labor contracts. He’s also been a constant presence at local government meetings, even when school-related issues aren’t necessarily on the agenda.
So he’s a hit with Derby City Hall, where the mayor clashed in recent years over funding requests from the school board and former Superintendent Stephen Tracy.
Conway, a former state representative who worked previously as a principal within Hartford schools, said he’s settled in quite nicely in Derby.
“There is an incredible pride, with a lot of tradition. People genuinely care about the community and the children,” he said. “So far it’s been an amazing experience.”
He’s particularly impressed with the school board. The group goes beyond simply showing up at meetings. They’re all involved with the schools, going above and beyond their duties as school board members.
“I can’t say enough about the involvement of the Board of Education here. It’s incredible. I’m talking about their individual involvement, outside of board meetings,” Conway said.
The admiration is mutual, according to Ken Marcucio, Sr., the school board president.
“We’re very impressed with his work ethic and the amount of time he gives to Derby,” Marcucio said. “We’re getting grants that we never received before. He’s very cooperative with everyone on the board. We’re just thrilled.”
Marcucio said the only hesitation against hiring Conway last year was the fact he didn’t have previous experience as a school district superintendent.
“Some people had a little bit of a question about that, but he’s been amazing. That’s the only word I can really use,” Marcucio said.
Since the end of the last school year, Derby lost its former principal and a dean at the middle school, in addition to its former special education director and its chief financial officer.
The leaders all left for higher paying jobs elsewhere. It’s a fact of life, Conway said.
“Being next to Fairfield County, you are going to meet those challenges.” he said.
He said the departures gave the schools a chance to recruit new blood. In addition, the district is starting a program to develop talent within. The hope is future administrators in Derby will come from the rank and file. To make that happen, the district is putting a training program in place to train potential future leaders.
Conway also restructured the school district’s central office.
The duties of the former special education director have been spread to two special education supervisors. They don’t work within the central office. Instead, they are out in the school buildings, with one staffer supervising special education at the middle school and the high school. The other staffer supervises special education at the district’s two elementary schools.
“We wanted to provide more building-level support to the teachers and the administrators in the schools,” Conway said.
Using some funds from the state’s “Alliance District” funding, Derby schools also hired an “assistant superintendent for teaching and learning.”
It’s a critical position, because the fundamental way kids are taught is changing in the U.S.
The common core is a new set of academic goals meant to improve learning within U.S. classrooms. The Hartford Courant published a good story explaining the changes. National Public Radio recently dedicated air time to the issue as well.
The common core standards made the need for a curriculum person essential to the district, school officials said.
“We’ve been trying to get that for years and it has finally happened,” school board member Christine Robinson said.
The assistant superintendent’s duties include the development of curriculum to improve learning within Derby schools.
“Our needs right now are teaching and learning. We have new curriculum that is being implemented across the district. Teachers and administrators need support with that,” Conway said. “You have the common core state standards being implemented, not only throughout our district but throughout the state and the country. And you have a new teacher and administrator evaluation plan in the state of Connecticut being implemented. So we are reallocating our resources to meet all those needs.”
The district also lost its chief financial officer, who departed after a short stint in Derby. Finance duties are now spread among Conway, the new assistant superintendent, and existing staff within the finance department.
Conway has also set guidelines within the school system this year.
They are grouped into four general categories:
Academics: The district is putting new curricula into place, including a reading program. In addition, the district is creating new programs that match the new common core standards. The district is also putting a common assessment procedure in place to measure student learning.
Human Capital: The district is focusing on professional development to help teachers within its lowest-performing schools. And the teachers, in general, are being trained on new techniques and programs to help them with the new standards.
Operations: This year Derby is focusing on spending money for technology upgrades. It’s a must, since standardized testing within schools are all going online. The district is seeking grants to pay for the upgrades.
Culture and Climate: The district is strengthening programs to address the academic and social needs of a growing minority population in the Derby school district. More social service programs and agencies are being invited into the schools and administrators are taking steps to address the challenges presented by a growing transient population and illegal residency issues.
