The Board of Education on Monday formally accepted Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Kolek’s resignation, effective June 30, and appointed itself as a search committee for her successor.
New Canaan Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mary Kolek and Board of Education Chair Hazel Hobbs. Credit: Michael Dinan
Chair Hazel Hobbs noted during a short meeting—held in New Canaan High School’s library—that seven current school board members had been serving during the prior search, following Dr. David Abbey’s departure, including five on the prior search committee itself.
“This is a short timeframe for us, but this is a very experienced and thoughtful and caring Board of Education, so I am sure the search is going to be a sincere one, well thought out and carefully done,” Hobbs said.
The bulk of the meeting saw board members express gratitude and admiration for Kolek, who last Tuesday announced her retirement. In an interview with NewCanaanite.com that day, the superintendent had spotlighted close collaboration with parents and the town, as well as important programs recently introduced, such as full-day kindergarten, World Languages and an evolution of the curriculum.
New Canaan Board of Education Vice Chair Scott Gress. Credit: Michael Dinan
Board Vice Chair Scott Gress praised Kolek’s fortitude in pushing forward with key district initiatives.
“You certainly have come in and—in what is a greatly shorter period of time than many of us what have liked—done more than your share of pushing that ball forward down the road,” Gress said. “In many ways, [you] took on some of the bigger hills that the road has shown us. But we understand that it is time to pass that job on to the next one and we appreciate everything you did, and rest assured that we will keep pushing the ball as hard and as quickly as we can.”
Kolek credited the team of staff and faculty in New Canaan Public Schools, as well as the larger community, for success and collaboration.
“This district values education and educators and that combination in learning is such a winning combination, and I’m greatly appreciative that this community also understands that collaboration—and quite frankly, interdependence—is a critical ingredient to moving ahead and being successful,” Kolek said.
Here is a statement that Hobbs read during the meeting:
“Dr. Kolek began her educational career 38 years ago and at every step along the way she has proven herself to be an outstanding educator. During her 10 years in New Canaan, she has been the architect of many of New Canaan’s exemplary programs including continuous gains in student academic performance, developing a coherent and aligned curriculum, all day kindergarten, expansion of the visual and performing arts, Chinese language study, Foreign Language in Elementary Schools, and an expanded use of technology. She has the highest integrity, strong people skills, is a persuasive communicator, an unsurpassed advocate of the education profession, and a tremendous supporter of teachers, parents and students. We will miss her greatly, but wish her all the best in her retirement.”
Here’s a clip from a momentarily emotional Kolek during the meeting:
