Norwich postpones superintendent search

Norwich - The Board of Education will delay the search for a new superintendent until after the city budget is approved, which likely won't be until May or June, saying that without a budget, the board would not be able to form a salary package for prospective candidates.

The board voted Tuesday to name itself as the Executive Search Committee and met behind closed doors for more than an hour to discuss the search and whether to hire a professional search consultant.

"At the present time, our city and state are faced with critical and significant financial burdens and difficulties that are expected to continue," the board stated in a press release issued at 10 p.m. Tuesday. "As the Board of Education enters the time of year that the budget is formulated, the board's primary focus must center around the financial position of the city as relevant to the delivery of education in Norwich."

Board Chairman Charles Jaskiewicz said the position became clear as members started discussing what salary range they could offer and the cost of hiring a consultant - estimated at $15,000 to $18,000.

Jaskiewicz said the board faces possible cuts in the current year's budget, as well as additional expensive state mandates and possible future cuts from Hartford and from the city.

Current Superintendent Pamela Aubin will leave Norwich to become Montville's superintendent on Jan. 4. She earns $136,000 in Norwich, and will earn $158,000 in Montville.

The Norwich Board named Special Education and Student Services Director Abby Dolliver as interim superintendent at a salary of $131,000.

Before Tuesday's decision, Jaskiewicz had said he had wanted to have a new superintendent named in time for the person to start July 1.