Interim superintendent settling into job in Salem

Salem-With workers readying the Salem School for a $6.2 million renovation, Dr. H. Kaye Griffin has spent the first few days in her new job negotiating boxes and clutter in the school's hallways.

Griffin, the new interim, part-time school superintendent, is also working temporarily in a small office. None of that has kept her from assessing the Salem School's progress.

"From what I can see, this is a school district that has been very hard at work in developing its programs and curriculum and doing a lot of good work," she said. "I already see evidence of that. My role will be to keep that trend going in the right direction."

The Board of Education appointed Griffin for the 2011-12 school year on June 24 and started work on July 1. She will work three or two days a week as the board begins a search for a permanent replacement.

A native of Tennessee, Griffin retired in 2007 from Madison public schools with 38 years of teaching experience. She had taught in Houston for 19 years before moving to Connecticut for the 1988-89 school year.

Since her retirement, she has worked as interim superintendent in Madison, Sterling and the Fishers Island School District. She said she has taught public speaking, speech, English composition, English literature and theater art classes, as well.

Chairman Dan Kung said Griffin's experience in local and smaller school systems appealed to the school board, which voted in April to change the superintendent position from full-time to part-time.

"This is a new model for this school district, but I'm very encouraged that we can make it work," Griffin said.

Board of Education Vice Chairman Robert Green was the only member who opposed the vote to make the superintendency a part-time position.

Green and at least one resident, the Rev. Susan Nikirk, questioned why the board did not attempt to retain Donna Leake, the former superintendent, part-time. Leake accepted a similar position in Sprague.

Board members expressed a desire to hire an interim, part-time superintendent who had experience with building projects and renovations - and Griffin said she has that experience.

Early in her career, in Houston, her school district required her to serve on a school building committee, she said, and she also partly oversaw a building project in Madison.

The Salem School Building Committee was scheduled this week to select a bidder to replace two boilers in the school. The renovation project, which will start in the summer and continue throughout the school year, will also add insulation and windows, update bathrooms and improve ventilation. Repairs to the school's roof will be a major part of the project.

The Salem school system has also hired Benjamin Dix as its new director of special programs.

jeff.johnson@theday.com