New London — The school board has extended the contract for Superintendent Cynthia Ritchie by another year, to 2023, intent on providing the district with some of the stability it has lacked in the past.

The unanimous vote on the new three-year contract came last week, following a closed-door discussion by the Board of Education. While the contract was not discussed in public session and the extension never specifically mentioned, Ritchie and board members later confirmed the details.

School board Vice President Jefferey Hart summed up his thoughts on the vote by saying, “we like her and want to keep her.”

Hart, who was serving on the board when Ritchie was hired in 2018, credited her for professionalism in the face of a messy situation in her first year involving the arrest of several school employees, including one charged in the sexual assault of middle school students.

Ritchie directly addressed the situation in part by reorganizing the district's human resources department. Hart said Ritchie expects a lot out of her staff, wants the best for the district and “leads by setting a great example.”

Ritchie, who earns a base salary of $177,000, did not ask for a raise from her previous contract that was approved in 2019.

School board member Rob Pero said he agreed Ritchie was doing a good job, especially during these times of crisis, but also would have liked the opportunity to evaluate her. The last evaluation was completed by the outgoing school board. Pero also has called for more information to be brought to the school board for meetings in a timely matter, for the benefit of the board and the public.

Ritchie, who served as an assistant superintendent in East Hartford before her hire in New London, was midway into her first school year here when the sexual assault scandal rocked the district. She is now contending with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My time thus far has been a whirlwind, leading through an unexpected criminal investigation year one and a traumatic health crisis year two,” Ritchie said in an email. “With that said, students remain the center of our focus. I am proud and grateful for the multiple staff who have stepped up in so many ways to support students, families and each other, as we continue to transform each day, to live up to our new vision to be United in Excellence.”

Ritchie said she has focused a lot of her work on operations, academics and relationships. And while proud of what she called “deep improvements made in implementing new systems, structures and accountability measures,” she said there is more work to do. The current task at hand is developing three different reopening plans for the school district in response to the pandemic. 

“Our goals continue to be to provide the highest level of academics, while keeping all safe,” she said. “Limited space and limited finances continue to be our challenges coupled with two active construction projects.”

The district is at the start of a $157 million project to rebuild its middle and high schools.

“It is my hope that new opportunities will be available for students and staff come fall,” Ritchie said. “I am one who believes the existing model we are using to educate students across the country is overdue for a make-over ... it is truly over 200 years old! I plan to lead in the coming years with new ways of thinking, doing and achieving, uniting all in excellence, on behalf of our students.”

g.smith@theday.com