BOE to appoint new superintendent

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Sharon Locke, the finalist for the Naugatuck school superintendent job, talks with teachers and administrators during a lunch at Naugatuck High School April 24 during a tour of the Naugatuck public school system. Locke is the current assistant superintendent of schools in New Britain. –RA ARCHIVE
Sharon Locke, the finalist for the Naugatuck school superintendent job, talks with teachers and administrators during a lunch at Naugatuck High School April 24 during a tour of the Naugatuck public school system. Locke is the current assistant superintendent of schools in New Britain. –RA ARCHIVE

NAUGATUCK — The borough’s school system is poised to be under new leadership.

The Board of Education will meet Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Tuttle Building, 380 Church St. The only item on the agenda is the appointment of a new superintendent of schools.

Sharon Locke, 46, of Durham, has emerged as the only finalist for the position. A total of 16 people applied and five were called for interviews.

Locke is currently the assistant superintendent with the New Britain school system.

Last Thursday Locke toured borough schools, with the exception of Central Avenue Preschool, in Naugatuck.

“I’m impressed by the dedication of the professionals here. The kids were engaged,” Locke said. “Overall I got a great vibe on what’s happening in the schools here.”

Borough school officials visited New Britain on Monday to learn more about how Locke interacts with people in that district. They said people could not have said nicer things about Locke and her work ethic.

Once a decision is made to extend the job offer, Human Resource Director John Lawlor will work on a contract, Board of Education Chairman David Heller said.

The board has been searching for a superintendent since former superintendent John Tindall-Gibson retired abruptly last September. The board hired interim-superintendent James Connelly to lead the district until a replacement could be found.

Heller said he would like to have the next superintendent in place by July 1, which is the start of the district’s fiscal year.

Locke has been the chief academic officer, or assistant superintendent for instruction, since 2012. Prior to that, she was director of district improvement for grades K-5 for two years, and from 2008-10 she was district test coordinator. She also served as principal of Mark Twain Elementary School in Iowa City, Iowa, in 2007-08, and as vice principal at New Britain High School from 2006-07.

She started her career as a guidance counselor, and worked in that role for several years before going into administration.

Locke was pleased to be the last candidate for the position.

“I think my skills and talents and passions are a perfect fit for this community,” Locke said.

The Republican-American contributed to this article.