Many in New Canaan Would Like Another Abbey

NEW CANAAN, Conn.  – It appears town residents would like the next superintendent of the New Canaan Public Schools to be David Abbey – or someone just like him.

“They’re looking for another David Abbey,” said Thomas Jokubaitis of Cooperative Educational Services, the consulting firm hired to help the district in its search for Abbey’s successor. “Just about everyone has said if we get another David Abbey, we’d be good.”

CES and leaders of a search committee met with more than 100 residents over two days to hear what they want in the next schools chief. Abbey announced in November that he will leave at the end of this school year.

At a small discussion Tuesday night at Saxe Middle School, parent Diane Hobbs said she wants a leader with integrity and character as well as someone who is familiar with technology because children will have to be ready to go into a competitive world.

Rayda Krell, a parent with children at West School, said the person who takes over should be prepared for a district that is highly interested in education. “It’s a demanding population,” Krell said. “Communication will come in handy in dealing with this community.”

Most parents and other residents are pleased with the district and want it to remain strong, Jokubaitis said. More than 500 people filled out an online survey on what they want in a new superintendent. All the comments will be included in a report to the Board of Education at its next meeting and be used to set the criteria for finding a new superintendent.

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