The New Haven Board of Education has set a deadline to announce the next superintendent of schools by Monday, October 16.
Bobbie Maebry is a substitute teacher in the New Haven school system and she has a daughter in one of the magnet high schools.
"They have a lot of resources and connections to like universities and colleges," Maebry said.
The New Haven mother shared with NBC Connecticut qualities she’d like to see in the school district’s next superintendent.
"An understanding of the community in which they work," Maebry said. "Some history in the city, definitely, and just a really strong passion for seeing our children succeed in education."
Speaking on behalf of the Board of Education (BOE), President Dr. Ed Joyner said the firm hired to conduct the search has identified "six exceptional candidates" to lead New Haven schools. He added the firm presented final steps for the process at a Monday meeting.
The first round of interviews will start on Sept. 20. The second round of interviews will be held on Sept. 26 and 27. After that, the committee will evaluate, run background checks and negotiate a contract to prepare for the October announcement.
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In a memo sent Monday to the Illinois-based search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates, Board of Education member Darnell Goldson writes:
"Unfortunately, as to this date the public has made it clear at BOE meetings, in calls to me, as well as comments in the press that they are wholly unsatisfied with the public participation."
"The public should be informed of everything that goes on, our tax dollars are going toward the school system," Phillip Dozier of New Haven said.
Dr. Reginald Mayo continues to serve as interim superintendent after Garth Harries left the position last fall, almost two years before his contract was up. The school district paid his salary for the remainder of the 2016-17 school year after he stepped down on Nov. 1, 2016.
"We never as a public knew why (Harries) was eliminated from the school system here in New Haven," Dozier said. "And I think that’s wrong."
Joyner said there are no internal candidates among the six being considered for superintendent. He said key stakeholder groups like parents, students, teachers and clergy will be included in the final decision.
