Former New Haven Superintendent Selected as Interim Replacement

After spending more than four decades working for New Haven Public Schools, Dr. Reginald Mayo is returning to his old office as the district’s interim superintendent, the Board of Education announced Monday night.

Mayo met Tuesday with outgoing Superintendent Garth Harries to start planning the transition.

"I think he brings stability to the district and can continue to move the district forward," said Mayor Toni Harp, who also serves as the Board of Education president.

The Board of Education agreed to part ways Harries at the end of September.

"We’ve made a lot of progress in reducing truancy under Mr. Harries leadership, we want to continue that," Harp said.

While Harp said reading has improved in the school district, she’d like Mayo to begin making strides in mathematics.

Mayo worked for New Haven schools for 46 years and he spent the final 21 years leading the district. He expanded early childhood education programs and extended kindergarten to full day.

The Board of Education selected him, in part, because he could step in right away next Tuesday Nov. 1.

The search committee for a permanent replacement will seek input from the community, Harp said.

"To try to find out what kind of person would resonate with residents, parents, with students," she said. "We want to make sure our teachers, administrators, parents are happy, feel they have a transparent administrative system that they can relate with."

Mayo will be paid $750 a day. His contract runs through June 30, but it calls for him to step aside if a new superintendent is selected sooner than the end of the school year.

Harp said she wants the position filled by no later than July 1.

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