Southington Schools Superintendent Joseph Erardi Jr. has emerged as Newtown’s top superintendent candidate.
Newtown Board Vice-Chairman Laura Roche, who is also the head of the search committee, confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the board members plan a site visit to Southington as part of the interviewing process. Erardi apparently announced to his staff that he is a “candidate of choice” for this position.
Roche said Wednesday no offer has yet been made. A day earlier, she declined to say exactly how many candidates were still in consideration, citing confidentiality for the reason to provide limited details.
Some education sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated they have been informed that the board has narrowed the search to one finalist, and Erardi would be a welcome choice. He has been a superintendent in Southington that has received notable ratings for its academic successes for the last seven years. Erardi sent an email announcement to his staff stating he is the “candidate of choice,” according to news sources.
In the email Erardi wrote:
“There is not another job in the country that I would be interested in other than in Newtown. Over time, as a school leader, you realize what you do well. I looked at what I believe were positive professional attributes within my personal skill set and became a part of their search process.”
Erardi said he was informed Saturday that he has emerged as Newtown’s top choice.
If selected, Erardi will fill the position vacated by now-Stratford Superintendent Janet Robinson in May and served since then by Interim Superintendent John Reed, who served the district for 20 year prior to his retirement in 2002. Reed encouraged the board before the holidays to try and conduct interviews and make a selection for an appointment before other districts are in the search process, too.
Roche said on Tuesday that the board has been very pleased with the candidate selection process, and was confident that a strong, quality candidate will be hired for the position. Neither she or any other board members indicated a finalist was about to be chosen.
On Wednesday, Roche said that after the site visit the board, acting as a search committee, will meet and after those deliberations, and potential negotiations with Erardi as a prospective candidate, will officially post an agenda for a formal vote on an appointment.
“It will just take how long it takes,” Roche said.