Special Master Appointment Expected Soon

A representative from the Connecticut Department of Education told the Board of Education on Thursday that a special master will likely be appointed for the in the next few days.

Lol Fearon, chief of the Bureau of Accountability and Improvement, said he did not have any details on when the appointment will be made, but the department is looking to act quickly in the matter.

“We know there are some very specific issues that the district is trying to resolve and work its way through, especially in regards to coordinating with the city,” said Fearon.

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The State Board of Education to approve a special master for the district and have the seven members of the New London Board of Education to “undergo training to improve its operational efficiency and effectiveness as leaders of the district’s improvements plan.” The resolution approved by the state will appoint a special master to begin a year of work on July 1, with the possibility of an additional one-year extension.

The vote followed a for a state intervention in the district last month. Fischer made the request in response to a state , which said the Board of Education has not placed adequate focus on student achievement and has at times been hostile to school administrators.

Fearon said the authority of the special master may cover several different areas. He said this includes managing or allocating local, state, or federal funds; directing the assignment or reassignment of teachers and principals; and determining whether additional audits are required regarding the schools’ finances, curriculum, and instruction.

Fearon said the department will determine a short list of candidates for the special master from suggestions offered by several different agencies. Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor will make the final choice.

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