Local control returns to Hartford school system
12/24/02 - Five years after the state took over their financially and academically troubled school system, the citizens of Hartford, Conn., once again are in control of their local schools. On Dec. 3, a new school board - consisting of four elected and three appointed members - assumed responsibility for governing the 24,000-student school system.
"This is an exciting time for the school district and, indeed, the city," Superintendent Robert Henry said as the new board was sworn in.
Although the state takeover was never meant to be permanent, the return of local control is viewed by community leaders as a hopeful step for the school system. Many say they are unaware of any school system that's been returned to local control after being taken over by a state.
In 1997, the state dissolved the locally elected school board and replaced it with a state-appointed board of trustees in response to financial and administrative mismanagement. A high dropout rate and the lowest test scores in the state also plagued the school system.
In 1999, trustees hired as superintendent Anthony S. Amato, a New York City administrator who cleared up the school system's administrative problems and ordered a new focus on basic skills and remediation. Test scores have risen steadily since then, although they remain below the state average.
According to Tom Murphy, spokesperson for the Connecticut State Department of Education, the state's takeover law allowed a return to local control two years ago. But, he says, state-appointed trustees stayed in place at the request of local leaders who felt more time was needed to cement reforms.
The latest transfer of power has not gone entirely smoothly. After angering community members with a series of missteps and a high-profile search for another superintendency, Amato resigned in October. It had become clear he did not enjoy strong enough political support to ensure his continued tenure under the new school board. Henry, previously Amato's chief of staff, has since overseen the schools.
Meanwhile, some community residents continue to express concern that the state needed more time to put the school system on a firm footing. One group filed suit to force the state to stay in Hartford, but a judge dismissed the case.
The big question now is how the new school board will handle a series of challenges, including possible cuts in state education funding, a potentially controversial redistricting plan, and a continued need to boost academic performance.
"We're the only city that's gone from local control to state control and back to local control," says district spokesperson Andrea Comer. "People are going to be really looking to see how well Hartford sustains itself."
State officials say they'll continue to keep an eye on the school system. For three years, state monitors will report to the Connecticut Board of Education, and local school officials are expected to meet monthly with State Education Commissioner Theodore Sergi.
Meanwhile, the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) has offered to help the new board members by providing an orientation or training retreat.
"It's interesting that the return of local control is going to be a mix of mayoral appointments and local board member election [winners]," says CABE Executive Director Robert J. Rader. "We look forward to helping them to develop a unity and a vision for a new Hartford school system that will really focus on student achievement."
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| Reproduced with permission from the Dec. 24, 2002, issue of School Board News. Copyright © 2002, National School Boards Association. Opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect positions of NSBA. This article may be printed out and photocopied for individual or educational use, provided this copyright notice appears on each copy. This article may not be otherwise transmitted or reproduced in print or electronic form without the consent of the Publisher. For more information, call (703) 838-6789. |