Schools
Greenwich Deputy School Superintendent Announces Resignation
Ellen Flanagan is leaving the post she's held since 2008.
Greenwich Deputy School Superintendent Ellen Flanagan announced Monday she will leave the position she has held since 2008.
Flanagan’s resignation is effective Aug. 1.
Flanagan said, “I have loved working in the Greenwich Public Schools, particularly with the incredible staff and administrators. The decision to leave at this time was difficult to make. However, I have decided to focus on pursuing new career opportunities that have become available, roles which will provide me with new and exciting challenges and greater flexibility with my personal time.”
Flanagan began her career in education 39 years ago as an elementary school teacher in Brooklyn, NY. She joined Greenwich Public Schools as principal of Glenville School in 1999. She then served as the district’s Director of Human Resources from 2005 to 2008, before her appointment as deputy superintendent in 2008.
Schools Superintendent Bill McKersie said in a statement, “Dr. Ellen Flanagan is one of the most knowledgeable, effective, and compassionate educators I have ever encountered. She will be sorely missed. Dr. Flanagan will leave an indelible imprint on this district through her work in mentoring our highly-skilled principals, pioneering our educator evaluation system, district and school improvement planning, and continuously identifying ways to close gaps in achievement, to name just a few of her many successes. She approaches every responsibility with tireless dedication and professionalism.”
McKersie credited Flanagan for being “instrumental in establishing and supporting strategies for closing the achievement gap among students. Dr. Flanagan has worked tirelessly with district administrators to develop strong programming options for elementary and secondary students and implemented a strategic marketing plan designed to attract participants to this outstanding summer opportunity to enrich and enhance student learning. Under her guidance, the percentage of academically at-risk students attending summer school increased by 46% over the last five years and overall enrollment increased to an all time high of over 1,000 students in 2015.
Flanagan’s impact upon the school district also was praised by Board of Education Chair Laura Erickson. “Dr. Flanagan likes nothing more than to be out in schools offering feedback and sharing best practices. She is the ‘go to’ person for so many people in the district. Dr. Flanagan comes from a family steeped in education and helping students and teachers is her life’s mission.”
Erickson also said, “There are many district accomplishments during her tenure that owe a great deal to Dr. Flanagan. In her role as Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Flanagan has guided building leadership at the elementary and middle school levels which directly impacts teaching and learning. In particular, the Board wishes to recognize her role in improving the quality and attendance at the district summer school.”
Greenwich Organization of School Administrators Co-president and Principal of North Mianus School Angela Schmidt said, “Over the course of my career I have had the privilege of working with many talented and capable educators. Rarely have I come across one who has had such a profound influence on my career and that of my colleagues. “
Schmidt also said, “Ellen Flanagan is a role model for dedication, passion, innovation, and caring. She is the first person an administrator turns to in times of crisis and in the best of times a cheerleader for our success. We will miss her great sense of humor and most of all the support and focus she has provided us these past 17 years. On behalf of GOSA and myself, I wish Ellen every success in her future endeavors and am sure the footprints she will leave behind will remain with us long after she has moved on.”
In her announcement, Flanagan also said, “I have had extensive exposure to many schools in my career and travels throughout the tri-state area and can say with complete confidence that the Greenwich Public Schools excel in providing the highest quality instruction and leadership, innovative and rigorous curriculum and programs, and meaningful family and community engagement. The Greenwich Public Schools are among the top tier public schools in this country.”
Flanagan added, “My wish for the Greenwich community is that you embrace your public schools in recognition of the excellent education they provide, value the highly skilled and dedicated staff in word and in action, and never rest on your laurels, but strive for continuous improvement with a mindset that you are starting from a position of tremendous strength in professional expertise and student outcomes.”
A national search for a new deputy superintendent “will begin promptly,” according to the district.
Contributed photo: Greenwich Deputy School Superintendent Ellen Flanagan.
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