Groton School Board Names Randall Collins Interim Superintendent

The Groton Board of Education voted Wednesday to name former Waterford Superintendent Randall Collins as interim superintendent in Groton.

The board voted 7-0, with two members absent, to appoint Collins pending negotiation of his contract.

“Randy has a presence in the community that is very well known,” Groton Board Chairwoman Kirsten Hoyt said. “His wife is retired from our school district so he knows a lot about our district already, and he was a very good superintendent. He was award-winning and a leader in his school.”

Collins' wife, Pat, worked as a teacher at Charles Barnum Elementary for more than 15 years.

Prior to his career in Waterford, Collins served as superintendent in two other school districts, one in his native state of Maine and another in Massachusetts. Throughout his career in education, he also worked as a teacher, elementary school guidance counselor and principal.

In 2002, Collins won the Connecticut Superintendent of the Year award. He also served as president of the American Association of School Administrators for the 2008-2009 term.

The board is expected to amend its agenda to vote on a contract with Collins at its next meeting Tuesday.

Collins is stepping in because May 7 pending an investigation of his "interactions with and treatment of district employees."

Mary Anne Butler was named acting superintendent in his absence, but she has accepted a job as the new assistant superintendent of instructional services for Windsor Public Schools. She starts July 1.

Hoyt said Butler began interviewing for the job before Kadri was placed on leave, and her decision to leave Groton was related to her desire to move closer to family.

The school board Collins; Collette Trailor, who served as interim superintendent in districts including Griswold; Mark Winzler, who served as interim superintendent in Rocky Hill; and Paul Gagliarducci, superintendent in Bozrah.

Hoyt said Winzler is already working in another district, and Gagliarducci is unable to take the job under his contract. The board interviewed Collins and Trailor in executive session Wednesday.

Collins handles administrative searches for the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, and also spoke to the board at length Monday.

He said the job of an interim leader in Groton would be to rebuild relationships and create calm and stability before the school year ends.

“Your real goal is that kids are served, and that school is run quietly and calmly while you deal with turmoil,” he said.

He said he would not advise Groton to abandon large-scale plans such as school consolidation or redistricting.

Collins' salary would be determined by the contract, but typically, interim superintendents are paid at a per diem rate comparable to the superintendent they are replacing.

Kadri is paid a base salary of $167,475 under his contract.