Norwich School Board Puts Superintendent On Leave: Reports

NORWICH, CT — The school board placed Norwich Public Schools Superintendent Kristen Stringfellow on administrative leave at its Monday night meeting, according to WTNH News-8. The news comes after a meeting last week when more than 150 teachers, parents, and students rallied, accusing Stringfellow of creating a toxic work environment.

A recent Connecticut Education Association (CEA) survey of more than 230 Norwich teachers found that 96% feared retaliation if they spoke out about issues at the schools, according to WFSB 3-TV. Since July 2021, 135 teachers have resigned.

The CEA was back out again rallying at Monday's meeting "pushing for a new acting superintendent to be appointed," according to a Facebook post from the union.

The school board went into executive session Monday night. When the meeting resumed, a motion was made to put Stringfellow on paid leave effective immediately, NBC CT reported.

School Board Chairperson Robert Aldi said the board has "not reached any conclusion [as to] whether or not Stringfellow engaged in any improper conduct." He told NBC CT that putting Stringfellow on leave was in the district's best interest to allow the investigation to move forward.

The board then voted to name Stanton Elementary School principal Susan Lessard as interim superintendent.

Last week, the board voted to expand the scope of a personnel investigation but left Stringfellow at her post, a move union officials called "very disappointing."

CEA President Kate Dias told NBC CT that educators are leaving the district at "alarming rates" and that "high levels of dissatisfaction (and) extraordinary distrust" show that there are management challenges.

See related: Norwich Teachers Rally At Board Meeting Over 'Toxic' Environment