Former Oxford Interim School Chief Back in Newtown

John Reed, Ph. D., who led the Newtown School District for 20 years, will be returning to his post temporarily to serve as interim superintendent. 

The Board of Education unanimously voted Tuesday to install Reed to lead the district as current Superintendent Janet Robinson prepares to leave to lead Stratford schools.

"Like the other members of our community, I felt a need to be of help to others in the face of the tragic and traumatic events that occurred on December 14, 2012," Reed in a statement read by board member Laura Roche at the meeting.

"I have now been given by the Board of Education the opportunity to be of direct assistance to the students, staff and parents who comprise the school system that I love. In turn, I ask for the prayers and support of my fellow Newtowners to help our school system successfully meet our present needs while optimistically preparing for the future. I will depend on Dr. Robinson for her valuable assistance so that when the time comes to assume my temporary responsibilities I will be well prepared."

Reed served as interim superintendent of Oxford Schools at the end of last school year. 

He has been active at Sandy Hook School since Dec. 14, frequently volunteering his time at the school's current site at Chalk Hill School in Monroe. Roche said he has an intimate knowledge of the school and a "great relationship" with teachers there, and is well-equipped to step in to lead the district immediately.

"The move to being our interim superintendent will be seamless," she said.

Reed came to Newtown after leading a school in New Jersey, and also served as interim superintendent in Weston before hearing to Oxford after his retirement from Newtown. His 20 years in Newtown -- from 1982 to 2002 -- made him the longest tenured superintendent in the state of Connecticut. Reed Intermediate School is named after him.

Although  Reed will start immediately, board members said. He will be involved in future decision-making capacities, including the ongoing search to fill openings for principal positions.

"I have now been given by the Board of Education the opportunity to be of direct assistance to the students, staff and parents who comprise the school system that I love," Reed said in the statement. "In turn, I ask for the prayers and support of my fellow Newtowners to help our school system successfully meet our present needs while optimistically preparing for the future. I will depend on Dr. Robinson for her valuable assistance so that when the time comes to assume my temporary responsibilities I will be well prepared."

Robinson announced her departure in February. In the weeks since, the Newtown Board of Education has consulted experts on how to handle the transition. A permanent replacement is not expected for at least six months.