After two years leading the Hartford public schools, Superintendent Beth Schiavino-Narvaez is leaving the district to work for the U.S. Department of Defense in the Far East, the school board chairman confirmed Thursday.
Board Chairman Richard F. Wareing said Schiavino-Narvaez has laid the foundation for future growth in the school district by helping reduce chronic absenteeism and out-of-school suspensions. The number of troubled “turnaround” schools in Hartford also has dropped under her tenure, he said.
“Some schools came off [of the list] this year, which is an indicator we’re making progress,” Wareing said.
Third-grade reading performance also has improved, and the superintendent has helped the district focus as well on ninth-grade algebra, which is the gateway to more advanced math and the gateway to college study, he said.
“She’s knowledgeable, [and] incredibly optimistic and enthusiastic, which you need to do the work we have to do,” he said. “We’ve laid the groundwork in the last couple of years that will start to bear fruit in subsequent years.”
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin thanked the superintendent for her service and noted in an email that he would work closely with the Board of Education to ensure a smooth transition for her successor.
“The coming months and years present important opportunities and challenges for the Hartford school system, as new leaders will have the chance to fight for reforms in the wake of yesterday’s historic court decision, shape the next phase of the longstanding Sheff vs. O’Neil lawsuit, manage the Equity 2020 process and school consolidation, and increase our focus on quality neighborhood and community schools,” Bronin said.
Wareing said he will meet with the board early next week to determine what type of search to conduct for Schiavino-Narvaez’s replacement.
Schiavino-Narvaez could not be reached immediately for comment.
