Stamford Board of Education hires national consulting firm to help search for superintendent

STAMFORD, Connecticut — The Stamford Public Schools district announced Tuesday that its Board of Education is hiring national consulting firm Zeal Education Group to support its search for a new superintendent.

Zeal Education Group was chosen by the board’s ad hoc Superintendent Search Firm Committee after an extensive, multi-step review process.

The committee received proposals from eight firms in response to a Request for Proposals that was released in September.

Members of the committee created a comprehensive evaluation rubric to review each submission, assess presentations and rate interviews with each potential firm. A release from the school district says the process was transparent and consistent with the city’s values and goals.

“The board extends its sincere thanks to the ad hoc committee for its leadership and for establishing a strong foundation of unity and solidarity throughout this process,” Board of Education President Michael Hyman said.

Zeal Education Group was selected because of its intensive community engagement model, innovative search design and strong record of supporting districts with leadership transitions.

Versha Munshi-South, vice president of the Board of Education, chaired the Superintendent Search Firm Committee and said that its members were impressed by the consultant’s depth of experience and the way its process focuses on the community’s voice.

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“Zeal’s use of multilingual tools and creative engagement strategies ensures that every Stamford resident, regardless of language or background, can help shape the vision for our next superintendent,” Munshi-South said.

Zeal Education Group Founder and CEO Jeff Melendez, Ed.D., is looking forward to the partnership as well.

“Our search team is eager to begin supporting Stamford Public Schools in their search for an exemplary leader,” Melendez said, promising that he and his colleagues will engage the community.

The Board of Education will begin working with Zeal Education Group in December. The community engagement phase of the superintendent search will then be launched the following month.

The firm will be contractually obligated to facilitate listening sessions, surveys and focus groups with students, families, educators, staff and community members to gather input and gain perspective.

This will shape the creation of a Superintendent Leadership Profile that reflects the city’s shared values and priorities.

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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at [email protected]. 

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