Windsor Principal Named Superintendent In Stratford

WINDSOR, CT — Windsor High School Principal Uyi Osunde has been named the next Superintendent of Schools in Stratford, officials announced Thursday night.

Osunde is replacing current Superintendent Janet Robinson, who is retiring in June after leading the district since 2013. His start date is July 1.

Osunde, who served as principal at Windsor High School since 2016, possesses a “wealth of school leadership experience, serving as a principal, assistant principal and counselor in Connecticut high schools,” according to a news release.

Osunde earned a Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Connecticut, where he was co-captain of the football team in 2003 as a senior, then later earned a Masters in Educational Psychology and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. He will serve Stratford as a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program at UConn’s Neag School of Education. Osunde also earned a Masters in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University and has completed Professional Education leadership programs at Harvard University, the news release states.

“As the board chair, I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Uyi Osunde into our Stratford community,” said Allison DelBene, who also led the Board of Education’s Search Committee. “His dedication and commitment to improving education for all is energizing. We were impressed with his collaborative, data-driven, and student-centered approach. We look forward to having Dr. Osunde lead Stratford Public schools.”

Osunde said he was impressed with the town’s dedication to education, particularly having school board members who attended Stratford schools and returned to take on leadership roles.

“As I proceeded through the interview process and engaged in my research on the town of Stratford, many points of town pride became evident,” Osunde said. “Most prominently, a commitment to the success of Stratford schools. It is my understanding that a few members of the Board of Education are alumni of the town’s high schools. This is indicative of a leadership orientation that’s committed to shaping the success and improvement of learning opportunities for the town’s children.

“I am humbled and excited about the opportunity that Allison DelBene and the Stratford Board of Education have extended in selecting me to lead Stratford Public Schools. I look forward to establishing relationships and collaborating with faculty and staff, parents and guardians, as well as town leaders, to do this work of shepherding our students through, what is hopeful to be, the back end of the coronavirus pandemic.”

He was chosen from a pool of 22 applicants from several states. The search was facilitated by consultants from Trumbull-based Cooperative Educational Services (CES) and The Bryan Group, who guided the district’s search committee through the decision-making process by providing a leadership profile and selection criteria based on results of a survey and focus groups with the district’s various stakeholders, in addition to providing measurable performance criteria drawn from an advanced interview process with candidates.

The board’s search committee then evaluated candidates and made a selection.

CES is one of the six Regional Educational Service Centers (RESCs) established by the state legislature to provide supports and services to public school districts. CES serves students and educators in Fairfield County, along with executive search services throughout the state.