BOE in talks

WINSTED — After a more than four-hour-long executive session, the Board of Education voted to negotiate a contract with a candidate for superintendent of schools during its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 10.The meeting was held in Northwest Connecticut Community College’s Draper Conference Room.During the meeting, the board interviewed three candidates to replace current Superintendent of Schools Thomas Danehy.Danehy, a West Hartford resident, was originally hired by the Board of Education in July 2011. He submitted his letter of resignation on April 10 to the Winchester Board of Education.Board of Education Chairman Susan Hoffnagle refused to identify the three candidates.Hoffnagle also did not identify the candidate who the board is negotiating with.The three candidates were previously interviewed by the board’s superintendent search subcommittee, which is made up of Hoffnagle and board members Christine Royer and Richard Dutton.Hoffnagle said the other members on the board had not seen or reviewed resumes of candidates before the June 10 meeting.The executive session started at 5:30 p.m. with each candidate taking an hour to be interviewed by the board.The board discussed the interviews in executive session until approximately 9:30 p.m.At 9:35 p.m., Hoffnagle walked out of the conference room to announce to reporters that the board had voted in executive session to enter into contract negotiations.“I know that there had been some anticipation that we would have a name, but there was a sense that we can reach an agreement in the overall terms of the contract,” Hoffnagle said. After a reporter pointed out that board votes could not be taken in executive session, Hoffnagle ran back into the room to read the announcement again and take a second vote.Hoffnagle reread her announcement in front of the board members.She said that the motion was made by James Roberts and was seconded by Ray Rabago.The board proceeded to vote again, with the motion passing unanimously. Superintendent Danehy’s salary for this past school year is $140,570.Hoffnagle said that the board did not set a salary for the candidate. “It was left to the chairman to negotiate a proposed contract,” Hoffnagle said after the meeting. “So if I come up with a proposed contract that is way out of the realm with what [the board] thinks is appropriate, then I would expect the contract would not be approved when we come back.”When asked the timeframe for hiring of the superintendent, Royer said, “Lightning fast.”“I would expect we would do it quickly,” Hoffnagle added. “When we appoint a person we will convene a special meeting and approve the proposed contract and individual.”Hoffnagle said she did not know when the special meeting would be held.“I certainly want to do this as quickly as we can,” Hoffnagle said. “There should be a superintendent in place before [Danehy] leaves.”Hoffnagle said Danehy’s last day with the school district is on Wednesday, July 9.Board member Carol Cox was not present at the June 10 meeting.