FALLS VILLAGE — Within hours of the announcement last week that Diane Goncalves has been hired as the new assistant superintendent for the regional school district, a swirl of controversy erupted as it was learned that earlier this month Goncalves had resigned as special education director of the Orange, Conn., school district under a cloud.
Region One Superintendent Patricia Chamberlain had announced last Tuesday that a lengthy search process to replace Thomas Gaisford, who moved out of state at the end of the school year, had culminated with the hire of Goncalves (pronounced Gon-sal-vess).
Almost immediately after the hire was announced, reports surfaced that Goncalves had left amid accusations that she and Superintendent Timothy James had been aggressively confrontational with parents. The concerns had been widespread enough that the board of education in Orange had sought a consultant to do an independent review.
Chamberlain said she is “very confident� that, nonetheless, Goncalves is the right choice for Region One.
“We went through a very comprehensive process� of reviewing the applicants for the position, she added. “She comes very highly recommended by her current and previous employers, and I know she is going to be successful.�
Chamberlain said Goncalves was “forthright and candid that things were contentious� in the Orange district. “She welcomed a review by our board.�
Chamberlain plans to meet with Region One faculty to allay any concerns about the hire.
The superintendent and assistant superintendent oversee the elementary schools in Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, North Canaan, Sharon and Salisbury. The assistant superintendent is responsible for curriculum matters, and a large part of the job involves ensuring that the students come to Housatonic Valley Regional High School with comparable levels of education.
Goncalves said she is looking forward to working in Region One when she begins in January. She confirmed that she will be concentrating on curriculum development, working with Region One Business Manager Sam Herrick and doing “anything and everything� to assist Chamberlain.
“I am impressed by the quality of the faculty here, and as far as initiatives go I think it’s a good philosophical match,� said Goncalves.
Goncalves’ resume includes director of special education in Glastonbury and director of the Gengras Center at St. Joseph College in West Hartford.
“I’m sorry for Orange,� said Chamberlain. “But their loss is our gain. We are fortunate to have someone with her background and experience.�
Goncalves was one of two finalists for the position, out of an initial pool of 20 applicants. Her salary of $125,000 per year will be prorated from Jan. 12, and Chamberlain said the contract includes the following full year at $128,000, a 2.4 percent increase.
Chamberlain encouraged any parents with concerns to call her directly at the Region One office (860-824-0855).
“We have nothing to hide,� she said.
