A Message to our Staff, Families and the Willington Community
May 16, 2018
It is with pleasure that we announce the selection of Mr. Philip “Phil” Stevens as the new Willington Superintendent of Schools, who will officially assume responsibility in this new role, July, 2018.
Mr. Stevens, a successful administrator in Willington, comes to this position from an impressive career beginning as a teacher, assistant principal, director, and community leader. Most recently Phil has been the Principal at Center School for 7 years as well as the Superintendent’s administrative designee in Willington, implementing leadership assignments with system wide impact.
The selection of the Superintendent is one of the single most important decisions that the Willington Board of Education will make for our schools and our community. Unique to the Superintendent Search in Willington is its early beginning in the spring of 2017 where the Board reviewed applications and selected several candidates to be interviewed. At that time the Board suspended the search, looking at a number of potential changes which could impact the community, like the State budget, and determined to reopen the search the following school year. In the spring of 2018, the search was reopened and close to 20 additional applications were received.
After an extensive review of all of the applicants and much deliberation, the Willington Board of Education, with unity of thinking, interviewed and selected Phil Stevens, among a competitive group of candidates, to be the next Superintendent of Schools. The Board of Education members were struck by his energy, infectious optimism, knowledge of the district, open and collaborative leadership, experience with curriculum, creativity in addressing and resolving challenges and his impressive 18 year history of teaching and leadership.
Throughout the interview process Phil exhibited deep knowledge about instruction and improving student achievement, planning, finances and budgets, importance of parent and community involvement in the schools, strong communication skills and knowledge of facilities. Phil shows a clear understanding of the academic side and human side of the role of the Superintendent of Schools. These skills and attributes aligned well with those identified in the Willington Leadership Profile by constituents.
References provided universally glowing testimonials of Phil’s skills, knowledge, and character. They described him as caring, collaborative, intelligent, committed, compassionate, strong work ethic and a leader who knows when to compromise and when to hold the line. He holds all students, staff and families to high expectations, but provides the support needed to reach those expectations. His leadership was described as practical yet visionary.
The Board of Education could not be more pleased with the outcome of our search and thanks everyone for their support. An added bonus is that Phil Stevens resides in and is a well-known, vested and respected member of our community as is his family. Please join us in welcoming Phil Stevens as the new Superintendent of Schools for Willington.
Sincerely,
The Willington Board of Education