‘We did that:' Hartford Public Schools superintendent reflects on tenure as she prepares to step down
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Hartford will have a new superintendent at the start of the next school year.
On Thursday, News 8 sat down with current superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez as she prepares to transition out of the role.
Hartford Public Schools superintendent stepping down at end of school year
'Since the beginning, it has been a true approach of partnership and collaboration,' Torres-Rodriguez said.
As she reflects back on her time as Hartford's superintendent, partnership is something Torres-Rodriguez said she is proud of.
'There are many moments that I say, 'we' did that,' she said. 'I don't think there's a moment that I can count to say I did that alone.'
Torres-Rodriguez announced last week her time as superintendent is winding down. She's served in this capacity since 2017 and will leave this position at the end of the academic year.
'It'll be a process, it'll be a process that I'll walk alongside,' she said.
Over her tenure these last eight years, the district boosted graduation rates, landed a new competitive teachers contract, expanded community outreach and programs to help students excel both in and out of school.
'The biggest impact and effect on a young person's academic outcome is high quality teacher and all the supports,' Torres-Rodriguez said.
She has also seen the district through some tough times including the pandemic, budget deficits and staffing shortages. But she said they've worked to tackle this head-on — together.
'We collectively committed that with every decision we were making — whether it was myself, in a group, at a board level — that we were doing so focused on all students, not just some neighborhoods, not just some schools had resources,' she said.
Hartford BOE approves teacher salary raises, reduced workdays
A graduate of Hartford Public Schools herself, she's among a handful of superintendents of color across the country to lead an urban school system for as long as she has.
'I'm the longest serving Latina urban superintendent in the country,' she said. 'The average tenure of a superintendent in a community like ours is less than two or three years.'
News 8 asked Torres-Rodriguez about what's next for her.
'I'm really excited and I'm holding it tight for right now,' she said. 'Because I'm fully committed to making this transition as smooth as possible and remain focused on what matters.'
There will now be a search for the new superintendent. The mayor and Board of Education, with input from the community, will work together to determine who will be stepping into this role.
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