SCOTLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION APPOINTS NEW SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

Scotland Board of Education 
Press Release for Immediate Release

June 15, 2021

 

Contact: Brynn Lipstreu, Board of Education Chair

 

Scotland, CT: At a special meeting held via Zoom on June 15, 2021, the Scotland Board of Education appointed Valerie Bruneau its new Superintendent, effective July 1, 2021. Ms. Bruneau spent the bulk of her early career, 1996 to 2007, teaching history and social studies at May V. Carrigan Middle School in West Haven. She then became vice-principal of Harry M. Bailey Middle School, also in West Haven, a role she held until 2017. After a brief time at Torrington Middle School, Valerie then became the Interim Director of Special Education at the Connecticut Junior Republic of Litchfield. She has served as School Superintendent in Andover since July 2020 and will continue in that part-time role.

 

Scotland Board of Education Chair Brynn Lipstreu said, “The Scotland Board has taken the search for a new superintendent very seriously. We feel Valerie Bruneau is just the person to help us come together as a school and community to serve our children and families. We are delighted she is joining us in this work.”

 

Ms. Bruneau received her Bachelor and Master of Science, Sixth year, and Certification from Southern Connecticut State University. She has also completed coursework for her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Bridgeport. She is active with the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), serving on committees such as the Small and Part-Time Superintendent, International Education, and Women’s Leadership committees, and the District Innovation Advisory Council. She hopes such involvement “could promote local, regional, and statewide opportunities for the children and staff of Scotland.”

 

In her application, Valerie wrote, “I have found that a small-town superintendent needs to wear many more hats and be very knowledgeable about every aspect of the school and community to keep the town abreast of what is going on regionally and at a state level.” Valerie’s references said she is able to bring people together for a common purpose; she’s a great child- and teacher- advocate; she’s tenacious at solving problems and has a can-do attitude that’s contagious; and she works really well with others for the good of the district’s children. 

The Scotland Board was guided in its search by Mary Broderick, consultant with CABE Search Services. She gathered perspectives from many stakeholders before writing a Leadership Profile which guided the Board in its search for a new leader.