by LAURA GLESBY The new haven independent
The Board of Education has approved renewing the contracts of five high-level New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) administrators.
The Board of Ed unanimously issued those approvals at a meeting last week at Ross-Woodward School, after discussing the contracts behind closed doors in “executive session.”
Board members decided to renew agreements with the following school district leaders:
- Linda Hannans, who will continue as chief financial officer for another year with a salary of $188,700.
- Paul Whyte, who will continue as assistant superintendent for another two years with a salary of $178,601.
- Keisha Redd-Hannans, who will continue as assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction, and assessment for another two years with a salary of $178,601.
- Gemma Joseph Lumpkin, who will continue as chief of youth, family, and community engagement for an additional two years with a salary of $158,945.
- Lisa Flegler, who will continue as director of human resources and labor relations with a salary of $157,662.
After the meeting, Redd-Hannans, who’s been an assistant superintendent since 2018, said she’s looking forward to “solidifying a new sixth- through eighth-grade reading curriculum.”
She said she’s proud of implementing a new reading curriculum on the elementary school level, pivoting the school system in response to public pressure from a “balanced literacy”-focused pedagogical approach to a more phonics-based program that the latest science indicates is more effective. She also pointed to her use of data to assess attendance and academic performance as well as a feedback program entailing “school walkthroughs” from administrators as accomplishments she hopes to continue.
Joseph-Lumpkin, meanwhile, said she’s most excited to help shape the school system’s strategic plan, which Superintendent Madeline Negrón is currently developing alongside staff and families.
The board also unanimously promoted nine staff members on Negrón’s recommendation — including Erin Nutter, a 25-year educator who began this summer as one of the school district’s special education supervisors.
“While she holds certifications in several areas of education, special education is where her heart is,” Negrón said, praising Nutter’s “student-centered” approach to teaching.
“I’ve had amazing colleagues and mentors here in New Haven along the way,” Nutter said. “I look forward to sharing my passion and continuing to support all of the stakeholders in the New Haven Public School community.”