by Maya McFadden The New Haven independent
The Independent has filed an appeal with the state’s Freedom of Information Commission, as the public school district has failed to provide a copy of the Board of Education’s 2024-25 evaluation of Supt. Madeline Negrón.
Not only has the school board not responded to the request — it won’t even say whether it put its review in writing, or whether it sought to evade open-records laws by choosing not to.
The Independent filed the appeal on Tuesday. State Freedom of Information Commission Secretary Mikia Gray acknowledged receipt of the appeal on Wednesday.
The appeal stems from the school district’s failure so far to provide the Independent with a copy of the Board of Education’s evaluation of New Haven Public Schools’ (NHPS) superintendent last academic year.
The school board conducted the evaluation in private executive session during its meetings on Aug. 11 and Aug. 25, which were held in person at King/Robinson School and online via Zoom. On Sept. 9, the Board of Education’s president stated that the school board found during its review of Negrón’s performance found her to be “highly effective.” Negrón first stepped into the top school district role on July 1, 2023.
The Independent submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the city and to the school board on Sept. 9, seeking a copy of the evaluation and related documents.
On Sept. 11, city Corporation Counsel staffer El Sulman acknowledged receipt of the FOIA request and then forwarded it along via email to Board of Education attorney Elias Alexiades as well as to Negrón, city spokesperson Lenny Speiller, and city paralegal Olga Bonilla.
After multiple follow-up requests, the district has yet to provide a copy of that evaluation.
At the Board of Education’s Sept. 8 meeting, Board of Education President OrLando Yarborough included in his president’s report that “our board conducted our standard annual review evaluation of our superintendent, and there are seven standard areas for evaluation for superintendents. They include visionary leadership, instructional leadership, talent development and labor relations, culture and climate, operational and fiscal improvements, family and community engagement, and demonstrating leadership grounded in Board of Education and superintendent’s collaborative governance. Our board agrees that our superintendent has been highly effective and effective in these areas and we are appreciative of your leadership.”
Yarborough also described Negrón as growth-oriented and growth-minded, and thanked her further for her leadership during that Sept. 8 meeting.
On Tuesday, public schools spokesperson Justin Harmon told the Independent that he is not sure if the evaluation was in writing or if it was conducted orally.
State law requires a superintendent’s evaluation to be released publicly when a member of the public requests it. School boards across Connecticut have tried to skirt that provision by evaluating the superintendent behind closed doors without leaving any written record behind.