Dr. Jeffrey Villar Hired as Windsor's Next Superintendent

The Windsor Board of Education on Wednesday unanimously approved the hiring of current Rocky Hill Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Villar as the town's next superintendent during a special meeting at Town Hall.

"I am extremely excited to be here," said Villar, a former associate superintendent in Meriden. "I am looking forward to learning about the schools and bringing my thoughts and vision to the schools, but I really want to be clear that what's in place is to be understood first. I see my initial mission as a lot of learning, a lot of talking, but definitely a lot of listening."

Villar added that "a lot of what Windsor is looking to do is aligned with a little of what I've done in Rocky Hill and a little of what I've done in Meriden."

In Meriden, Villar, 41, served as a part of the district's team responsible for the architecture of their improvement plan — something Windsor has had to take on over the past year as a requirement of its partnership with the State Department of Education.

More recently, Villar "moved [Rocky Hill's] schools forward, made strides in curriculum" and "brought technology into instruction," said Rocky Hill Board of Education Chairwoman Raffaella Calciano-Coler early Wednesday.

Windsor Board of Education members spoke highly of Villar prior to the vote.

Board Vice President Darleen Klase noted the fact that Villar and his family not only spent time becoming familiarizing themselves with Windsor's school system, but they also spent a good deal of time around town to get to know the community.

Board members agreed upon a three-year contract for Villar. He will make $185,600 in the first year of the contract. He is expected to officially join the district by March 2012.