[Update] Former BOE Chairman Says Jeffrey Villar 'Will Be Missed'

Editor's Note: This story was updated at 5 p.m.

In a special meeting held at Town Hall on Wednesday night, the Windsor Board of Education will elect Rocky Hill Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Villar to become Windsor's new head of schools, according to Courant.com, citing "people familiar with the superintendent search."

According to the Rocky Hill Public Schools System, Villar has served as the district's superintendent since May of 2007 and is an adjunct professor in Southern Connecticut University's education leadership department.

Before his time in Rocky Hill, Villar was the associate superintendent for instruction in Meriden, where he "was responsible for the development and implementation of the educational program as well as the supervision of all certified faculty including administrators and teachers," according to Rocky Hill Public Schools.

Windsor Board of Education President Doreen Richardson said Tuesday morning that .

While Richardson said she could not release the name of the board's choice to allow him to "go through the proper channels of leaving his district," she did say that the board is "excited to have him come to Windsor. We feel he has the skills and expertise that will serve to build on existing accomplishments and transform our district in a way that is best for our children."

As of 3 p.m., Villar had been in meetings all day and had not returned any phone calls to Patch.

If Villar is leaving, one of the people who would be sad to see him go is Rocky Hill Board of Education Chairwoman Raffaella Calciano-Coler, who was on the search committee that brought him in.

"I was impressed with him then," Calciano-Coler said. "And I continue to be impressed with his leadership and management skill."

Villar "moved the schools forward, made strides in curriculum" and "brought technology into instruction," Calciano-Coler said. She added that Villar was responsible for Data Teams, which helps administrators make decisions on students based on data, and Positive Behavior Intervention, which supports "appropriate student behaviors to create positive school environments," according to their website.

"He made a positive impact on our children and their education," Calciano-Coler said. "He is doing what is best for his career path."

Former Rocky Hill Board of Education Chairman William MacDonald said if Villar leaves, "he will be thoroughly missed."

"It will be a huge loss for Rocky Hill and a tremendous gain to wherever he goes," he said.

MacDonald, who was part of the search committee, said during Villar's tenure, he "has developed a very collaborative relationship with the entire Board of Education" and "far exceeded the expectations." He also credited Villar with reengineering the budget process, which resulted in "a clear, focused and transparent budget that results in effective and efficient use of resources in the delivery of services."

"I can only wish him continued success," he said. "We are all grateful for everything he has done for the children in our school district.  He will unquestionably be a great asset and an exceptional leader wherever he goes."

The Board of Education and the school system will work hard to find someone qualified to "continue their direction" if Villar does leave, Calciano-Coler said.

"I think we will need someone to continue the excellent work we started."

Villar earned his bachelor's degree from Eastern Connecticut State University in 1993 prior to earning his master's and doctorate from the University of Connecticut in 1996 and 1999, respectively.

Villar, who is a founding member of Hartford's Sports Sciences and Medical Academy, also served as principal of Meriden's Washington Middle School.

He also has experience as an assistant principal at the middle school and high school level, and as a social studies teacher at the high school and middle school level in Hartford, Lebanon and Chaplin.

The pool of superintendent candidates, Richardson said, was narrowed down from eight to one during two rounds of interviews, with final interviews being held on Nov. 9 and 10.

The board has not officially taken a vote to approve his hiring, as they are barred from doing so during a private session.

The board of education will meet Wed., Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall Council Chambers to officially vote and elect to hire Villar.

According to Richardson, the board has already agreed on contract terms, and Villar will be required to publicly sign a contract with the district following the vote.