And then there was one: Garth Harries exits
The Department of Education announced today the soon-to-be-official appointment of Garth Harries as assistant superintendent of schools in New Haven, CT.
Harries had previously served as CEO of the Portfolio office at the DOE, where he supervised the wholesale closure of dozens of schools and the creation of hundreds of new schools in their wake. In February 2009, he was appointed to review special education services and programs, which was a controversial announcement because Harries did not have any experience with special education. His review is not yet complete, but he told advocates in an email this morning that he was committed to finishing the project before he begins his new job on July 6.
The special education team has lost most of its lead administrators in recent months: Deputy Chancellor for Teaching and Learning Marcia Lyles is leaving the DOE for a Delaware district, and Linda Wernickoff, who has dedicated her career to the special education community, is retiring this year as well.
The exodus leaves only District 75 Superintendent Bonnie Brown to (potentially) spearhead special education reforms. The changes of leadership at this critical juncture make it all too easy to understand why the community of special education parents, educators, children and advocates believe their cause, and their children, take a remote second place at the DOE table.
As yet, the DOE has not announced who (if anyone) will replace Harries.
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Linda Wernikoff — now there is a terrible loss (tho some would disagree).
Garth Harries — no great loss there - and a mistake from the beginning…
Bonnie Brown — tough, strong, knowledgeable, experienced - obviously more qualified than Garth — and respected by many parents and professionals.
Comment by Anonymous — June 9, 2009 @ 7:27 am
Bonnie Brown is a phony. She could have really transformed D75, but she chose to play politics. And now she’s top dog — the only one left standing.
Comment by bklynlifer — June 9, 2009 @ 11:05 pm