April5,2017
TotheSomersSchoolsandCommunity,
OnTuesday,April4,2017,theSomersBoardofEducationvotedunanimouslytoappointBrian
P.CzaplaasSomers’nextSuperintendentofSchools,effectiveJuly1,2017.TheBoardisthrilled
towelcomeBriantothecommunityandmembersbelievehewillbringtheexperience,
leadership,vision,knowledge,kindness,andthoughtfulnesstohelpSomersschoolsand
communitythrive.
Mr.CzaplacomestoSomersfromtheGlastonburyPublicSchools,wherehehasenjoyed18
successfulyearsasanadministrator,firstatthemiddleschoollevel,thenasDirectorof
EducationTechnology.(Pleaseseethepressreleasebelowthathighlightshiscareersuccesses
andmilestones.)Mr.Czaplawasselectedfromarobustcandidatepoolof21applicants,
predominantlyfromConnecticutandMassachusetts.TheBoardselectedandinterviewedeight
semi-finalistsandfelttheyhadanexcellentpool.Fromthoseeight,theyselectedthreefinalists
andconductedthoroughreferenceandbackgroundchecks.Brianemergedasthetopchoice.
Initsfinalvettingstep,fourmembersoftheBoardspentthebetterpartofadayinGlastonbury
PublicSchools,meetingwith16membersoftheteaching,administrative,andsupportstaff,as
wellasthreeboardmembers.TheSomersBoardheardmanyobservationsthatreassuredthem
BrianistherightchoiceforSomersatthistime.Heisviewedasavisionaryleaderwhoisa
problemsolver“withalotofwalkingaroundcommonsense.”Helooksatissuesholistically,
listeningcarefullytoothers.Heishighlyregardedbyteachers,administrators,andsupport
staff,andplaceshisfaithandtrustinthem.Staffatalllevelsfindhimverypersonable,
relatable,andwithagreatsenseofhumor.ParticipantstalkedabouthowBrianhadhelped
themdevelopasteachersandadministrators.Theyfeltstudentlearningandpreparationhas
alwaysbeenatthecenterofhiswork.TheydescribedBrianasunassuming,focusingonthe
strengthsandeffortsofothers.Heresearchesandplans,andhepaysattentiontoculture.They
areverysorrytolosehim.
ThisSomersBoardactionconcludesacomprehensiveprocessbegunbytheBoardlast
November.TheBoardhastakenthischallengingprocessveryseriouslyandhasdevotedthe
timeandenergytofindingtherightmatchforSomersatthistime.
IthasbeenapleasuretogettoknowtheSomersschoolsandcommunitythroughthisprocess.I
wishyoualltheverybestasyoubeginthisnextchapterwithBrianCzaplaatthehelm.
MaryBroderick
CABESearchServices
SomersBoardofEducation
PressReleaseforImmediateRelease
Contact:BruceDevlin(BoardofEducationChairman)
[email protected])
SomersBoardofEducationAppointsNewSuperintendentofSchools
Somers,Connecticut:AtitsApril4,2017meeting,theSomersBoardofEducation
unanimouslyappointedBrianP.CzaplaasthenewSuperintendentofSchools
startingJuly1,2017.HewillbereplacingDr.MaynardSuffrediniwhoisretiring
aftertenyearsofserviceastheSomersSuperintendent.Czaplaemergedasthetop
candidatefromaverystrongfieldof25applicants.
SomersBoardofEducationChairmanBruceDevlinsaid,“Outofallthecandidates,
BrianwastheclearchoicetoleadSomersPublicSchools.Hehasextensive
leadershipexperience,theabilitytodevelopcollaborativerelationshipsinakind
andthoughtfulmanner,andastudent-focusedphilosophythatwillensureSomers
PublicSchoolscontinuestobuildonallitssuccesseswhileprovidingourstudents
withahighqualityeducation.”
Mr.CzaplahasbeenasuccessfuladministratoratGlastonburyPublicSchoolsfor
eighteenyears,servingastheDirectorofEducationalTechnologyforthepast
twelve.Inthisrole,hehasbeenresponsibleforcoordinatingthedevelopmentof
thedistrictbudget,fiscalmanagement,technologyintegration,policyand
governance,curriculum,professionaldevelopment,programadministration,
strategicplanning,dataanalytics,andcommunityprogramming.Hehasfacilitated
numerousimpactfulinstructionalstrategiesincludingoneofthefirstone-to-one
technologyinitiativesinConnecticut.Heisknownasaneffectiveleaderwho
establishesrespectfulpartnershipswithstaffandthecommunityinsupportof
studentlearning.
GlastonburySuperintendentAlanB.BookmanhashighpraiseforCzaplasaying,
“Brianhasbeeninstrumentalandinfluentialinnumerousacademicandoperational
projects.Hehasbeenperformingthedutiesofanassistantsuperintendentthepast
twelveyearswithouttheformaltitle.Somersisveryfortunatetohavesucha
dynamicSuperintendent.Wewillmisshimterribly.”
Czaplasaidheis“honored,excitedandhumbled”tobejoiningSomersPublic
Schools.“Somershasarichhistoryofexcellence,innovation,highstandardsand
publicsupport,”hesaid.“Ieagerlylookforwardtoworkingwiththisexceptional
teamofstudents,staff,parents,BoardofEducationandcommunitymembersaswe
continuetheSomerstraditionofexcellence.”
CzaplareceivedhisBachelorsDegreefromProvidenceCollegeandhisMastersand
advanceddegreesfromCentralConnecticutStateUniversity.Hestartedhiscareer
asahighschoolmathteacherinRegion8andtaughtinHartfordandBristol.His
firstadministrativerolewasinWindsorLocksasamiddleschoolassistant
principal.Czaplahasreceivednumerousawardsandrecognitionincludingthe
NationalDistrictsofDistinctionAward,ConnecticutAssistantPrincipaloftheYear,
CentralConnecticutStateUniversityOutstandingAlumniLeadershipAward,
ConnecticutAssociationofSchoolLibrariansAdministratorAward,andthe
ConnecticutQualityImprovementAward.Heisalsoactiveinstateandnational
initiativessuchasFutureReadySchools,CRECTechnologyCouncil,andthe
ConnecticutCommissionforEducationalTechnologyDataandPrivacyCouncil.
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