Dr. Jill Gildea Named GPS Superintendent

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New Greenwich Superintendent Dr. Jill Gildea

By Rob Adams
Sentinel Broadcasting Manager/Reporter

Greenwich Public Schools has found its new leader.

Following what was described as “a comprehensive national search,” the Greenwich Board of Education unanimously selected Dr. Jill M. Gildea as Superintendent of schools.

Dr. Gildea came to town with her husband, Greg, and her youngest child, to meet with staff members and media in the Havemeyer Building.

“Our family is just thrilled to be joining this incredible team at Greenwich Public Schools,” Gildea said. “It’s an amazing and exemplary district and I cannot wait to continue the forward momentum of all of the great initiatives that you have in place.

It was truly your strategic vision and your strategic plan that drew our interest in this particularly community and this particular district.”

Dr. Gildea is currently the Superintendent of Schools for Fremont School District 79 in Mundelein, IL. She spent part of yesterday looking at places to live in Greenwich before “sneaking into” a chorale concert Wednesday night at Greenwich High School.

She intends to be living in Greenwich by mid-June.

Current interim Superintendent, Dr. Sal Corda, will stay on until the end of June to help make the transition smooth.

“I have really enjoyed my time in this exceptional district and offer my congratulations to Dr. Gildea,” Corda said.

Dr. Gildea will begin her new position on July 1, but as part of her entry plan, intends to spend time in the district to get further acquainted.

She comes to Greenwich with high recommendations, being selected from a pool of candidates led by Ray and Associates.

Board Superintendent Search Committee Chair Laura Erickson spoke highly of the incoming school boss.

“Confirmed in reference checks conducted by each board member,” Dr. Gildea exhibited a superior knowledge base of personalized learning and drivers of student achievement,” Erickson said. This knowledge base, combined with her experience, communication skills, and extensive professional credentials set her apart from other qualified candidates.

Said Board of Education Chair Peter Sherr: “We are confident in our appointment of Dr. Gildea as a recognized leader in improving student performance for all students through personalized learning and evidence-based management.

“We’re lucky to have you,” Sherr added during the Thursday morning press conference.

Sherr was quick to recognize the effort of Erickson.

“It’s been quite a journey and she really helped us get where we need to go,” he said.

“It was really a team effort, so I think all of the board members were all very diligent and thoughtful throughout this process” Erickson replied.

“It is a team sport,” Sherr quipped.

Dr. Gildea has been in education for 29 years, with stops in districts both small and large.

“I’ve actually worked in districts as small as 500 and as large as 43,000, so this is really a right-size district in my mind,” she said.

She has held positions that have stretched from teaching in middle and high schools through various administrative positions, including superintendent and assistant superintendent.

She specializes in being student-centered and future-focused as an educator, ensuring that students are kept at the forefront of all decisions. She’s further described as working with staff, municipalities, and stakeholders to ensure the district’s value of fiscal responsibility, collaborative practice, and whole child development are realized.

After receiving a bachelor of arts in English and Secondary Education from Bradley University, Gildea received her master’s degree from National Louis University and her doctorate in curriculum and and supervision from Norther Illinois University.

Additionally, she received her superintendent’s endorsement from National Louis University.

Dan Domenench, Executive Director of the American Association of School Administrators told the Greenwich Board of Education that Gildea is the right person for the job.

“She will work closely with the Greenwich Board, staff, parents, students, and the community at large to maintain and improve the high quality of education that has been a hallmark of that school system,” he said.

Dr. Gildea will join the district with a three-year term that will end June 30, 2020, and will earn $250,000 in the first school year, with negotiations thereafter.

Speaking about looking at where to live, Gildea said the town of Greenwich added to the appeal of this position.

“That was the other piece of that was so attractive about this area: the vibrancy of the community,” she said.

Greenwich will get know her well, beginning in July.

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