The superintendent of Hartford public schools is stepping down to take a job with the United States Department of Defense Schools in Okinawa, Japan.
Beth Schiavino-Narvaez released a statement to colleagues and families in the school system to say she will be the Chief of Instructional Leadership Development with the United States Department of Defense Schools, which is a newly-created position.
She will be working with three districts in the Pacific, including Korea, Japan and Guam, and will be serving 23,000 students in 48 schools.
“It is with mixed feelings that I share this news. I have loved serving as Hartford’s Superintendent and working with our wonderful students, families, educators, staff, partners and our Board. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for my family,” she said in the letter.
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin released a statement, saying he wishes Schiavino-Narvaez well.
“Over the past two years, Superintendent Schiavino-Narvaez has dedicated herself to serving Hartford’s students and strengthening Hartford’s schools, and I wish her well in her new role," Bronin said. "The coming months and years present important opportunities and challenges for the Hartford school system, as new leaders will have the chance to fight for reforms in the wake of yesterday’s historic court decision, shape the next phase of the longstanding Sheff vs. O’Neil lawsuit, manage the Equity 2020 process and school consolidation, and increase our focus on quality neighborhood and community schools.
Schiavino-Narvaez started her career 22 years ago as a Fulbright Scholar teaching in South Korea and her husband and daughter are both Korean.
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“In weighing my decision, I recognized the unique opportunity this appointment provides both personally and culturally for my family,” she said.
Bronin said he is confident that the Board of Education will move quickly to name an interim superintendent and will work closely with the Board of Education during that process.
