The State Board of Education Wednesday agreed to step in and assist the New London School District.
New London, which was ranked in the bottom four school districts in the state, will receive a special master to oversee the schools and the local school board will receive training on how to govern.
“The supervision of the special master will ensure that there's a greater discipline to the planning process, a greater structure to the operation of the district, both in terms of the local board and the superintendency,” said Stefan Pryor, the State Education Commissioner.
The decision was made following a scathing audit last month on the culture of the school system and board member behavior.
New London Superintendent Nicholas Fischer asked for the state to step in because the school district is facing several financial problems and is laying off as many as 60 teachers.
"I, in my professional career, have always tried to recognize when assistance would help, and in this case it would help a great deal," Fischer said.
The plan will go into effect July 1 and last for one year, subject to renewal by the state board. It is not considered a takeover, according to members of the State Board of Eduction, but rather a partnership with supervision.
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If New London schools continue to struggle, the state can then reconstitute the members of the New London school board and appoint a new superintendent.
