Stakeholder Feedback Report and Leader Profile - June 2025
Superintendent Search
- Regional School District #17 names Dr. Patricia Sullivan-Kowalski as new Superintendent
- Appointment of RSD17 Interim Superintendent
- Stakeholder Feedback Report and Leadership Profile
- RSD17 Superintendent Search Survey
- Virtual Public Forums for Parents and Community Members
Regional School District #17 names Dr. Patricia Sullivan-Kowalski as new Superintendent
10/29/2025 - Higganum, CT - Regional School District #17 is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Patricia Sullivan-Kowalski as the new Superintendent of Schools.
Dr. Sullivan-Kowalski brings 30 years of experience in educational leadership across Connecticut. As Assistant Superintendent for Meriden Public Schools, she directed and oversaw Meriden’s special education, related services and counseling, leading 200 staff members and managing a $40 million dollar budget. She has led numerous district-wide initiatives focused on instructional excellence, student supports, and family-school partnerships, and as supervisor of several schools, she fostered strong leadership and teamwork, student success and operational efficiency. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Comparative Education from the University of Bridgeport, a Sixth-Year Certificate in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University, and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, as well as a Bachelor of Science from Ithaca College. Her doctoral research explored continuous professional development for principals, emphasizing the challenges faced by school leaders in urban settings.
Dr. Sullivan-Kowalski is deeply dedicated to supporting all students, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. She has built meaningful partnerships among families, district leaders and staff to collaborate on student academic achievement and well being. She is also recognized for resource stewardship, aligning district goals with the values of the community.
“Dr. Patricia Sullivan-Kowalski is an excellent choice to lead Regional School District #17 as its new Superintendent of Schools,” said Suzanne Sack, Chair of the Board of Education. “The Board of Education sought a leader who will unite our community around the needs of our students, inspire dedicated and experienced district staff, and manage our resources with integrity and care. We are thrilled to appoint Dr. Patricia Sullivan-Kowalski as Superintendent and are fully committed to supporting her long-term success in guiding our District.”
“I am honored to join Regional School District #17 as the Superintendent of Schools. I’m inspired by the shared dedication to student success and the strong sense of community that defines the district,” said Dr. Sullivan-Kowalski. “I look forward to partnering with our students, staff, families, and community members. Together, we will continue to foster a culture of collaboration and high expectations for all learners.”
The search was facilitated by consultants from Trumbull-based Cooperative Educational Services (C.E.S.), who guided the district’s search committee through the decision-making process by providing a leadership profile based on feedback from the district’s various stakeholders and facilitating the interview process with candidates. The consultants employed an advanced interview technique proven to demonstrate the candidates’ abilities to be successful in the leadership position by assessing their supervisory skills, qualities, and attributes against the established profile.
Appointment of RSD17 Interim Superintendent
Dear HK Community,
We are delighted to announce that the Board of Education will appoint, beginning July 1st, 2025, Mr. Paul Smith as the Interim Superintendent. Mr. Smith brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to education. He holds degrees from Boston University, the University of Rochester, and the University of Connecticut. From 2016-2024, Smith served as Superintendent of Schools in East Hampton where he was committed to focusing on a culture of compassion as the cornerstone to an ambitious vision of excellence for all children. He also served as Superintendent of Schools in Bolton and Griswold, CT.
A presenter at the annual New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Annual Conference and the Showcase of Model Programs, he was the recipient of the NEASC 2020 and 2023 Service Award and the NEASC Jacob Ludes III Leadership Award. He regularly leads accreditation visits of high schools in New England and has served on the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) Board of Directors as well as serving as Chairperson of the Middlesex/Shoreline Superintendents’ Association. Prior to serving as Superintendent in East Hampton, Smith began his career as a music teacher and band director and later as a high school principal.
Paul is married to Dr. Jacqueline Smith, a specialist in music education for students with special needs and a lecturer at Boston University. The Smiths have two grown children.
We look forward to welcoming Mr. Smith to HK and look forward to his leadership as we begin the search for our next superintendent.
In addition, We’d like to recognize the RSD17 staff for their continued dedication through this transition and thank our community families for their partnership with us to support their students.
Sincerely,
RSD17 Board of Education
Stakeholder Feedback Report and Leadership Profile
RSD17 Superintendent Search Survey
RSD17 Superintendent Search Survey
The Region 17 Board of Education has begun its Superintendent of Schools search and is seeking your input and opinion on what you believe are the needed characteristics and attributes of a highly successful district leader.
Please see and complete the RSD17 Superintendent Search Survey
In advance, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, as this survey will be collated with anonymity.
Please direct any further comments to the search consultant, Dr. Charles Dumais, at dumaisc@cestrumbull.org
Virtual Public Forums for Parents and Community Members
Virtual Public Forums for Parents and Community Members
The RSD17 Board of Education invites you to share your thoughts on the qualities and characteristics you believe are essential in a highly successful district leader.
Our Superintendent Search Consultants, Dr. Charles Dumais and David Erwin from Cooperative Educational Services (CES) will be hosting three virtual meetings to gather input from parents and community members. This feedback will help guide the superintendent hiring committee.
We encourage you to participate and lend your voice to this important process.
Parent Conversations (two dates):
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 5:30 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://edadvance-org.zoom.us/j/89703007673?pwd=TlvzwcrEscCAm6AXNjisoUkOT0ACQ7.1
Meeting ID: 897 0300 7673
Passcode: 228805
Friday, May 29, 2025 at 8:45 am
Join Zoom Meeting
https://edadvance-org.zoom.us/j/84986769404?pwd=fHzcqHCQdxTesWYTNjU9V3P3Fh4u78.1
Meeting ID: 849 8676 9404
Passcode: 355395
Community Conversation:
Tuesday, May 27 at 6:15 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://edadvance-org.zoom.us/j/82675056967?pwd=Op599499hRRJ1d5CUWdKO45V5aw71w.1
Meeting ID: 826 7505 6967
Passcode: 238886
Any resident needing additional information on the community conversation should contact Dr. Charles Dumais, at dumaisc@cestrumbull.org