Superintendent Kelly Lyman Announces Plan to Retire from Mansfield Public Schools in June of 2022.
Mansfield, CT October 7, 2021- Mansfield Public School Superintendent Kelly Lyman has announced to Mansfield staff and parents that she has informed the Board of Education of her intent to resign from public school education effective June 30, 2022. The Board approved her resignation at a special meeting on October 6.
In an announcement to parents, Superintendent Lyman says, “The community of Mansfield is fortunate indeed to have such a high degree of support for the education of its children. This is seen not only in the financial support to our schools, but also in the commitment to maintain a wealth of school programs to all children and the level of engagement and interest the whole community demonstrates in its schools time and again. The decision to build a new school is one example of what can happen when the community works together to do what is best for its youngest citizens.
“It was this support, engagement, and commitment that drew me to Mansfield when I was looking for a district to lead, and it is these attributes that have contributed to the continuous development and success our schools have enjoyed. Mansfield has been a wonderful place to work as a school leader and I am proud of all that we have accomplished together,” she says.
Mansfield is in the construction phase of a new PreK to Grade 4 elementary school, the first net-zero elementary school in the state. Superintendent Lyman helped guide the Board of Education and community through the process of evaluating the educational needs and shaping the plans for the new school.
In her communication to families she explained the timing of her resignation is critical to the transition process. “I am making the announcement now to allow the Board and community the time needed to find a replacement during this most important of transition years. As we plan for the uniting of our three elementary schools into one, it is important that the new leader be identified with time to observe and learn about our community prior to the next school year,” says Superintendent Lyman.
Superintendent Lyman has expressed her commitment to ensuring a smooth evolution from three elementary schools to one, and that in the coming weeks and months, school leaders, staff and the Board of Education will be engaged in a variety of transition planning and support programs.
“We are so fortunate that such an enlightened educational leader as Kelly has invested her time and talents in Mansfield shaping one of the foremost school districts in our state,” says Kathy Ward, Chairman of the Board of Education for Mansfield Public Schools. “Her focus on developing true student-centered learning and her commitment to professional learning for all staff has shaped a culture committed to excellence, and her leadership will impact learning here in Mansfield for many years to come. Now our attention will turn to building the best leadership team to continue fulfilling our newly refined strategic plan and mission.”
After its special meeting, the Board of Education plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to seek assistance from a consultant to guide the search for the new superintendent. The Board intends to expedite the process this winter so that a new leader is in place July 1, 2022.
In her letter to Mansfield School staff, Superintendent Lyman says, “I have felt blessed to find myself in this community, to work with you, and to learn from you. I hope my work has left you feeling supported and proud to be a member of our community. It has been my pleasure to serve as the lead learner of the Mansfield Public Schools and I look forward to continuing this work in the months ahead.”
Superintendent Lyman has worked 38 years in Connecticut public schools. She has lead Mansfield Public Schools since 2015, bringing experience as an assistant superintendent at Regional School District 15 in Middlebury, CT. After starting her educational career as a special education teacher, Ms Lyman served as assistant principal and principal at elementary and middle schools in Winchester and Farmington, CT. She also worked with the Connecticut Department of Education as administrator in residence while serving as a principal.
Ms Lyman also serves on the staff of the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT as an Adjunct Professor with the University of Connecticut Administrator Preparation Program (UCAPP), Executive Leadership Program, and Advanced Leadership Training Program offered in Amman, Jordan. Having graduated from these leadership programs, Ms Lyman is an active member of the Neag School of Education Alumni Board.
Ms Lyman is also considered a leader among her peers, and is active with many professional associations. Presently she serves as the Assistant Chair to the Advisory Board of EdLeader21/Battelle for Kids National Professional Learning Community, and is serving as a Commissioner of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges’ Council for International Education in Burlington, MA. She is a Member of the Connecticut Center for School Change Superintendent Network, and for three years was Area Chair on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Association of School Superintendents, West Hartford, CT.
In addition to mentoring many emerging educational leaders in Connecticut, Ms Lyman is also frequently called on to appear on panels and programs, and publishes articles for national and international professional groups. She has traveled abroad several times with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, ACE International School Accreditation team.
About Mansfield Public Schools
Mansfield Public Schools, with three Pre-K to Grade 4 elementary schools and a Grade 5-8 middle school, serves approximately 1,000 students. The three Pre-K to Grade 4 schools will be consolidated into a single school for school year 2022-23, the first net-zero energy elementary school in the state. Under the direction of Superintendent Kelly Lyman, the district works in partnership with the community to ensure each and every child develops the knowledge, skills and dispositions essential for personal excellence in learning, life, and work within our local and global community.