Evette Avila was unanimously elected as Valley Central’s next Superintendent by the Board of Education who were impressed with her extensive experience with all aspects of District operations and administration spanning more than 30 years. Her tenure as Valley Central Superintendent began January 2023.
Ms. Avila brings a wealth of education experience from the administrative and teaching realms to the superintendent role. She most recently served as Chief of Schools at Hartford Public Schools.
Ms. Avila has had the opportunity to lead statewide and nationally through the Connecticut LEAD Program, School Leaders’ Network, McGraw Hill and the NYC iZone Program.
She has fostered partnerships with local organizations to promote student wellbeing and has empowered the use of current research to impact student success. Ms. Avila has taught various grade levels in both public and private schools and has also served in various administrative roles. She has provided counseling , conducted professional development and implemented district initiatives.
Ms. Avila has led systemic and sustainable change by building organizational capacity, trust and effectiveness to increase the quality of education for all students and create a culture of achievement that embeds equity and celebrates progress.
Evette Avila believes these core values are at the center of her work in developing a positive culture for teachers and administrators:
- Students are always the number one priority and lie at the center of decision making.
- Everyone in the organization is a leader and should be empowered to utilize their skill set for the advancement of the school district.
- Maintain a commitment to excellence and equity so that all students successfully achieve and successfully contribute to this ever changing complex world.
As the Superintendent of the Valley Central School District, Ms. Avila strives to create a safe and innovative environment where students are motivated to think critically, communicate effectively, and achieve excellence. She embraces the VC motto; Loyal, Progress, Serve to support our students in successfully achieving and significantly contributing to this global, complex changing world.
Message from Superintendent, Evette Avila
Letter to Families from Superintendent- January 2023
Meet Evette Avila
VC Superintendent: January 2023
Chief of Schools, Hartford Public Schools 2017-2022
Responsible for operations and achievement: 39 schools, Alternative Programs, Adult Education, Gifted/Talented Program. 17,500 students, 3,400 staff, $426M budget.
Connecticut DOE/ Partners for Educational Leadership 2014-2017
Facilitated systemic school improvement for 43 turnaround schools across Connecticut
NYC Regional Director 2012-2015
School Leaders Network- Supervised NYC facilitators and developers of professional learning for 90 principals concentrating on impact of leadership on student achievement.
McGraw Hill, Nat’l Director of Professional Development 2010-2014
Supervised professional learning program for comprehensive digital program
Principals/Assistant Principal, 1993-2010
Ridgeway Elementary School, White Plains, NY
PS 5, New York, NY
Significantly increase student achievement, parent involvement, developed native language institute for bilingual students,founded Newcomer center for ELL students, instituted autistic program
Adjunct Instructor 2011-2018
University of Connecticut 2014-2018
Westchester Community College 2011-2012
Teacher/Counselor 1985-1993
PreK-5th grade teacher/6th-8th Math/Science
Guidance/Milieu Counselor K&1,2 to HS
EDUCATION
School District Leadership Advanced Degree
College of St. Rose, Eastchester NY, 2014
MA, Education Administration
Principal’s Institute, Bank Street College NYC 1993
MSW, Social Work
Fordham University, NYC 1993
BA, Psychology/Education
Hunter College, NYC, 1987
ROLE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
The Superintendent is the chief administrative officer for the District. They are responsible for the effective operation of the District; for the general administration of all instructional, business or other operations of the District; and for advising and making recommendations to the Board of Education with respect to such activities. They shall perform all the duties and accept all of the responsibilities usually required of a Superintendent as prescribed by the Education Laws of New York State, the rules and regulations of the Board of Regents and Commissioner of Education, laws and regulations of the United States, statutes of New York State, and the policies, rules, and regulations established by the Board of Education.
The Superintendent shall possess the following powers and be charged with the following duties:
- To be the chief executive officer of the District, with the right to speak on all matters before the Board, but not to vote.
- To enforce all provisions of law and all rules and regulations relating to the management of the schools and other educational, social and recreational activities under the direction of the Board.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
- Keep the Board informed of the condition of the District’s educational system; assure effective communication between the Board and the staff of the school system. Relay all communications by the Board regarding personnel to district employees and receive from all school personnel any communications directed to the Board.
- Prepare the agenda for Board meetings, in consultation with the President of the Board. Prepare and submit recommendations to the Board relative to all matters requiring board action, placing before the Board such necessary and helpful facts, information, and reports as are needed to insure the making of informed decisions.
- Submit to the Board a clear and detailed explanation of any proposed procedure which would involve either departure from established policy or the expenditure of substantial sums.
- Develop and recommend to the Board objectives of the educational system; see to the development of internal objectives which support those of the Board.
- Develop and recommend to the Board long-range plans consistent with population trends, cultural needs, and the appropriate use of District facilities, and see to the development of long-range plans which are consistent with Board objectives.
- See to the development of specific administrative procedures and programs to implement the intent established by Board policies, directives and formal actions.
- See to the execution of all decisions of the Board.
- See that sound plans of organization, educational programs and services are developed and maintained for the Board.
- Maintain adequate records for the schools, including a system of financial accounts, business and property records, personnel records, school population and scholastic records. Act as custodian of such records and all contracts, securities, documents, title papers, books of records, and other papers belonging to the Board.
- Be directly responsible for news releases and/or other items of public interest emanating from all District employees which pertain to education matters, policies, procedures, school related incidents or events. Approve media interviews of this nature with District employees.
- Provide for the optimum use of the staff of the District. See that the District is staffed with competent people who are delegated authority commensurate with their responsibilities. Define the duties of all personnel.
- See that appropriate in-service training is conducted. Summon employees of the District to attend such regular and occasional meetings as are necessary to carry out the educational programs of the District.
- Prior to action by the Board, recommend the appointment, discipline or termination of employment of the administrators of the District.
- Prior to action by the Board, recommend the appointment, discipline or termination of employment of teaching and non-teaching personnel of the District.
- See to the development throughout the District of high standards of performance in educational achievement, use and development of personnel, public responsibility, and operating efficiency.
- See that effective relations with employee organizations are maintained, assume ultimate responsibility for collective negotiations with employees of the District
- See that the development, authorization, and the maintenance of an appropriate budgetary procedure is properly administered. Prepare the annual proposed budget and submit it to the Board by March 1 or at such earlier date as is necessary to provide an adequate opportunity for the Board’s discussion and deliberation.
- See that all funds, physical assets, and other property of the District are appropriately safeguarded and administered.
- File, or cause to be filed, all reports, requests and appropriations as required by various governing bodies and/or Board policies.
- Establish and maintain liaison with community groups which are interested or involved in the educational programs of the District.
- Establish and maintain liaison with other school districts, BOCES, the State Education Department, colleges and universities, and the U.S. Department of Education.
- Act on own discretion in cases where action is necessary on any matter not covered by Board policy or directive. Report such action to the Board as soon as practicable and recommend policy in order to provide guidance in the future.