Schools

Board of Education Promotes Falcone To Superintendent

Members unanimously appointed Stephen V. Falcone, who has served as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Secondary Education since 2005.

The Darien Board of Education elected Dr. Stephen V. Falcone to serve as the new Superintendent of Schools Tuesday night, filling a position soon to be vacated by the retiring Donald P. Fiftal.

Members voted unanimously to back Falcone, who has served as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Secondary Education since 2005. The appointment takes effect July 1.

"I'm honored to be able to serve in this community in this role," Falcone said after the board meeting. "I'm thankful for the foundation that Mr. Fiftal has laid. It gives us the foundation moving forward to do even more on behalf of students here in the district."

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Falcone's election marks the end of a four-month process that began when Fiftal announced his plans to retire in January. An educator with over 40 years of experience, Fiftal has held the position since 2005.

In a statement released after the vote, the board hailed Falcone's "keen understanding of the diverse learning needs of all students" and his reputation as a "thoughtful, collaborative and trusted leader who takes the time to understand the culture of a community."

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"His work in research based instructional methods, and in the recruitment, professional development and mentoring of outstanding staff have earned him widespread respect," the statement read.

In April, the board reviewed survey data and focus group results from across the district to identify "unique characteristics" sought in a replacement. Respondents emphasized the need for someone with financial savvy, good communication skills, and a familiarity with the "culture of Darien."

The selection process was conducted by a committee chaired by Secretary Clara Sartori. The board also  to help with the search.

"Now we have a result that the community can be proud of," Sartori said, announcing the nomination at the meeting.

According the board's statement, Falcone earned a B.A. in political science from Amherst College, an M.A. in liberal studies from Wesleyan University, a C.A.S. in educational administration from Sacred Heart University, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from the University of Connecticut.

Falcone's first teaching position was at Canterbury School in New Milford, CT. He came to Darien High School in the 1990s, where he taught history and social studies. After serving as Dean of Students at Middlebrook Middle School in Wilton from 1996 to 1998, he was named assistant principal of DHS in 1998. Leaving the state in 2001 to serve as principal of Fox Lane High School in Bedford, N.Y., Falcone returned to Darien once more in 2005 upon his appointment as assistant superintendent.

Falcone said that while his focus has been secondary education during the past five years, he is ready to take on the task of overseeing elementary-level education as well.

"There's always a learning curve, but I've had an opportunity to learn areas that I haven't had exposure to," Falcone said. "When I moved into an assistant principalship, I had to learn about mathematics and foreign language and more about special education."

Notably, Fiftal came to the superintendency off of a stint in the same secondary education post, having served four years in the job.

Falcone added that raising young children and being married to a kindergarten teacher has given him a "unique lens at home to have that elementary perspective."

Falcone is a resident of New Canaan, a fact remarked upon by board of education chair Kim Westcott as she presented him with a Blue Wave baseball cap during Tuesday's meeting.

Earlier in the evening, Westcott told an approving crowd that Wednesday, May 26 had been declared "Don Fiftal Day" by Gov. Jodi Rell in honor of his service and retirement.

The district is also holding a celebration in Fiftal's honor Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Tokeneke Elementary School. The event is open to the community.


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