New Receiver For Southbridge School Department
CT Education
Jeff Wulfson, Acting Commissioner of Southbridge Public Schools has announced that he has appointed a new receiver for the troubled school district. Dr. Jeffrey Villar will join Southbridge on February 12th, taking over for Jessica Huizenga, who resigned in July. The Telegram & Gazette reports his salary will begin at $198,000 per year.
Dr. Villar previously served as executive director of the Connecticut Council for Education Reform. He is also a former superintendent in Windsor and Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
According to the announcement posted on the school department’s website, Dr. Villar started as a bilingual high school history teacher and later served as a principal and superintendent who worked with teachers and district staff to align curriculum, improve district budget transparency and increase student achievement.
As executive director of the Connecticut Council for Education Reform, he has led efforts to provide district leaders with technical support and professional development to narrow achievement gaps in Connecticut.
According to the CT Ed Reform website, Dr. Villar lives in Mansfield, CT with his wife, Kelly, and his six children.