District Leadership Team

Adrian Talley, EdD, Superintendent

Dr. Adrian B. Talley joined Stamford Public Schools as Superintendent on July 1, 2026, having been unanimously appointed to the position by the Stamford Board of Education in April 2026. A  community-centered educational leader with decades of experience guiding large suburban, urban, and global public-school systems, Dr. Talley is known for his strategic acumen, collaborative approach, and commitment to student equity, achievement, and well-being. 

Prior to joining Stamford Public Schools, Dr. Talley was Superintendent of Indian Prairie School District 204 (IPSD), a diverse, high-performing public school district in Illinois serving more than 26,000 students. During his six years at Indian Prairie, he spearheaded several significant initiatives, including the development of a strategic plan, the completion of a comprehensive review of district boundaries, the initiation of the CARES plan to support mental health, the passage of a $420 million bound referendum, and the successful approval of an equity plan by the Board of Education. He was awarded the DuPage County 2025 Educator of the Year award, the 2023 DuPage NAACP Education Award, and the Dr. Scott J. Helton Excellence in Educational Leadership Award. 

Prior to IPSD, Dr. Talley served as Director of Community Schools (2018-2020) and Executive Director of Student Services (2015-18) for Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) in Maryland. During his tenure with PGCPS, he designed and launched a districtwide community school initiative and oversaw student services including counseling, health services, and college readiness for more than 130,000 students across 208 schools and program sites. 

From 2012 to 2015, Dr. Talley served military families worldwide as Principal Deputy Director and Associate Director of Education for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). In this role, he was the second-in-command of a global school system serving 84,000 children in 181 schools throughout the world. He received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Civilian Career Services Award (2015) for his work with the DoDEA. 

Dr. Talley also spent six years in senior leadership roles with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Maryland. He oversaw 40 schools serving 29,000 students as Community Superintendent and later led research, evaluation, testing, and accountability functions as Associate Superintendent, Shared Accountability.  

Dr. Talley began his career as an elementary school classroom teacher in Fairfax County, VA  and held early leadership roles as an assistant principal and principal at elementary schools in Maryland and New York. 

In addition to his work as a school district leader, Dr. Talley has helped shape future generations of educators as an instructor at American University and The George Washington University, where he taught graduate-level courses focused on effective leadership. 

Dr. Talley earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Virginia, a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Boston College, and a Doctor of Education in Education Administration and Policy from The George Washington University.

Amy Beldotti, Chief Academic Officer

Amy Beldotti was named Chief Academic Officer for Stamford Public Schools in 2023 after having served as Associate Superintendent for Teaching & Learning in 2019. 

As Chief Academic Officer, Beldotti is responsible for curriculum, instruction, and assessment for PreK-12, including special education and related services for students with disabilities, programs for multilingual learners, early childhood programs, research and data, accountability reporting, professional learning for educators, the SPS Summer School Program, grant-funded programs, and educational technology. 

During her tenure leading the district’s teaching and learning efforts, Beldotti oversaw the first comprehensive curriculum audit in more than 20 years, and subsequently managed a three-year, teacher- led initiative to redesign and implement new PreK–12 curricula across all content areas. As part of this initiative, Stamford Public Schools introduced Integrated Mathematics as its 3-year high school mathematics curriculum, CKLA as its K-5 reading curriculum, and iReady Mathematics as the K-8 math curriculum. The district also adopted 

Prior to joining the Central Office, Beldotti was the Principal at Toquam Elementary School from 2014 to 2019 and the Assistant Principal at Davenport Ridge Elementary School from 2011 to 2014. She began her tenure with Stamford Public Schools in 1998 as a speech language pathologist at Stillmeadow Elementary School.   

A graduate of Stamford High School, Beldotti earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech/English from Wittenberg University, a Master of Science in Communication Disorders from Southern Connecticut State University, and a Sixth-Year Diploma in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Bridgeport. 

Beldotti is a Stamford resident whose four children graduated from Stamford High School. 

She is certified by the Connecticut State Department of Education as a Speech and Language Pathologist (CT 061) and in Intermediate Administration or Supervision (CT 092).

Lisa Saba-Price, Assistant Superintendent, Elementary 

Lisa Saba-Price was appointed Assistant Superintendent, Elementary effective July 1, 2026 after serving as the Interim Associate Superintendent, Elementary for the 2025-26 school year. A Stamford native with nearly 40 years of service to Stamford Public Schools, Saba-Price has been a teacher, assistant principal, or principal at five of the district’s 13 elementary schools.

Saba-Price joined the central office from Westover Magnet School, where she had been principal since 2021. In this role, she reinvigorated the Arts Magnet theme by bringing in Artists in Residence including African Drumming and Steel Pans. Westover has always been an attractive magnet for its academic excellence, and her focus on early grade literacy increased the school's literacy scores to among the highest in the district. During her tenure at Westover, the school also began its transition from a traditional elementary school into a K-8 program. 

Prior to joining Westover, Saba-Price spent eight years as the Principal of Newfield Elementary School (2013-2021) and was assistant principal at Davenport Ridge Elementary (2004-2006) and Stillmeadow Elementary (2006-2013). She began her career in education in 1988 at Holy Spirit School and joined SPS in 1990 as a classroom teacher at Northeast Elementary. She moved to Davenport Ridge Elementary in 2000 to become a teacher leader as the Program Improvement Planner. 

A graduate of Westhill High School, Saba-Price earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Catholic University, a Master of Arts in Education from Sacred Heart University, and a Sixth-Year Diploma in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University. 

She is certified by the Connecticut State Department of Education in Prek-3 Education (CT 003); Grades 4-8 Education (CT 006) and Intermediate Administration or Supervision (092).

Scott Clayton, Assistant Superintendent, Secondary

Scott Clayton was appointed Assistant Superintendent, Secondary in July 2026 after serving as the Director of Student Data and Systems since July 2024. He joined the central office from Scofield Magnet Middle School, where he was principal from 2012 to 2024. During his tenure, Scofield was recognized for its teaching practice and student achievement by both the New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS Spotlight School 2015, 2018, 2023) and the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS Finalist “Middle School of the Year” 2023). 

Prior to joining Scofield, Clayton was Assistant Principal at Newtown High School in Sandy Hook, CT where he also served as Dean of Students and was a social studies teacher. Clayton began his career as an eighth grade U.S. History teacher at Rippowam Magnet Middle School in Stamford. 

Clayton earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Western Connecticut State University, a Master of Science in Secondary Education from the University of Bridgeport, a Sixth-Year Certificate in Educational Administration/Leadership from Sacred Heart University, and Superintendent Certification from Central Connecticut State University. 

He is certified by the Connecticut State Department of Education as a Superintendent (CT 093), in  Intermediate Administration or Supervision (CT 092), and in Grades 4-12 History and Social Studies (CT 026). 

In addition to being a dedicated educator, Clayton served nearly eight years as an active member of the Connecticut Army National Guard, and he is a member of the Board of Education and the current Board Chair in the Town of Bethel, CT.
 

Dr. Michael Fernandes, Chief Staff and Family Resource Officer

Michael Fernandes was named the Chief Staff and Family Resource Officer in June 2024. In this role, Fernandes leads the district's human resources strategy in support of instructional excellence and equity. He oversees labor relations, performance management, and workforce planning, and has supported development of innovative pipelines to recruit and retain educators in high-need certification areas. Dr. Fernandes also oversees a robust family resources operation including the Office of Family & Community Engagement and the SPS Welcome Center, which opened its doors to the community in November 2024. 

Fernandes has served in a variety of senior leadership roles since joining the SPS central office in 2013.  As Associate Superintendent for High Schools, he supervised high school principals and led initiatives to improve instructional practice and student outcomes. His leadership resulted in the implementation of cross-school learning structures, expanded professional development, and targeted academic recovery programs. As Associate Superintendent for Intervention and Student Support Fernandes oversaw special education and related services, developed multi-tiered systems of support, and led districtwide instructional and operational improvements. 

Earlier in his career, he served as principal of Turn of River Middle School, where he focused on data-driven instruction, professional learning communities, and technology integration. He began his tenure with Stamford Public Schools as a school psychologist at Stillmeadow Elementary School in 1998. 

Fernandes also contributes to the field through teaching and professional service. He has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Bridgeport and participates in advisory boards and community initiatives focused on education and youth mental health.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from Southern Connecticut State University, a Master of Science in School Psychology from Miami University, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Bridgeport. 

He is certified by the Connecticut State Department of Education as a Superintendent of Schools (CT 093), School Psychologist (CT070) and in Intermediate Administration or Supervision (CT 092).

Benjamin Chan, Chief Financial Officer

Chan was named Chief Financial Officer in September 2026. As Chief Financial Officer, Chan will oversee budgeting, finance, and procurement for Stamford Public Schools, as well as student transportation and food service operations.

Chan joins Stamford Public Schools from Great Oaks Charter School in Bridgeport, where he has served as Chief Financial Officer since 2023. He previously served as CFO of the Great Oaks Foundation from 2019 to 2023. In those roles, Chan provided financial leadership in support of the organization’s educational mission and operations.

Prior to entering the education sector, Chan built extensive private-sector experience in finance, strategy, and operations. He oversaw the turnaround, growth, and eventual sale of a New York-based apparel company and began his corporate career as an Engagement Manager with the Strategy Consulting Group at Price Waterhouse.

Chan is also active in his community. He serves as Head of the Finance Committee on the Westport Library Board of Trustees and as Vice President of the Board at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Brown University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Strategic Planning from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is fluent in Cantonese.

Chris Soules, Chief Compliance Officer

Christopher Soules was named Chief Compliance Officer in 2024 after serving as Executive Director Human Resources and Talent Development from 2020 to 2024 and Labor Relations Specialist from 2018 to 2020. 

Soules joined Stamford Public Schools from the NYC Commission to Combat Police Corruption, where he was an examining attorney from 2012 to 2018. Prior legal roles included staff attorney for the NYC Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association and Assistant Corporation Counsel with the NYC Law Department. Soules began his career as a police officer in Greenwich, CT in 1992 and was promoted to Sergeant in 2001.

Soules earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from John Jay College and a Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law. He is admitted to the New York State Bar. 

Cindy Grafstein, BOE Facilities Officer

Cindy Grafstein was appointed BOE Facilities Officer in 2019, following the creation of the BOE Facilities department and the conclusion of The Mold Task Force work. The new department replaced the outsourced management firm to an in-house staff of Facility Managers and the BOE Facilities Officer. 

Prior to this appointment, from 2013, Grafstein was a Special Assistant to Mayor Martin and Cabinet member. Primary focus of the position being to facilitate communication and collaboration between the Mayor's office and the Stamford Public Schools. She was also a part of the Mold Task Force, which was created to address the mold flare up in many of the Stamford school buildings. The Mold Task Force was a joint initiative of the Mayor's office and SPS to address both short term capital remediations at several schools, including the closing and relocation of Westover school, as well as to implement a long term school building capital plan. The Long Term Facility Plan (LTFP) was created and is currently the basis for the new construction at WH, Roxbury, Lower/Upper Schools, along with major capital funding invested across the district.   
Grafstein is a graduate of SUNY Albany and Brooklyn Law School.

Kevin McCarthy, Director of Facility Operations

As the Director of Facility Operations, McCarthy is responsible for the department’s operating budgets, contracts, and invoicing as well as custodial and maintenance staff oversight. Additional responsibilities include coordination, tracking, and reporting of preventative maintenance, repair work, and project work. Oversight of school building use, building custodial services, and exterior grounds maintenance are important activities accountable to the Director.

Michael Smith, Director of Facilities - Capital Projects

Mr. Smith is responsible for the department’s capital budgeting and capital planning. Construction coordination with City Engineering for capital projects in design, construction, and close-out along with maintaining and implementing district wide construction standards are two additional major components of the position. Other responsibilities include coordination and district representation with the State Office of School Construction and Grants related to reimbursable capital projects.