News & Updates

The Stamford Board of Education (BOE) has unanimously voted to appoint Dr. Adrian Talley as the next Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools.

A career educator with more than 35 years of experience as a teacher, school administrator, district leader, and superintendent in large, diverse, urban and suburban districts, Dr. Talley will join Stamford Public Schools from Indian Prairie School District 204 (IPSD) in Illinois, where he has been the Superintendent of Schools since July 2020. IPSD is a diverse, high-performing public school district serving more than 26,000 students from Aurora, Bolingbrook, Naperville, and Plainfield.

During his tenure, IPSD developed its first comprehensive strategic plan, strengthened school improvement processes to ensure clearer goal-setting, monitoring, and accountability, increased AP Scholar recognition by 28%, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, and secured voter approval of a $420 million capital bond referendum to enhance safety, infrastructure, and long-term operational efficiency.

“The Board was fortunate to meet with a number of highly qualified candidates, but Dr. Talley stood out from the start as a leader who had driven meaningful, lasting change in school districts with profiles similar to Stamford,” said Board President Andy George. “His commitment to equity and achievement, experience managing complex systems and budgets, and reputation as a relationship builder made him the clear choice to lead Stamford Public Schools.”

“Public education is a community enterprise, and a school system belongs to the community it serves,” said Dr. Talley. “As the next Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools, I am committed to bringing people together around a shared vision to ensure the district achieves measurable, sustainable improvement, particularly in advancing equity, strengthening student outcomes, and maintaining public confidence.”

Immediately prior to joining IPSD, Dr. Talley served as Director of Community Schools (2018-2020) and Executive Director of Student Services (2015-2018) for Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland, one of the 25 largest school districts in the United States serving more than 130,000 students across 208 schools and program sites.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Talley served as Principal Deputy Director and Associate Director of
Education for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), where he oversaw a $1.9 billion budget and supported instructional programs across 181 schools serving 84,000
military-connected students worldwide. He also held multiple leadership roles in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Maryland, including Associate Superintendent, Shared Accountability (2011-2012) and Community Superintendent (2006-2011). As Community Superintendent, he managed 40 schools serving more than 29,000 students. During his tenure, MCPS received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for performance excellence.

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

Dr. Talley’s appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive, nationwide search conducted by Zeal Education Group on behalf of the Board of Education. Zeal engaged 27 highly qualified candidates from 11 different states for the position of Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools, all of whom reflected the qualities highlighted in a leadership profile developed through the community engagement phase in January. From this initial pool of 27 candidates, the Board of Education identified five semifinalists who were interviewed by the BOE in March. The BOE conducted in-person interviews with the finalists earlier this month.

Dr. Talley will begin his tenure on July 1 and will immediately embark on a series of community engagement sessions, with details to be announced in late June.

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2026)—La Junta de Educación de Stamford (BOE) ha votado por unanimidad el nombramiento del Dr. Adrian Talley como próximo superintendente de las Escuelas
Públicas de Stamford.

El Dr. Talley, un profesional de la educación con más de 35 años de experiencia como profesor, administrador escolar, líder de distrito y superintendente en distritos grandes, diversos, urbanos y suburbanos, se incorporará a las Escuelas Públicas de Stamford tras haber trabajado en el Distrito Escolar 204 de Indian Prairie (IPSD) en Illinois, donde ha ocupado el cargo de superintendente de escuelas desde julio de 2020. El IPSD es un distrito escolar público diverso y de alto rendimiento que atiende a más de 26.000 estudiantes de Aurora, Bolingbrook, Naperville y Plainfield.

Durante su gestión, el IPSD desarrolló su primer plan estratégico integral, reforzó los procesos de mejora escolar para asegurar el establecimiento de objetivos más claros, el seguimiento y la rendición de cuentas, aumentó en un 28% el número de estudiantes con el reconocimiento «AP Scholar», superando los niveles previos a la pandemia, y consiguió la aprobación por parte de los votantes de un referéndum sobre un bono de inversión de 420 millones de dólares destinado a mejorar la seguridad, infraestructura y la eficiencia operativa a largo plazo.

«La Junta tuvo la suerte de reunirse con varios candidatos altamente calificados, pero el Dr. Talley destacó desde el principio como un líder que había impulsado cambios significativos y duraderos en distritos escolares con características similares a las de Stamford», afirmó el presidente de la Junta, Andy George. «Su compromiso con la equidad y el rendimiento, su experiencia en la gestión de sistemas y presupuestos complejos, y su reputación como persona capaz de forjar relaciones lo convirtieron en la elección clara para dirigir las Escuelas Públicas de Stamford».

«La educación pública es una empresa comunitaria, y el sistema escolar pertenece a la comunidad a la que presta servicio», afirmó el Dr. Talley. «Como próximo superintendente de las Escuelas Públicas de Stamford, me comprometo a unir a las personas en torno a una visión común para asegurar que el distrito logre una mejora cuantificable y sostenible, especialmente en lo que se refiere a promover la equidad, mejorar los resultados académicos de los estudiantes y mantener la confianza de la ciudadanía».

Justo antes de incorporarse al IPSD, el Dr. Talley ocupó los cargos de director de Escuelas
Comunitarias (2018-2020) y director ejecutivo de Servicios Estudiantiles (2015-2018) en las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Prince George, en Maryland, uno de los 25 distritos escolares más grandes de Estados Unidos, que atiende a más de 130.000 estudiantes en 208 escuelas y centros de programas.

A principios de su carrera, el Dr. Talley ocupó el cargo de subdirector principal y director adjunto de Educación de la Agencia de Educación de Departamento de Defensa (DoDEA), donde supervisó un presupuesto de 1.900 millones de dólares y prestó apoyo a los programas educativos de 181 escuelas que atendían a 84.000 estudiantes vinculados al ejército en todo el mundo. También ocupó diversos puestos de liderazgo en las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Montgomery (MCPS) en Maryland, entre ellos el de superintendente adjunto de Responsabilidad Compartida (2011-2012) y
superintendente de la comunidad (2006-2011). Como superintendente de la comunidad, gestionó 40 escuelas que atendían a más de 29.000 estudiantes. Durante su mandato, las MCPS recibieron el Premio Nacional de Calidad Malcolm Baldrige por su excelencia en el desempeño.

El Dr. Talley obtuvo un Doctorado en Educación, en Administración y Política Educativa por la Universidad George Washington, un Máster en Administración de la Educación Superior por el Boston College y una Licenciatura en Educación Primaria por la Universidad de Virginia.

El nombramiento del Dr. Talley es la culminación de una exhaustiva selección a nivel nacional llevada a cabo por Zeal Education Group en n ombre de la Junta de Educación. Zeal seleccionó a 27 candidatos altamente calificados de 11 estados diferentes para el puesto de superintendente de las Escuelas Públicas de Stamford, todos los cuales reflejaban las cualidades destacadas en un perfil de liderazgo elaborado durante la fase de participación de la comunidad celebrada en enero. De este grupo inicial de 27 candidatos, la Junta de Educación seleccionó a cinco semifinalistas que fueron entrevistados por la Junta en marzo. La Junta de Educación realizó entrevistas presenciales con los
finalistas a principios de este mes.

El Dr. Talley asumirá su cargo el 1 de julio y comenzará de inmediato una serie de sesiones de participación con la comunidad, cuyos detalles se darán a conocer a finales de junio.

 

Dear Stamford Community: 

I am writing to provide an update on the Superintendent search.

Following a four-week national recruitment effort, Zeal Education Group engaged 27 highly qualified candidates for the position of Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools. This diverse and competitive pool included individuals from 11 states and reflected the qualities highlighted in the leadership profile developed through the community engagement phase in January. 

From this initial pool of 27 candidates, the Board of Education has identified six semi finalists who will be interviewed later this month. In mid-April, the Board will conduct in-person interviews with up to three finalists. Our goal is to appoint a new Superintendent of Schools at the Board’s Regular Meeting on April 28, 2026. 

Finalists will undergo a rigorous and comprehensive vetting process, including a third-party background check facilitated by Zeal Education Group.

The Board of Education is very pleased with the overall quality of the applicant pool, and we are optimistic that the next Superintendent of Schools will emerge from the six semi finalists selected for further consideration.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support. 

 

Sincerely, 

Andy George
President, Board of Education

Dear Stamford Community: 

I am writing to provide an update on the search for a new Superintendent of Schools.

Between January 5 and January 22, Zeal Education Group facilitated 74 meetings with teachers, staff, parents, students, Board of Education members, City leaders, and members of the larger community to gather input on the qualities stakeholders would like to see in the district’s next leader. The feedback collected through this extensive engagement process was used to develop a comprehensive Leadership Profile that will guide the recruitment and evaluation of candidates for Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools.

On February 3, representatives from Zeal Education Group presented the Leadership Profile to the Board of Education during a special meeting at the Government Center. If you were unable to attend, you may watch a recording of the meeting or view the slide presentation.

The job posting for Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools is now live and will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on March 8, 2026. During this period, Zeal will actively recruit and screen candidates to develop a slate of approximately 8-10 candidates for the Board’s consideration. From that group, 5-7 semi-finalists will be selected to participate in interviews with the Board of Education in late March. 

In mid-April, the Board will conduct in-person interviews with 2-3 finalists. The Board’s goal is to appoint the new Superintendent of Schools at its Regular Meeting on April 28, 2026. 

Please click here to read a letter from Zeal Education Group that contains additional information about the Leadership Profile and the recruitment and selection process.  

Thank you for your continued engagement and support. 

 

Sincerely, 

Andy George
President, Board of Education

 

The Stamford Board of Education is partnering with Zeal Education Group in the search for the next Superintendent of Schools. In addition to numerous in-person and virtual input meetings for parents, staff, students, and the community, you may also share your input online via ThoughtExchange. 

ThoughtExchange is a way for everyone to share their views honestly and anonymously, and to rate the thoughts of others in the community. The survey is available in dozens of languages, including Spanish, Haitian-Creole, Ukrainian, and more. 

As you participate in ThoughtExchange, it's important to understand:

• ThoughtExchange is anonymous. 
• The input you provide will be recorded anonymously exactly as you entered it.
• Your anonymous responses may be shared with other participants.  

Information gathered through ThoughtExchange will be used to create a Leadership Profile that will guide the recruitment and selection of the next Superintendent. 

Thank you for your participation. 

Stamford Board of Education 

 

Dear SPS Community,

As 2025 draws to a close, we would like to thank our teachers, administrators, staff, and families for their continued commitment to Stamford Public Schools. We are deeply grateful to our educators and staff for their dedication to our students and to ensuring every child has access to an education that cultivates productive habits of mind, body, and heart. To our families, thank you for entrusting Stamford Public Schools with your children and for being strong partners in their education.

The new year will bring an important transition as we prepare to recruit, hire, and onboard the next Superintendent of Schools. In January, Zeal Education Group will conduct a series of in-person and virtual meetings with staff, families, students, community partners, union leaders, Board of Education members, and the community-at-large. Feedback gathered through this process will be used to develop a leadership profile to guide the Superintendent search. The opportunities for feedback will take place between January 12 and January 23. Please see here for a letter from Zeal Education Group with additional details.

January also marks the beginning of budget season in Stamford. Dr. Lucero and her team are finalizing the Superintendent’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2027. The Superintendent’s Proposed Budget will be presented to the BOE and discussed at a series of BOE meetings beginning Tuesday, January 13. We will share more information about the proposed budget and opportunities for engagement in the weeks ahead.

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7 at 7:00 p.m. Agendas and supporting materials are posted online at least 24 hours in advance of each meeting.

On behalf of the Board of Education, thank you for being part of the Stamford Public Schools community. We wish you and your loved ones a restful winter break and a happy, healthy New Year.

 

Sincerely,

Andy George
President, Stamford Board of Education