The Danbury Board of Education has chosen Salvatore Pascarella, the superintendent in Old Saybrook, to be the city's new schools superintendent.

Pascarella is 58 years old. He's a native of Long Island who was educated in the Midwest, and began his career as a teacher and administrator in the Midwest. He has been Old Saybrook's superintendent for the past 13 years.

In recent weeks, since being declared the finalist, Pascarella has visited with Danbury teachers, administrators and students, as well as Mayor
Mark Boughton . Generally, he has made a good impression.

He speaks knowledgeably about the issues facing school systems today, from financing to the federal No Child Left Behind law. He has been involved in urban education issues, although Old Saybrook is not urban. He says he was hoping to find a job in a small urban community like Danbury.


Tuesday, Pascarella saw firsthand one of the major problems facing the Danbury school system a lack of school board, parent and community involvement.

This was evident at a community forum in the impressive new auditorium at Broadview Middle School . The forum was well-planned and publicized as a chance to meet the finalist for superintendent. Notices were sent home to parents.


But only 30 people showed up. Among them were only three of the 11 members of the Board of Education.

Parents couldn't take the time to look over the finalist for superintendent? Don't they care? Board members couldn't take the time to come to the Tuesday forum to see how Pascarella interacted with residents?


The board was planning to decide on hiring Pascarella at a meeting Wednesday. The lack of board attendance at the forum showed a lack of respect for Pascarella, a lack of caring for the residents who did show up and a lack of understanding of the importance of the hiring of a new school superintendent.

Pitiful. Simply pitiful.

So cheers for the residents who did attend Tuesday's forum. And cheers for the three board members who attended Joan Hodge , Kathleen Molinaro and Gladys Cooper.

They are all Democrats . Where were the other Democrats? And where were the Republicans?

According to Pascarella, when he arrived in Old Saybrook there were many divisions between and among school board members, school personnel and residents. He says he brought people together, urging them to refocus on what's most important education and students.


There aren't those divisions in Danbury. Taxpayers and city officials support the school system. But there is an apathy problem. Pascarella's task will be to involve parents and, good gracious, elected school board members in the school system.

The city's teachers and administrators work hard to educate Danbury students, and the students work hard to learn. They deserve a community that is actively involved in the school system.