In 2022, New Britain saw the retirement of Schools Superintendent Nancy Sarra and the selection and installation of Anthony Gasper as the new head of the city’s school system.
In April, the Board of Education named Dr. Anthony J. Gasper, Ed.D as the new schools Superintendent, who came to lead the New Britain school district from his former appointment as Superintendent of the Wolcott Public Schools.
His appointment came after Superintendent Nancy Sarra and Assistant Superintendent Michael Foran announced their retirements in January.
There was a wide feeling in the community that Sarra’s retirement came amid expected power politics from the newly re-elected Republican Mayor Erin Stewart, who carried in a Republican supermajority on the City Council and Republican gains on the Board of Education. In fact, a rally was held in February over concerns that Stewart’s Republican machine was attempting to push Sarra out immediately.
Meanwhile, there was frustration with many in the community about the process for selecting Sarra’s successor, with many feeling it was rushed and lacking in public input.
As in every year, there was so much news that the New Britain Progressive covered 2022 that choosing our traditional Top Ten stories of the year is difficult. But the change Schools Superintendent, and what the new leader may bring for years to come, is certainly one of the New Britain Progressive‘s Top Ten Stories of 2022.
