Stamford School Board, Superintendent 'Unable' To Agree On New Contract
STAMFORD, CT — The Stamford Board of Education and Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools Dr. Tamu Lucero "have been unable to mutually agree upon terms for a new contract," according to a joint statement released Wednesday from Board President Jackie Heftman and Vice President Michael Hyman.
The school board officials said that "no vote will take place at this time."
Lucero's current contract goes through June 30, 2026 — it was extended in June 2023.
According to the contract terms, prior to the end of the first year of the contract, which expired June 30, 2024, the board could have voted to amend the contract or provide for a new three-year term commencing July 1, 2024.
The contract states that in the event that the term of the Superintendent's employment is not otherwise extended... or terminated... the Superintendent's employment shall end with the expiration of this contract on June 30, 2026.
Heftman and Hyman went on to say that it's their hope that Lucero "will remain Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools well beyond" June 30, 2026.
"The BOE continues to have complete confidence in Dr. Lucero's leadership and we support the work she and her team are doing—in partnership with our school administrators, teachers, and staff—to ensure every child has access to a high-quality public education," Heftman and Hyman said.
Lucero began her SPS tenure in June 2013 as assistant superintendent - elementary. She was named the superintendent of SPS on April 23, 2019.
Lucero's career in education began in the Columbus Public School District as a third, fourth, and fifth-grade teacher at Franklinton Alternative Elementary School.
She was also principal of Worthington Hills Elementary in the Worthington School District, of Georgian Heights Alternative School and of Windsor Alternative Elementary School.
In recent years, BOE members cited concerns with teacher morale and votes of no confidence against Lucero, as well as a perceived decline in educational standards around the district.
Lucero's current contract started her at a base salary of $307,000 for the first year, with a 2 percent increase in the second year.
