Schools Superintendent Dan Brenner officially notified the Board of Education on Wednesday that he’ll be resigning to take up a position as head of the United Nations International School in New York City.
Brenner said his resignation would take place in 90 days (which is Aug. 28) or at some other “mutually agreed upon date between the board and myself” to be determined later.
In his letter, Brenner wrote:
Finally, there has been much speculation, since Tuesday when I announced my intention to resign, as to the motivating factors in my decision. I can assure you that no individual or individuals “chased me out” nor am I leaving because I have been mistreated in anyway or by anyone. Instead, I was recruited by a search firm representing the United Nations International School in Manhattan to become their next executive director. After much thought I concluded that this position was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that I could not pass up. It is for that I reason that I am tendering my resignation.
Brenner thanked Board of Education members for acting with good faith for the best interests of the students and also “the countless number of kind spirited, thoughtful, well intentioned community members who have supported my administration. We have been true partners […]”
He also praised the central office staff, including the managers (most of which he hired). “I know as I leave, the district is in excellent hands.”
Brenner’s Next Job: United Nations International School
Brenner’s new job will be as “executive director” of the United Nations International School, founded in 1947 under the auspices of the United Nations and located in Manhattan. The 1,600 students at the “coeducational, college-preparatory day school” range from pre-kindergarteners through high school seniors.
Photo from the United Nations International School website
The United Nations International School, on the East River
The school serves children of U.N. diplomats, employees and others (about 40 to 50 percent) with no other connection to the United Nations. The school is in the Kips Bay section of lower Manhattan about 20 blocks south of the United Nations headquarters and also on the shore of the East River.
Students from more than 110 nations attend UNIS and speak 90 languages. Although the primary instructional language is English, ” it is not unusual to see students switching among languages in a casual conversation in the hallways and at lunch,” according to an online pamphlet (or “position statement”) for the executive director search posted on the school’s website.
The Secretary General of the United Nations appoints the chairman of the school’s Board of Trustees and has a role in the appointment of other board members. Some of the teaching staff is funded by various governments, including France and Spain.
UNIS was “a founding school” in the International Baccalaureate program, according to the pamphlet. (In this area there are IB programs for high school students at Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk, Stamford High School and the Stanwich School in Greenwich.)
According to the online pamphlet, the school was looking for candidates who could help organize and better document the curriculum so that students would make smoother transitions from grade to grade. The school building is aging, and the director will deal with maintenance projects in upcoming months.
The pamphlet also says the school wants:
a leader who is visible in the community, present, articulate about and involved in the daily operations of the School community. Transparency, inclusivity, and connections to the entire community — students, faculty and staff, parents, alumni, the United Nations, and other external constituents — will be critical factors for success. Gravitas, combined with warmth and empathy, are sought in the next ED. Unquestioned integrity and clear communication practices are important personal qualities and skills sought in the next Executive Director.
The pamphlet said the school was looking to hire a new executive director in July 2019 — next year — but “reserves the possibility of making a July 2018 appointment should a qualified candidate be identified and available.” The school’s website said it wanted an executive director for the 2018-2019 academic year “if possible.”
Letter: Full Text
Here’s the full text of the letter to the Board of Education:
Dear Members of the Board of Education:
Please accept this written communication as my formal letter of resignation from my position as Superintendent of the Darien Public Schools effective 90 days from this date or on a mutually agreed upon date between the Board and myself to be determined at a later time.
I want to thank members of this Board who had the good faith to hire me three years ago, including Katie Stein who was the Chair of the Search Committee, Betsy Hagerty-Ross who was the Board Chair and Trustees Christa McNamara, David Dineen, and Michael Burke.
I have been blessed with supportive Board members throughout my tenure. We have had many spirited, productive conversations, as we acted collectively in the best interests of the children we serve. I want to thank the three excellent Board Chairs, Betsy Hagerty-Ross, Michael Harman and Tara Ochman who worked side by side with me as we faced the routine and sometimes not routine school issues. Without them our goals could not have been achieved.
I also want to thank the countless number of kind spirited, thoughtful, well intentioned community members who have supported my administration. We have been true partners, a key trait for high powered school districts to work effectively.
When I arrived three years ago, I had the opportunity to build a central office staff which I am proud to say is the envy of any school district. I know as I leave, the District is in excellent hands.
Finally, there has been much speculation, since Tuesday when I announced my intention to resign, as to the motivating factors in my decision. I can assure you that no individual or individuals “chased me out” nor am I leaving because I have been mistreated in anyway or by anyone. Instead, I was recruited by a search firm representing the United Nations International School in Manhattan to become their next Executive Director. After much thought I concluded that this position was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that I could not pass up.
It is for that I reason that I am tendering my resignation.
Thank you again for all of your support and I wish you and the entire community only the best in the future.
Sincerely,
Dan Brenner