Change is Afoot in Stafford Public Schools

Stafford’s new Superintendent of Schools Scott Sugarman (try saying that five times fast!) is two weeks into the job and moving quickly to help facilitate change in the district beleaguered by budget concerns. At the Monday, July 14, 2025 Board of Education (BOE) meeting, Sugarman told the board members that “a critical eye but growth mindset” was needed. With that in mind, he is working with EASTCONN on a budget office review. In a memo that can explain it better than I can, Sugarman wrote:

“In collaboration with the Stafford Public Schools administration and the Board of

Education, EASTCONN will conduct a high-level review of the Business Office at the

Stafford Public Schools to assess current structure, practices, identify strengths and

areas for improvement, and provide a roadmap of actionable recommendations to

enhance efficiency, transparency, and compliance with best practices in school and

municipal financial management. The estimated value of this assessment is $5000. This

fee is being waived by EASTCONN.”

This is a new offering for EASTCONN, and Stafford will be its first test case, hence the free services. According to Sugarman, it will entail interviews with staff as well as with town stakeholders. You can find a full list of responsibilities and deliverables in the meeting agenda. It concludes with a report and an optional presentation to the BOE, which Sugarman hopes the board will take advantage of.  

BOE member Aaron Hoffman said he thought this was “an opportunity to connect with the town” and that he hopes the town ”buys in” to the process. 

Later, the board went into executive session regarding “Attorney/Client Privileged Communication - Board of Education Health and Dental Insurance.” They did not take any action based on the executive session, but you can probably make an educated guess on the subject matter based on the last Board of Finance meeting.