August 23, 2012
School Year Sees Endings and Beginnings
Next week, Colchester Public Schools will be back in session for another school year. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one immense change to our school system this year, and that is the departure of Superintendent Karen Loiselle Goodwin.
There have been many people who have contributed a lot to Colchester over the years through service as an elected official, employee, or in another capacity. We appreciate and celebrate all they have done, but we also recognize that only a select few have helped to guide, shape, and lead our community. Superintendent Karen Loiselle Goodwin is one of those select few.
We were all hit with a variety of emotions when we heard she was leaving. Of course, we were disappointed to lose such a remarkable person to lead our schools but we were also happy for the new opportunity she has to end her career working directly with students in a smaller school. Although there is satisfaction in helping lots of people at once, sometimes making a difference one person at a time is even more rewarding.
Karen has given many years of service to Colchester in a variety of roles including Superintendent. Her steadfast stewardship has been an inspiration to many and we all recognize the hard work she has given us. And let’s face it, Colchester can be a demanding community. We are frugal, but still expect excellence. We are patient, but want results. We can be content, but still strive for more achievements.
Karen’s dedication to ensuring that every Colchester student has a good education is something the entire community knows and appreciates. We put an immense amount of trust in Karen and the school system to properly educate students and work with us to prepare our children for life. Karen has always lived up to that level of trust and has created a strong bond between herself, the staff, parents, and students. Time and time again, the results speak for themselves.
Although Karen’s departure was surprising, it was not unplanned for. Superintendent Designee Jeff Mathieu has some big shoes to fill, but he is more than up to the challenge. I look forward to working well with Jeff as I did with Karen.
It is times like these that we are reminded that although Colchester has seen amazing contributors such as Karen, we are shaped by much more than a single person. Someone once told me that the sign of a good leader is when they can leave their position and the organization still excels. Karen has achieved this and the transition to a new leader will foster continued excellence in our school system.
On behalf of the Town of Colchester, I want to thank Karen for all her hard work and wish her nothing but enjoyment, fulfillment, and happiness wherever her new path takes her.
- Gregg Schuster
First Selectman
Previous Selectman Notes can be viewed at
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