Schools

Trumbull's Supt. Iassogna Has Left the Building

But he said he'll be around and helping out where needed.

Ralph Iassogna gets a little emotional when it comes to recounting his decades-long career with Trumbull schools, which officially came to an end July 1.

But it's a career, 14 years of it as superintendent of schools, that Iassogna has overseen redistricting, the implementation of all-day kindergarten and the expansion of pre-kindergarten services.

"I leave with a lot of great memories," Iassogna said, seated in his office below the picture that greeted him (a gift from friends) when he started as superintendent.

Iassogna announced his retirement in January. "I had a lot of anguish and trepidation and uncertainty. Each day you come to the realization that you're exiting," he added.

His original career plan did not include superintendent but he tried it out as an interim job and found he liked it.

Iassogna, originally from Bridgeport, taught there for two years, then spent five in Fairfield before taking an assistant principal position in Trumbull.

"When I came to Trumbull, I just liked it here," he said.

"I was always very fortunate: right time, right place," Iassogna added. He had tried for administrative jobs before without success, in a time when he said one was hard to get.

And unlike many superintendents today, Iassogna does not have a doctorate. But he did have a lot of experience under his belt when he became superintendent.

Before that, he had moved up to director of Personnel for Trumbull Schools, where he spent 15 years. Iassogna has always been known for knowing all the school staff, including janitors, secretaries and the teachers.

He credits his career and the success of the school district to all the support staff and parents.

"It takes everybody to do their own fair share. That's been the backbone to our success," the superintendent said. "It's made me very proud and humbled."

Starting Early

His 14 years have spanned redistricting and the creation of the district's early childhood education program, but he most remembers all-day kindergarten, which officially started in September 2012.

The changing rules of education require children to be more prepared, starting as early as kindergarten and preschool.

The Trumbull Early Childhood Education Center is the beginning of that preparation, where students' learning problems can be identified early and addressed.

In the past, students with learning issues struggled longer and were less prepared.

"Years ago, the standards were not as high they are now," Iassogna said.

Keeping class sizes low has also been a priority that helps students as they progress through the school system, the superintendent added.

Trumbull High School

Certainly one of the most contentious school issues today is the ongoing construction at Trumbull High School.

Started in 2006, the school was supposed to be finished earlier but new issues have cropped up each year of construction, such as unanticipated asbestos in places.

Students and teachers complain of faulty heating and cooling and smaller problems such as missing doors and ceilings. The school is up for accreditation in October.

Iassogna said the school's role in the project ended with the approval of building specifications. Now it's on the town side, with the Board of Finance, Town Council and High School Building Committee.

Trumbull High School was built in 1972 and hadn't been updated before 2006, Iassogna said.

A Parting Shot, but No Hard Feelings

In May, Iassogna was honored for his service at a dinner at the Trumbull Marriott.

Then, he and several other people, possibly school officials, including Al Barbarotta of AFB Construction (which is overseeing the high school renovation), were served with alleged ethics violations that have since been rejected by the Ethics Commission.

The town's Internal Auditor Jim Henderson said he filed the complaint, but neither he nor First Selectman Tim Herbst would comment because, once rejected, an ethics complaint is confidential.

Iassogna could not discuss the failed complaint because of confidentiality.

"The five of us were extremely pleased" it was rejected, he said. The Ethics Commission "convincingly rendered their decision: there was no substance to anything that was put on the table.

"We were validated," he said. 

Despite the accustions, Iassogna does not leave with animosity. He said the years seem to have flown by and is grateful for all the support he's received from the school district.

"We've accomplished much through the efforts of many," Iassogna said.

In the meantime, he said he plans to take some time off and spend time with his wife, five children and seven grandchildren, most of whom remain in Connecticut.

Iassogna is being replaced by Asst. Supt. Gary Cialfi.


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