Mansfield Public Schools Superintendent Peter Dart informed the Board of Education, families, and staff that he intends to resign his position and retire effective June 30, 2025. Mr. Dart, who joined the district as Principal of the former Dorothy C. Goodwin Elementary School in Mansfield in 2018, has served as Superintendent since July 1, 2022. His career in public education has spanned 38 years with a wide variety of teaching and leadership experiences.
In a letter sent to the Board of Education, Mr. Dart says, “Becoming Superintendent in Mansfield has been a dream come true, complete with an engaging Board that has supported me through advocacy, questions, and challenges. After 38 years of public service in education, I am ready for the next chapter, a new journey, and another good story to tell. Yet, it is Mansfield that emboldened my heart and head with experiences and vision of a district that can do right for kids, all kids. A district bold enough to lead by Core Beliefs that recognizes the whole child and the opportunities that we want for our scholars.”
Superintendent Dart took over the leadership at Mansfield after the district broke ground on Mansfield Elementary School, Connecticut’s first net-zero public elementary school. He previously had experience with school building projects including the Barrows STEM Academy in Windham, Two Rivers Magnet Middle School, and the Environmental Sciences Magnet School in Hartford.
Prior to coming to Mansfield, Mr. Dart served as Assistant Superintendent for Talent Management at Hartford Public Schools where he worked with district and school leaders to support 52 schools in developing talent, leadership, professional learning, and equity. He was promoted to this role after serving for four years as the Principal of the Environmental Sciences Magnet School at Mary Hooker serving 600 PreKindergarten to Grade 8 students from 45 towns. Under his leadership, the environmental magnet school was awarded LEED Platinum Certification and the U.S. Department of Ed Green Ribbon, and it earned recognition as a Magnet School of American School of Excellence.
He was also Principal at the Eleanor B. Kennelly School in Hartford, a PreKindergarten through Grade 8 turnaround school where he initiated systemic reforms including early intervention for literacy and numeracy and implemented a School Governance Council to engage parents and families in change.
He was team leader and science curriculum chair at Two Rivers Magnet Middle School in East Hartford, and at William J. Johnston Middle School in Colchester, CT, where he also taught fourth grade.
The Mansfield Board of Education will announce the Superintendent search plans in the coming weeks. Mr. Dart committed to support the transition of a new Superintendent.