HSC’s Turnaround Pilot Moves On

A trailblazing teacher who led turnaround efforts at High School in the Community is leaving New Haven for Waterbury.

HSC Building Leader Matthew Brown’s resignation became official on Monday night, when the Board of Education approved New Haven Public Schools staff changes.

“I know every student I have talked to has been sad to see him go. He’s great at teaching us to be better in life — more mature and everything,” said board student representative Anthony Fiore, who attends HSC.

Brown is joining Waterbury Public Schools as their new chief turnaround officer focused on a set of schools that need significant help.

In the five years Brown served in HSC’s principal-like building leader role, the school was able to double its graduation rate from below 50 percent to almost all students leaving with a diploma. The secret was focusing on a few key goals, like listening to students and easing students’ transition from into ninth grade.

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is of course that it takes a strong team continually focused on a few key leverage points to make meaningful and sustainable change happen. Lucky for us we’ve got a great team at HSC already,” Brown said by email.

HSC is currently New Haven’s only teacher-run public school. Brown was also a social studies teacher at the school.

Prior to his stint at HSC, Brown led a social-justice-focused school in Brooklyn.

“I remain very committed to the progress of our district. My family lives in New Haven and we have three children in the public schools here. So I look forward to continuing to serve the district in whatever way I can as a parent,” Brown said.

Other teachers involved in leading the turnaround efforts will remain at the school and take over his responsibilities, Brown said.

“I am going to miss Mr. Matthew Brown,” said Superintendent Iline Tracey.

Board member Edward Joyner encouraged Brown to ​“keep your eye on our vacancies in case you would like to reapply and come back.”

Joyner and Tracey had similar words of praise for retiring guidance counselor Thomas Burns.

At the same time the district lost Brown and Burns, James Hillhouse High School gained Denise Charles as an assistant principal. Charles has worked as an educator for 20 years, including 15 years in Connecticut. She currently works as a sixth grade teacher and will switch over to her new position when the district can fill her former role.

“I can’t wait to get started,” Charles told the board. ​“It’s something I have longed to do. I love helping teachers and growing students.”