Hartford city Board of Education members believe they’ve found the right person to tackle the steep fiscal and educational challenges of operating the Hartford Public Schools.
At a Tuesday night meeting at the Fox School in the South End, the board voted to hire Dr. Andrae Townsel, 41, as superintendent. Chosen from among 40 candidates with the help of Texas-based JG Consulting, Townsel is currently superintendent of the Calvert County, Maryland public schools.
Townsel’s bio says the Calvert schools moved up the state rankings since he took over in 2022. Before that, he achieved success with the schools in Benton Harbor, Michigan, which, under his leadership, emerged from years of deficit spending—a challenge he now faces in Hartford.
Townsel says he’s determined to get the most out of every dollar spent as he operates with a budget deficit: “The goal is the academic return on investment. Every dollar we spend for young people, we have to see something from that. So, if we get an academic return, that’s what you advocate for.”
The former Howard University football player is credited for his motivational skills. He implores students and staff to live by a trademark challenge: “Set the bar. Meet the bar. Exceed the bar. Raise the bar.”
“I made that at graduate school, when I was working on my doctorate, even for my own personal development,” says Townsel. “My goal was to work harder on myself than I do on the job… I tell the young people, ‘Work harder on yourself than you do on that Roblox game. Work harder on yourself than you do doodling and drawing. Just work hard on you and the rest of your life is the best of your life.’”
Board of Ed members say they appreciate Townsel’s track record and his experience, which has touched all levels of K-12 education.
Board Vice Chair Francoise Deristel-Leger says, “What I really liked that he said was that he’s not here to reinvent the wheel, but he’s here to make the wheel roll. So, he’s not here to change Hartford, he’s here to see what’s needed and to get the work done… so that Hartford Public Schools can be better.”
Townsel’s starting date on the job has not been announced, as details of his contract are being negotiated. He replaces Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, who spent eight years on the job and announced her intention to depart in January. Her last day will be Aug. 29, according to school officials.
While wishing Townsel well, Calvert County school board President Jana Post wrote to the school community on Wednesday, saying, “it is unfortunate that this news was not shared directly with staff and stakeholders prior to its public release.”