CAPSS Announces 2014 Presidential Award and Emeritus Award Honorees

West Hartford, Conn. (June 6, 2014) – The Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), a statewide nonprofit educational administration organization which represents public school superintendents, assistant superintendents and other educational leaders across the state, today recognized four educational leaders for the contributions they have made to CAPSS and the field of educational leadership. 

“We are pleased to recognize our members for the outstanding contributions they have made to their schools, their communities and to CAPSS during their careers,” Joseph Cirasuolo, Executive Director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), said. “Each of this year’s honorees has a history of effecting positive and lasting change in their district(s) and should be commended for a lifetime of outstanding service.”

The 2014 CAPSS Presidential Award was presented to Dr. Fran Rabinowitz in recognition of her more than 40 years serving the students of Connecticut.  Dr. Rabinowitz has spent more than half of her career in Bridgeport, where she has held a number of positions and consistently fostered high levels of student achievement and supported her fellow leaders.

“What distinguishes Fran is her passion, her intelligence, her knowhow – and her fundamental belief in the worth and ability of every child,” Dr. Elizabeth Feser, Superintendent of Milford Public Schools and President of the CAPSS Board of Directors, who presented Dr. Rabinowitz with her award, noted.

Two retired superintendents were recognized with Emeritus Awards for the special contributions they made to CAPSS during their tenure as active members and for the contributions they made to the field of educational leadership.  Emeritus Award recipients include Dr. Mary Jo Kramer and Dr. Frank Sippy.  In recognition of their extensive contributions to the organization, Dr. Mary Jo Kramer and Dr. Frank Sippy were presented with lifetime membership to CAPSS.

Dr. Mary Jo Kramer served as a superintendent for 20 years in three different districts in Connecticut.  She is passionately committed to the education of children, and throughout her career has sought to insure a quality education for every child.  She established all-day kindergarten programs and HOT schools (Higher Order Thinking).  She served on the Board of Directors of the Aquaculture Foundation in Bridgeport which helped develop the Bridgeport Aquaculture School from its beginning, which afforded students the opportunity to learn marine sciences using Long Island sound as the classroom.  She was a champion of the arts and a proponent of early childhood education and services.  She was a co-founder of Milford Kids Count, whose mission is to develop, enhance and promote the educational, social and emotional well-being of children from birth to age five so they enter kindergarten ready to learn.  She was also the original founder of Milford’s Promise in 1997 responding to a national call to action from General Collin Powell to make youth a national priority.

Dr. Kramer was a leader among leaders.  She was co-founder of the Connecticut Superintendents’ Network, which is led by the Connecticut Center for School Change. 

Currently, Dr. Kramer is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Southern CT State University.  She is also an Executive Consultant for the American Association of School Administrator’s (AASA) Center for System Leadership.  She also consults for ABC Education Consultants on curriculum development,  continues to publish national articles,  and gives presentations to state, regional and national audiences.

During the June 6th Board of Directors meeting at which the awards were presented it was announced that Dr. Frank Baran, Superintendent of Woodstock Public Schools, will serve as the new CAPSS President, starting July 1, 2014. 

About The Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents:
The Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), based in West Hartford, CT, has been the voice of superintendents of schools in Connecticut for 106 years.  The mission of the CAPSS is to lead the continuous improvement of public education for all students by advocating public policy for children and by developing and supporting executive school leaders.  To learn more, visit www.capss.org.