To New Milford Board of Education:

We, the undersigned parents of children who are attending or have attended New Milford Public Schools, and community members who share similar concerns, have composed this letter to express our dissatisfaction and vote of no confidence with the current Superintendent, Alisha DiCorpo.

The undersigned petitioners believe that the Superintendent has acted inefficiently, incompetently, and is a detriment to the New Milford Public School system.

Based on the reasons below, we the undersigned are asking for a “Vote of No Confidence” in Ms. DiCorpo and her ability to successfully oversee the New Milford Public School system and request that she resign or be let go effective immediately. 

Firstly, during Ms. DiCorpo’s 18-month tenure we have lost:

Director of Facilities

IT Director

HR Director

NMHS Principal

SMS Principal

Interim Assistant Superintendent

Interim SMS Principal

SMS Assistant Principal #1

SMS Assistant Principal #2

NMHS Principal #2

Many of these positions have left mid-year. This is not typical nor standard and is completely unacceptable. Our district is losing qualified and experienced staff. After the difficulties we have experienced during COVID, and so many leadership positions leaving, our community cannot recover and see positive change in our education system. It is also imperative that during this time of ever-changing fluidity with the highest rate of mental illness that our children not only have role models of good faith but work ethic as well.  Which is impossible if our administrators and leaders are running away or being forced out by Alisha DiCorpo. 

Secondly, the Connecticut Board of Education mandates that it is the legal responsibility of the district’s Board of Education to provide transportation. In addition, the New Milford Board of Education bylaws state that the Superintendent is the Chief Executive Officer of the board. As such, Ms. DiCorpo has completely failed in her legal duty:

 “11. Provisions for reasonable and desirable student transportation to school including students attending charter schools and magnet schools, (10-220)(10-220C); to state vocational and state vocational agricultural (10-97), and equivalent transportation for students in grades k-12 attending nonpublic nonprofit schools within school district boundaries when a majority of such students attending the nonprofit nonpublic schools are residents of Connecticut (10-281);” 

This is unacceptable for the hardworking people of New Milford who are going to work late or having to make inconvenient, costly accommodations for their children. Worse yet, the very same people who are making accommodations where the administration has failed are also being ignored when they reach out for information.

The New Milford Board of Education bylaws also state that it will “seek to facilitate ongoing communication between the board and students, staff, parents and all elements of the community.” Once again, as the Chief Executive Officer, Alisha DiCorpo has completely neglected many of her duties as the Superintendent.  One of the finest examples of the neglect of her duties is when the district rolled out PowerSchool and she removed her email from the website. In addition, it is literally impossible to leave a message for the Superintendent as she does not have an extension listed and if you do not know that Pat is her secretary, one would not know to leave a message with her voicemail.  As the head of the New Milford Public Schools that is complete neglect of duty, cowardice, and not reflective of this community’s values. As if to add insult to injury it appears that Ms. DiCorpo only feels obligated to respond when there are others carbon copied on an email, particularly when the other person replies first. 

The Board of Education bylaws also state that the board will do what is right rather than what is popular. It also states that the “goal is to improve the education of our children and advocate for them in their best interests. Board members must be working effectively together and with others in the community to successfully reach this goal.” 

In her 18 months as Superintendent, we have lost 10 administrative positions, Ms. DiCorpo has completely failed in her legal duties to provide transportation for some students and has completely neglected her responsibility to the students and community.  Ms. DiCorpo has proven that she is unfit, incompetent and has displayed dereliction of duties to our district. Alisha DiCorpo is not the right fit for this community.  

It is for these reasons that this community is asking for the board to dismiss Ms. Alisha DiCorpo or that she resigns of her own accord. If the board fails to act on the community’s request as elected officials, this community will reach out to the state and seek dissolvement of the board.