Farmington names Jess M. Giannini superintendent after eight-month search
At a special meeting on Monday, October 27, 2025, the Farmington Board of Education voted to appoint Jess M. Giannini as superintendent for a three-year term beginning January 5, 2026, and authorized the chair to execute the employment contract. The meeting opened at 7:02 p.m. with a motion to enter executive session under Conn. Gen. Stat. §1-225(a) and §1-200(6)(A) for discussion concerning the appointment; the Board returned to public session at 7:19 p.m. and acted under §10-157 to make the appointment. (Meeting video. Statutes: §1-225, §1-200(6)(A), §10-157.)
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Board members thanked CABE Search Services consultants Dr. Mary Broderick and Dr. Jack Reynolds for guiding an eight-month process that began last spring. Interim Superintendent Kathleen C. Greider, who retired in June after serving as superintendent from 2009 to 2025, was recognized for providing continuity through January 4, 2026. (District announcement.)
Chair remarks noted that this was the Board’s first superintendent appointment in 16 years—“only the fourth in about 45 years.” Expressions of support came from members including Nadine, James, and Andrea, who served on the negotiations committee.
Town Council Chair Joseph Capodiferro—unable to remain due to a prior commitment—sent congratulations and pledged collaboration with the incoming superintendent. (Town chair reference: Town Council biographies.)
In remarks after the vote, Giannini thanked the Board, CABE consultants, Greider, and his family—wife Stacy and daughters Ellie and Claire—and framed his entry with a familiar Druckerism: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” He praised Farmington’s focus on continuous improvement and on ensuring every student is “known and valued,” and nodded to colleagues from Avon Public Schools, where he has served as assistant superintendent, principal, and teacher. (Avon role: Avon Public Schools—Teaching & Learning.)
The Board’s procedure adhered to Freedom of Information Act requirements: convene in public, vote to enter an executive session for a permitted purpose, re-enter the public session for action and a recorded vote—steps cited aloud with the relevant sections. (FOI guide.)
Key actions and timestamps (from the public session):
- 7:02 p.m. — Motion to enter executive session under §1-225(a) / §1-200(6)(A) (appointment discussion).
- 7:19 p.m. — Motion to return to public session.
- Vote — Appointment of Jess M. Giannini, term Jan 5, 2026 – Jan 4, 2029; chair authorized to sign contract under §10-157.
- Adjournment — Following remarks and recognitions. (Meeting video; District announcement.)
For families, staff, and taxpayers, the meaning is clear: a leadership handoff with lead time, a stated commitment to collaboration, and continuity through the mid-year transition. The policy agenda and contract details will surface at subsequent meetings; for now, the Board has its superintendent, and the superintendent has his mandate. 🎓
About the Author
Jack Beckett writes for The Farmington Mercury. He drinks coffee like it’s a public-records request—bottomless, patient, and occasionally bitter—and files stories that start with facts and end with your inbox a little smarter.
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This article, “Farmington Board Appoints Jess M. Giannini Superintendent, Term Begins January 5, 2026,” by Jack Beckett is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
“Farmington Board Appoints Jess M. Giannini Superintendent, Term Begins January 5, 2026”
by Jack Beckett, The Farmington Mercury (CC BY-ND 4.0)