The School Facilities Naming Committee Ballot
This form is used for individuals to input their qualifications and to vote regarding the proposed school property naming listed below.
A group of New Haven Public School stakeholders has asked that the Cooperative Arts & Humanities Magnet High School be named in honor of Dr. Gerald N. Tirozzi.
If a major portion of a school building or school grounds (media center, auditorium gymnasium, field, etc.) is proposed to be named after an individual, that person shall have attained local or national prominence via significant contributions in any field of endeavor. Such contributions or the significance of their place in history shall be clearly established beyond the generation of the contribution. An individual so recognized shall no longer be active in his/her career. Further, the individual for whom a portion of a school building or school grounds is to be named must be shown to have broad-based, long-term impact to the school district community.
Below is a Bio Sketch of r. Gerald N. Tirozzi. for your review.
Dr. Gerald N. Tirozzi (1937–2020)
OVERVIEW
Dr. Gerald N. Tirozzi was a native son of Connecticut and a nationally recognized leader in education reform whose career spanned more than five decades. He began as a science teacher in West Haven in 1959, rose through the ranks of the New Haven Public Schools as a guidance counselor, principal, and Superintendent of Schools (1977–1983), and went on to
serve the state and nation at the highest levels of educational leadership. He passed away on November 1, 2020, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
SERVICE TO NEW HAVEN
As Superintendent of New Haven Public Schools from 1977 to 1983, Dr. Tirozzi built his career from within the district, having previously served as a teacher, guidance counselor, and principal in New Haven schools. During his tenure as superintendent, he forged a groundbreaking partnership between the district and Yale University, co-launching the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute in 1978—a nationally recognized model for professional development that paired public school teachers with university faculty to strengthen curriculum in English, history, and the arts. This partnership brought together the President
of Yale, the Mayor of New Haven, and the Superintendent on a shared stage for the first time in the city’s memory, signaling a new era of institutional collaboration.
STATE AND NATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Connecticut Commissioner of Education (1983–1991): Appointed the same day the federal report A Nation at Risk was released, Dr. Tirozzi led Connecticut’s education reform response. He championed the landmark Education Enhancement Act of 1986, which dramatically raised teacher salaries (from 16th to 2nd nationally) while imposing rigorous new licensing standards. He introduced the Connecticut Mastery Test and authored a 1988 report on school segregation that spurred statewide interdistrict desegregation efforts. U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education (1996–1999): Appointed by President Clinton, Dr.
Tirozzi oversaw 42 federal education programs and an $11 billion budget, redesigning federal programs to better serve disadvantaged students and promote school-level flexibility under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Executive Director, NASSP (1999–2011): Led the National Association of Secondary School Principals, representing over 46,000 school leaders in 50+ nations, advocating for principal quality, equity, and research-based school reform.
EDUCATION AND HONORS
Ph.D., Educational Administration, Michigan State University; M.A., Guidance and Counseling, Southern Connecticut State University; B.S., Elementary Education, Southern Connecticut State University. Honors include the Michigan State University Distinguished Alumni Award; honorary doctorates from Nova Southeastern University and Quinnipiac College; recognition from the Connecticut Legislature, the Connecticut NAACP, the
Southwestern Connecticut Urban League, and the National Coalition of Title I Parents. He was named an honorary lifetime member of the National PTA.
LEGACY AND RATIONALE
Dr. Tirozzi’s career is a testament to the power of public education. He grew up in
Connecticut, taught in its classrooms, led its largest urban district, reformed its state education system, and shaped national policy—always with a deep commitment to equity, teacher quality, and the students in the most underserved communities. His published works, including Stop the School Bus: Getting Education Reform Back on Track (2013),
reflect a lifetime of principled advocacy for public schools. Naming a New Haven school in his honor would recognize a leader who began his journey in these very halls and went on to transform education at every level of American public life
It has been proposed that, to honor Dr. Gerald N. Tirozzi, Cooperative Arts & Humanities Magnet High School be named for him. be named for him.
Eligibility to Vote:
- Currently working in the New Haven district or a district retiree.
- 18 years or older
Please follow the required guidelines below and provide all the required information to submit your nomination.
Thank you for participating.
Policy Service
The Connecticut Reference Manual
of School Board Policies, Regulations, and Bylaws
7551
New Construction
Naming Facilities
The naming of school buildings, major portions of buildings, or school grounds is the responsibility of the Board of Education. In fulfilling this responsibility, the Board will make every effort to respect community preferences. Such names should be clearly identifying, widely known, and recognized.
It is the policy of the Board to name school buildings as close as possible to the time construction begins in order to lessen the confusion about the new schools.
When naming new buildings, major portions of buildings, or school grounds, the Board shall formally identify the need for a naming process for the identified school locations, as well as criteria it wishes to be considered in the process.
When naming a school building, major portions of school buildings, or school grounds the Board shall direct the Superintendent to establish a committee, subject to Board approval, comprised of the Superintendent or designee, the building Principal, faculty member, parents, community members, and, if appropriate, students to consider name recommendations for consideration by the Board. Opportunities for public input must be made available prior to the committee's recommendation to the Board. Such opportunities for public input must be publicly announced in newspapers and on the District website.
When naming new buildings, the committee shall have representation by the community members that is representative of the entire school district. The committee shall propose a list of names to the school board of not more than five (5) names for Board consideration.
If a major portion of a school building or school grounds (media center, auditorium gymnasium, field, etc.) is proposed to be named after an individual, that person shall have attained local or national prominence via significant contributions in any field of endeavor. Such contributions or the significance of their place in history shall be clearly established beyond the generation of the contribution. Individuals so recognized shall no longer be active in his/her career. Further, the individual for whom a portion of a school building or school grounds is to be named must be shown to have broad-based, long-term impact to the school district community.
Collections of works, memorials, or other major gifts to the school district may be acknowledged and named by individual schools, subject to the district's policy and procedures for accepting donations. Prior to accepting such donations and naming, a plan for maintenance and upkeep must be identified and presented to the school Board.
The Board retains the right to make final determination in the naming of buildings, major portions of school buildings, or school grounds. This policy not withstanding, it is the intent of the Board that naming of portions of the building and school grounds occur infrequently and on a limited based.
