The message below was sent to Middletown Public Schools employees and families on Tuesday, April 22, 2025; it can also be found via Google Docs by clicking here.
Dear Middletown Public Schools Community,
It is with profound sadness that I share the sudden and heartbreaking loss of our colleague and friend, Dr. Stacey McCann, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. In times like these, words often fall short of capturing the depth of our collective grief.
Dr. McCann was an extraordinary educator whose passion for her work was both inspiring and contagious. She began each day with seemingly boundless energy and a conviction that all students can and will succeed. You may recall her often saying, “We are in service of schools.” This wasn’t just a phrase for Dr. McCann; rather, it was a guiding principle that shaped her work.
She encouraged all of us to step out of our offices and into our schools, where the real work of teaching and learning unfolds each and every day. Her leadership was rooted in presence, connection, and purpose. More than a colleague, Dr. McCann was a friend, a fierce advocate, and a believer in all that is good and possible. Her loss will be felt across our community, in different ways and for a long time to come.
As we face this loss together, let us honor Dr. McCann’s memory by turning our focus to the students, our shared purpose and greatest inspiration. They are what bring us together, drive us forward, and embody the very hope and possibility that Dr. McCann championed.
In the coming days, we will share information about memorial services and opportunities to honor Dr. McCann’s life and legacy. For now, I ask that you keep her family in your thoughts and continue the important work she was so passionate about.
Sincerely,
Dr. Alberto Vázquez Matos
Superintendent of Schools