The Diaz - Tolbert Connection.

Tolbert worked with Diaz in New York City and then followed her to Bridgeport. When Diaz was ousted, Tolbert was interim superintendent. He was then passed over for the Superintendency.

BRIDGEPORT The city's Board of Education turned a page Monday, accepting the resignation of Sonia Diaz Salcedo as superintendent of schools.
It also voted to demote one of her most ardent supporters, board President Maximino Medina Jr., who was replaced by former City Council member Auden C. Grogins.

Salcedo's tenure, which began July 1, 2000, came to an end after the board bought out her contract for $125,000. Although her annual contract of $172,000 had more than six months to run, board members said they would save at least $65,000 in accrued vacation and sick time.
Deputy Supt. of Schools Clarence Tolbert was named interim superintendent while the board continues its search for a permanent schools executive.

Like Salcedo, Tolbert has a doctorate in education from Harvard University. He was her subordinate in a New York City School District when she handpicked him to join her here.
"There are many issues we need to address," he said, speaking to about 200 people assembled in the Aquaculture School. He said the work ahead is "going to take the cooperation of all of us."
The official agreement with Salcedo was unanimously ratified at a regular board meeting, unlike last August, when Salcedo came up on the short end of a 5-to-4 vote to renew her contract.



Top school official demoted by Ramos

SUSAN SILVERS ssilvers@ctpost.comConnecticut Post Online

BRIDGEPORT — Supt. of Schools John J. Ramos has reassigned Clarence W. Tolbert, who preceded him as interim superintendent, lower on the chain of command in a re-shuffling of the city's top school administrators.
In a series of changes approved Monday by the Board of Education, Tolbert, one of two chiefs of staff who reported to Ramos, has been appointed assistant superintendent for elementary education. His salary will be cut to $123,276 from $140,000.
...
Tolbert lost out to Ramos in the search to replace ousted Supt. of Schools Sonia Diaz Salcedo. While he was interim superintendent, from December 2004 through last June, he was paid $152,000.