Who We Are
C.E.S. offers an exceptional and proven approach to help districts identify and hire Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Principals, and Central Office staff. Our team is deeply committed to the success of schools, combining local expertise with a nationwide reach to ensure the best candidates are matched with your district.
Unlike other search firms, we:
- Gather input from the community through online surveys and face-to-face focus groups.
- Actively recruit top candidates, even those not currently seeking new positions.
- Leverage a vast database of over 31,000 administrators, including 10,000+ superintendents.
- Use social media and professional networks to reach a broad audience.
- Provide ongoing support throughout the year to ensure a smooth transition.
Download our comprehensive brochure for more details on how we can support your district's leadership search.
Current Searches
Bloomfield Public Schools
Bloomfield Superintendent Applications
Now Closed
Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in the Bloomfield Superintendent position. The application period is now closed. We appreciate all applicants for their time and consideration.
For any inquiries, please contact us at executivesearches@cestrumbull.org.
“The professionalism, thoroughness and support we received from our consultants through the entire search process truly exceeded our board’s expectations.”
Samantha Mannion, New Fairfield Board of Education
We are committed to your success.
If you have any questions or would like to explore how we can assist your district,
please email executivesearches@cestrumbull.org or call 203-365-8801
Our Approach
We at C.E.S. know that selecting a superintendent is one of the most important responsibilities a Board of Education undertakes. For this reason, we have developed a comprehensive, four-phase approach to executive searches.
Phase I: Research
The first step in hiring a new leader is to identify the attributes that leader must possess in order to be successful in a specific district. CES has created and used a protocol for research to develop a profile of attributes for a new superintendent. Our goal is to establish the characteristics that will guide a district's search.
Phase II: Recruitment
Our team utilizes an unparalleled database of nearly 13,000 emails of current administrators in the Northeast to find candidates that meet the unique needs of the school district. CES has been serving Connecticut's school districts in Fairfield County for more than 40 years. Our reputation as the primary agency for educational resources and support will lead to a stronger, more diversified pool of candidates.
Phase III: Selection
The profile guides the screening of applications for interview. The profile also guides the structure of interview questions. Through the duration of the selection process, the Board of Education plays a central role. The Board makes the decisions regarding candidates and the appointment of a new leader.
Phase IV: Transition
Once a new leader has been appointed, the CES Team will continue to assist the district in the transition of leadership. CES will work with the newly hired executive to develop an entry plan, and will meet with the Board within four months after hiring to assess the status of transition.
Meet The Team
Dr. Charles Dumais
C.E.S. Executive Director
dumaisc@cestrumbull.org
Dr. Charles Dumais joined C.E.S. in 2018. Prior to that, he served as the Superintendent of Amity Regional School District. Dumais, who has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physics, has chaired a science department, served as an assistant principal in Westport, and was Newtown High School’s principal. He co-chairs the Technology Committee of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, serves as a superintendent consultant to the Connecticut Association of Schools Board of Directors, and is an active member of several regional and national organizations, including the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology. He oversees the CES team and the induction/entry plan for all newly hired administrators. He also ensures complete client satisfaction through feedback and evaluation.
David B. Erwin
Consultant
erwin@edadvance.org
David B. Erwin has been working with CES since 2020 and has been superintendent of schools in several Connecticut districts over a 25-year span. He has a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Special Education. He has also served as an assistant superintendent, a middle school assistant principal and principal, and c classroom teacher. He remains actively involved in state and national education organizations, serves as coordinator of the RESC Alliance, and has been an adjunct professor at Sacred Heart University teaching in the Administrative Preparation Program and Superintendent Preparation Program. He is also a trained administrator coach who works with newly hired superintendents.
Christopher LaBelle
Associate Executive Director
labellec@cestrumbull.org
Christopher LaBelle joined CES in 2005. He has nearly 25 years of educational experience, including nine years as an urban elementary school principal in Connecticut. La Belle was the 2009 Magnet Schools of America Northeast Regional Principal of the Year. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served as a military police officer. He holds a degree in Journalism and has worked professionally in public and community relations for one of Connecticut’s largest hospitals. La Belle has an active role in building-level administrative searches and participating in community focus groups for superintendent searches.
"You really listened to our needs and attracted some very strong candidates. We would not have found [our principal] without you. As you know, this hire is critical to our district’s success and you hit a home run in recruiting her."
Deborah Low, Ridgefield Superintendent of Schools
Completed Searches
CES has completed successful searches for superintendents, other central office administrators, and school principals in the following districts (click the names to read more):
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Regional School District #11 and Chaplin Middle/High School Superintendent Andrew Skarzynski/2024 Chaplin, Hampton and Scotland Conn. |
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Old Saybrook Public Schools |
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Plainville Community Schools |
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Hartford Public Schools Chief Academic Officer/2023 Hartford, Conn. |
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West Hartford Public Schools Superintendent Paul Vicinus / May 2023 West Hartford, Conn |
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New Hartford Public Schools |
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Region 12 Public Schools |
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Fairfield Public Schools |
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Wolcott Public Schools |
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Bridgeport Public Schools |
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New Fairfield Public Schools |
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Region 14 Public Schools |
Executive Searches Support Team
Annette Cosme, Executive Assistant to Executive Director, Chip Dumais
Annette Cosme started at CES in 2013 and recently became Charles Dumais executive assistant in 2023. At CES, she provides full administrative support during the search process, from initial communication with the district board of education until a final candidate is selected and formally hired
Alison Karpowich, C.E.S. PR and Marketing Specialist
Alison Karpowich just joined CES in 2023 as the new PR and Marketing Specialist. Karpowich just graduated magna cum laude from Marist College with a degree in Communications concentrating in Public Relations and Journalism and a minor in theater.