Southbridge schools' receiver Jeffrey Villar resigns effective April

The state-appointed receiver for Southbridge Public Schools, Jeffrey Villar, has announced his resignation. He will leave the position on April 30. Villar has served as receiver since 2018, after the district was taken over by the state due to ongoing issues with performance. In his resignation announcement, Villar expressed mixed emotions and stated that he plans to return to Connecticut for a new job. He has been credited by some in the Southbridge education community for bringing stability to a district that struggled with high turnover among superintendents before his arrival. Jacob Bond, a fourth-grade teacher and member of the Southbridge Education Association, praised Villar’s efforts to improve the district. He noted that Villar worked to address issues in the schools and fostered collaboration with teachers. However, Villar's tenure has faced criticism from some local leaders. They feel that progress toward exiting state receivership has not been quick enough. Town Council Chair Scott Lazo expressed serious concerns about Villar’s leadership earlier this year. Despite the criticisms, a state report last year highlighted improvements in Southbridge, including better support for special education and English language learners. Villar believes the district is on the right path and has seen positive growth during his time there. Villar is set to become the first superintendent of Regional School District 20 in Connecticut. He stated that his decision to leave was not influenced by local criticism. Bill Metzger, the School Department's executive director of finance and human resources, will step in as interim receiver until a full-time replacement is appointed.