Branford Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez has been appointed to new state education commission, Sen. Ted Kennedy, Jr., (D, District 12) announced in a press release issued on Oct. 30.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to participate in shaping the future of public education in the state of Connecticut,” said Hernandez.

Hernandez will serve on the Planning Commission for Education, which is tasked with developing a strategic plan to map out Connecticut’s education future.

“Hamlet has served Branford schools for many years, and I look forward to having him extend his expertise to the rest of Connecticut,” said Kennedy. “Connecticut has a great public education system, and it is vitally important that we maintain it in order to ensure our students remain competitive in the increasingly complex and globalized job market. I was proud to recommend Hamlet Hernandez for this position, and look forward to continuing to work with him on both local and statewide education issues.”

The commission was created this year by the General Assembly in response to a need to identify and tackle educational issues using a strategic plan. The issues at hand include identifying important outcomes for public education and strategies to achieve those outcomes; better preparing graduates for challenges of work, citizenship, and life; opening effective lines of communication between schools and families of students; and infusing public schools with best practices to ensure high quality instruction while continuously improving school systems.

Hernandez joined Branford Public Schools as superintendent in 2010, arriving from his post as Hamden assistant superintendent. Hernandez also served as a principal and teacher with Hamden public schools.

Planning Commission for Education appointees include superintendents, educators, early childhood and adult education specialists, business leaders, parents, and civil rights and special education specialists from across the state.