Our History
BRIEF HISTORY OF CFSA
The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) completed its Constitution during the 1976 calendar year.
In 1977, The Connecticut Federation of School Administrators (CFSA) was one of the first member states to join AFSA and received its charter from AFSA on October 14, 1978.
At the time, CFSA had only 35 members.
Mr. John Marriott of Wallingford started CFSA in 1976. He served as President for three years. Other officers included Vice-President James Carey of New Britain and Secretary/Treasurer Roch Girard of East Hartford.
In 1979, Mr. David Mulholland of Hartford was elected President along with his Executive Board consisting of Vice-President Earl Smith of Newtown and Roch Girard re-elected as Secretary/Treasurer.
Under their leadership, CFSA more than doubled in size with the larger urban centers, Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven, and Waterbury, joining. Local 48 in Shelton became the core for 17 smaller satellite locals, and East Hartford, Local 42, became the core for 10 satellite locals. These three individuals led CFSA continually until the elections in 1994 when Mr. Glen Mudre of Local 46 in Bridgeport was elected Vice-President.
In 1997, Mr. David Mulholland, after serving 17 years as President, chose to step down as President of CFSA. In the 1997 election, Mr. Roch J. Girard was elected President, Mr. Paul Rebot, from Middletown, was elected Vice-President, Dr. Terry Dworkin, from Bridgeport, was elected Secretary, and Mr. Baxter Atkinson, from Hartford, was elected Treasurer. At this time, CFSA had 1,100 members and represented 65% of the state administrators and supervisors.
July 2003, Mr. Atkinson was elected National President of AFSA. Dr. James Thompson was appointed Treasurer of CFSA to complete Mr. Atkinson’s term.
March 2007, at the GEB meeting, Mr. Michael Yamin from Waterbury was appointed CFSA Secretary and Dr. Jane Pertillar from Hartford was appointed CFSA Treasurer.
October 2007, VP Paul Rebot presented to the membership the results of the “Vision Committee” who ascertained the future needs of CFSA and created a model to address those needs. In May 2008, the report recommendations were approved and implemented effective July 1, 2008.
May 2009, Roch Girard and Paul Rebot stepped down as Officers and Gary Maynard was elected President and Paul Stringer was elected Vice-President.
In May 2021, Frances DiFiore and Dr. Anthony Salvatore became Co-Presidents of CFSA and Laura Rodriguez was re-elected CFSA Secretary/Treasurer.
In July 2024, Patricia Phelan became Co-President of CFSA and Frances DiFiore and Laura Rodriguez continue in their roles as Co-President and Secretary/Treasurer.
In 2026, CFSA is the only professional labor union for school administrators in the state representing 79 districts and over 1,100 members. Throughout this 50-year history, the primary commitment has been to improve the professional lives of school administrators.
CFSA is a 501(c)(5) nonprofit organization.
Affiliated Unions
Our union is an affiliate of the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA), the exclusive national labor union for school administrators, professionals, and supervisors speaking out for excellence and equity in all of our schools, workplaces and communities.
AFSA members are leaders in their schools and communities and are charged with the privilege and responsibility of helping to mold our nation’s students into successful, mindful individuals.
As school leaders, AFSA members are constantly advocating for better public schools and systems of education. In regards to education reform, AFSA members support reforms that put students first and include school administrators in the discussion and implementation.
As a union affiliated with the AFL-CIO, AFSA members recognize the importance of collective bargaining rights and their right to organize. AFSA members are active in the labor movement and proudly stand in solidarity with all trade unionists and school administrators.