Judge to Brigeport superintendent: Vacate job now

A superior court judge ruled Wednesday that the superintendent of Connecticut’s largest public school system must vacate his job immediately.

Brigeport Superintendent Paul Vallas had been hoping he could remain on the job while the city appealed an earlier ruling by the same judge that found he does not qualify for the job.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and State Education Commissioner earlier Wednesday both said they think Vallas should be able to keep his job and that he is more than qualified with his 17 years of experience running the public school districts in Chicago, Philadelphia and New Orleans.

But Judge Barbara Bellis feels differently, citing state law that requires he complete an “educational leadership program.”