Waterbury is notable as the first school district in Connecticut to establish a dress code for all students.
Waterbury Public Schools operates under the leadership of a superintendent and a board of education that consists of 10 elected members and the city mayor.
[3] On July 1, 2018, Dr. Verna D. Ruffin began her first term as superintendent, chosen by the board of education and Mayor Neil O'Leary, due to her experience with urban school districts.
[4] In June and July 2022, the United States Department of Justice began an investigation in the district due to possible mistreatment of special education students, "including seclusion rooms and restraints," according to News 8 WTNH.
[5] On July 8, 2024, Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr. terminated Ruffin's contract against the wishes of the board of education, citing a lack of confidence from staff and parents within the district, poor behavior from students, low test scores, and the fact that Ruffin had never notified him nor the previous mayor of the Department of Justice investigations.