per capita income for the town was $24,953. About 2.9% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over. Schools Ledyard has three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. The Superintendent of Schools is Jason Hartling. The Assistant Superintendent of Schools is Dr. Jennifer Byars, who previously served as Principal and Assistant Principal of many of the town's schools. The Superintendent is appointed by the Board of Education. Elementary schools: Gales Ferry School (Grades K through 2) Gallup Hill School (Grades K through 5) Juliet W. Long School (Grades 3 through 5) Middle school: Ledyard Middle School (Grades 6, 7 & 8) High school: Ledyard High School (Grades 9 through 12) Former schools: Ledyard Center School (Closed in 2019) Government and emergency services The Town of Ledyard is governed by the Mayor-Council form of government. The mayor is elected by registered voters and serves as the Town's Full-time Administrator and Chief Executive; elected mayors serve for a term of 4 years and there are no term-limits. The mayor, with advice from the town council and voters appoints officials to positions such as: Town Clerk, Town Attorney, Director of Finance, Director of Public Works, and many of the other administrative positions. The Town Council has the power to appoint officials to Boards and Commissions, as Fire Marshals and Town Clerks. Registered Voters also elect the members of the Board of Education. Police The Town of Ledyard operates an independent police force, administered by Chief of Police John Rich. The town previously had provided Police Services through the Resident State Trooper Program. The department employs 22 highly trained personnel including the chief, an administrative assistant, and one detective. The Town of Ledyard Police Department is also tasked with operating the Ledyard Animal Control Division and the Ledyard Emergency Communications Center. The LECC has 7 full time 911 Dispatchers and provides 911 service to both the Town of Ledyard and the Town of Preston. Fire & EMS Service There are two fire departments in the Town of Ledyard. They are the Ledyard Fire Company and the Gales Ferry Fire Company. Both departments rely on volunteers for staffing, along with paid firefighters that staff both departments Monday thru Friday. EMS service is the responsibility of American Ambulance Service, Inc. American Ambulance took over