School Board Set to Hire Principals at Next Meeting

The Board of Education has reached a consensus on the hiring of new principals at three Southington public schools – but the public will have to wait to find out who they are.

Board Chairman Brian Goralski said that after lengthy interviews at the South End School Wednesday night, the board is ready to hire replacements for Principal Beecher LaJoie and Principal Sally Kamerbeek.

Kamerbeek will take the reigns at the from Roberta McAloon, , after both McAloon and LaJoie announced their intent to retire at the start of the budget process in January.

“Our next meeting is sure to be a busy one,” Goralski said. “We can’t discuss the interview process now, but we intend to take a vote (on April 26). The hiring decisions will be released then.”

It has been a busy year for elected officials, who have also recently wrapped up interviews for the principal position at , where long-time Southington resident, employee and former student Angelo Campagnano is set to retire. That position will also be announced at the April 26 meeting.

Goralski could not comment on who was interviewed or whether the candidates selected were already part of the Southington school district.

Goralski said, allowing time for the candidate to tell their employer is important. In district, he said it would give school administration an opportunity to prepare for a change in staffing. Instead of asking them to burn bridges, it gives outside candidates a chance to contact their employer, give appropriate notice and still join the district staff once the current school year ends.