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09/24/2019 01:30 PMAfter four years as the principal of Ridge Road Elementary School, Patrick Stirk moved from his post to take over as superintendent of North Haven Schools on March 4. The move left an opening at Ridge Road Elementary School and Stirk made several in-district changes as well as one new hire on the administrative level to fill all of the principal and vice principal roles at each of the schools.
“As the superintendent, I’m looking for good fits and since I was new to the job, I was taking a look at our staff with a fresh eye,” said Stirk. “We have a great, seasoned administrative staff and I’m trying to put them in the best places.”
Christopher McLaughlin took Stirk’s place as principal of Ridge Road Elementary School; McLaughlin comes from an assistant principal position at North Haven High School. Phil Piazza, who spent 12 years as principal of North Haven Middle School, moved to Green Acres Elementary School, trading places with Laurie Bankowski, a four-year principal at Green Acres, who moved to the middle school.
The changes were announced soon after Stirk took on his role as superintendent and the administrators shifted into their new roles as of July 1. Stirk and the administrative team have worked closely together over the years through administrative council meetings and administrative meetings for each level of school—elementary, middle, and high school.
“All of the administrators have a great relationship with each other,” said Stirk. “A good administrator is a good administrator, regardless of where they are leading. The ages of the students change, but they can apply their skills regardless.”
The shuffling left an opening for an assistant principal at North Haven High School. Patrick Lawrence was hired to fill the position. He comes to the district from New Haven Schools, where he was the art educator and lead teacher for the arts department at Wilbur Cross High School.
During the summer, Stirk received word that the director of student services had resigned. The position was filled by Jen Stewart, who will serve as the interim director of student services for the 2019-’20 school year. Stewart was formerly the district’s special education coordinator for grades 6 to 12.
In addition to administrative changes, Stirk and the district also welcomed several new teachers hired to fill openings left from retirements and resignations. He noted that everyone has settled into their roles in the opening month of school.
“They’re doing a great job, getting to know students, teacher, parents, and the communities and they’re very happy where they are,” said Stirk. “Now in my fifth year in North Haven, I have a pretty decent handle on the community. It’s a place that’s collaborative with the Board of Ed and the town with both really supporting education here in town.”