The Board of Education hired a new director of technology at its January 21 virtual meeting.

Dennis Colclough of Oxford was unanimously supported for the position by board members following an executive session interview ahead of the virtual meeting.

Board of Education Vice Chair Dan Delia said, “I’m fully in support of hiring [Colclough].” He added later, “I’m looking forward to finding [how his] expertise will help us serve the children of Newtown in years to come.”

Colclough is set to take the helm of the department effective February 22, per the board’s vote. He has been serving as the director of technology for Groton Public Schools since 2016.

Newtown’s current director of technology, Carmella Amodeo, is transitioning to a new role as digital application support specialist.

In an e-mail following the board’s vote, Amodeo wrote, “It has been several years since a position has been added to the department. Over those years we have grown in the number and types of technologies in use. So, needless to say, our days are full.

“This year brought a growth in the adoption and use of educational applications and resources to support instruction and learning. With that growth also came a need for support and hence the proposal of the Digital Application Support Specialist position,” Amodeo continued. “Administration and the board all agreed and the position was approved.”

Later she said, “The world has changed in so many ways over the past year. COVID put everything in a new light. The director position is very demanding and time consuming. I saw this new position as an opportunity to slow down but still support the district. I believe this transition will be good for the district as well as me and my family.”

Amodeo will continue to support the district with her knowledge of the technology and operations, and she will serve as a resource for Colclough.

Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue said during the January 21 meeting that Colclough “rose to the top” during the interview process because of his “passion, his energy, and his knowledge.”

Colclough observed that the interview process gave him an opportunity to understand Newtown’s “core foundation.”

“I’m just really excited about the opportunity,” Colclough told the board members and district administrators. “I enjoyed the process that you all put together for this role. I thought it was well thought out and well executed in this weird time that we are in.”

Board of Education Chair Michelle Embree Ku congratulated Colclough following the board’s vote.

“We are very pleased to have you with us,” said Ku.

“It was a pleasure getting to know you, and I look forward to getting to know you all more,” Colclough concluded.