School Board Hires Asst. Principal, Facilities Supervisor

After an extensive search, the Newtown Board of Education has selected a new buildings and grounds supervisor and a new assistant principal for Sandy Hook School.

Barbara E. Gasparine will assume the responsibilities of the position of assistant principal at Sandy Hook Elementary School effective August 15. Gino Faiella will begin his work as buildings and grounds supervisor on June 25.

Ms Gasparine holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in reading from the University of Bridgeport. She also holds a certificate of advanced graduate studies in reading and language arts and has completed the educational leadership program from Southern Connecticut State University.

Prior to 2001, Ms Gasparine worked as a preschool teacher, reading tutor, and language arts consultant in Woodbridge. Since 2001, she has served as the language arts coordinator and lead teacher at the Jerome Harrison School in North Branford. In 2007, she served as the interim principal while the principal search was being conducted.

A site visit to her school by members of the search committee on May 23 found that she is well respected as a leader by parents, teachers and administrators. She possesses excellent knowledge of quality elementary school instructional practice and the ability to implement such programs in an authentic manner. Parents testified to Ms Gasparine’s ability to see all sides of an issue and to be fair and pleasant in all circumstances.

There was a competitive field of 106 applications for this position.

Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff stated, “It is my belief that Barbara is the best match to help the Sandy Hook Elementary School on its path of excellence and continuous improvement.”

Mr Faiella served as the director of facilities and corporate services for the Oxford Health Plans Company from 1995 to 2006, where he was responsible for 13 facilities totaling 1.2 million square feet. For the past year he has served as the property and facilities manager for IKON Office Solutions/General Electric Asset Management.

The school board concluded Mr Faiella possesses the right combination of facilities expertise and management skills in order to be successful in this most demanding position in Newtown. He was instrumental in building Oxford’s infrastructure and developed skills that will benefit the district during our expansion project.

“His references attest to his ability to manage employees fairly and to get the job done no matter what obstacles appear,” Dr Pitkoff explained. “His energy, motivation, knowledge, and work ethic make him the best candidate for the job.”