School Districts Hires Replacements For Sandy Hook And Middle Gate Departing Principals

After the Board of Education returned from an executive session on Tuesday, June 8, a vote, the last step in a weeks-long process, named Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung the new principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School and Christopher Geissler the new principal of Middle Gate Elementary School.

The school district announced the two placements on Wednesday. The new principals will begin their new positions July 1.

“Ms Hochsprung comes to us with 12 years of administrative experience,” according to a press release from the Board of Education. “Six of those years were served as assistant principal within the Danbury Public School System; five years at Rogers Park Middle School from 1998 to 2003 and one year at Danbury High School, 2003-2004.”

Ms Hochsprung, who lives in Woodbury, has served as principal in Regional School District #14 along with working in multiple elementary schools. She received her bachelor of science degree in special education from Central Connecticut State University, her master of science degree in special education from Southern Connecticut State University, and her sixth year degree in educational leadership from Southern Connecticut State University.

“Mr Geissler begins his appointment with us with three years of administrative experience,” according to the press release. “He served as assistant principal for three years at Fairfield Woods Middle School from 2007 to 2010 and as an elementary school classroom teacher from 2001 to 2007 at Osborn Hill School and Burr Elementary School, both in Fairfield.”

Mr Geissler, a Sandy Hook resident, earned his bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from Sacred Heart University, his mater of science degree in elementary education from the University of Bridgeport, and his sixth year degree in educational leadership from Sacred Heart University.

Sandy Hook School Principal Donna Pagé will retire at the end of this school year after 14 years in her position, and Middle Gate Principal Judith Liestman will be relocating to be the director of student services in Pittsford, N.Y., after the conclusion of the current school year.