As part of an ongoing organizational review and restructuring, and in the course of addressing six vacancies in administration positions that occurred over the late spring and summer months, the Greenwich Public Schools offers the following summary of administrative changes effective for the 2018-2019 school year. Each of these appointments provide opportunities for Greenwich Public Schools staff to grow and expand their leadership skills and experience. These changes operate within Board of Education/Board of Estimate and Taxation/Representative Town Meeting approved budgetary and staffing allocations for the 2018-2019 school year.
CABINET ADMINISTRATION
Interim Superintendent of Schools Ralph Mayo
The Board of Education unanimously appointed Mayo as Interim Superintendent on June 21, effective in July, after Superintendent Jill Gildea’s departure. Gildea announced her acceptance of the Park City Public Schools top leadership position in Utah in May. A Greenwich High School graduate, Mayo has dedicated his entire career in education to the Greenwich Public Schools, and is uniquely positioned to lead the District through this period of transition.
The following title changes have been made to members of the Superintendent’s Cabinet in order to create consistency and to align with State Department of Education’s leadership titles.
Chief Academic Officer Irene Parisi (formerly “Assistant Superintendent”)
Chief Pupil Personnel Services Officer Mary Forde (formerly “Director”)
Chief Human Resources Officer Bob Stacy (formerly “Director”)
Chief Information Officer (CIO) Phillip Dunn has resigned from his position with the District. Dunn expressed gratitude toward “the students and families of Greenwich for the opportunity to move their public system forward.” Interim Superintendent of Schools Ralph Mayo said, “ We thank Mr. Dunn for his service and positive contributions to the District in his role as CIO, and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”
With Dunn’s resignation and as part of the District’s ongoing administrative restructuring and transition plans, the position of Chief Information Officer has been eliminated. The roles and responsibilities of the CIO position have been reassigned as follows:
Director of Educational Technology Michael Ting will report to the Deputy Superintendent and assume responsibility for technology infrastructure and hardware.
Media/Technology Program Coordinator Robert Hibson will report to the Chief Academic Officer and will assume responsibility for educational software and data privacy.
Research Manager Jennifer Lau will report to the Deputy Superintendent and will assume the responsibility for the comprehensive assessment system and information services.
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Interim Greenwich High School (GHS) Headmaster Richard (Rick) Piotrzkowski
Piotrzkowski was appointed Interim Headmaster on August 10, after Headmaster Chris Winters’ announced he had accepted the position as Head of School for Greenwich Country Day Upper School. As Assistant Headmaster for the last fourteen years, Science program administrator for five years and chemistry teacher for fourteen years at GHS, Piotrzkowski is the ideal candidate to lead the high school during this transition. He has a deep understanding of the climate, culture, operations and strategic direction of the high school, ensuring continued implementation of the school improvement plan.
Interim Greenwich High School (GHS) Assistant Headmaster [Appointment Pending]
The process for selecting an Interim Assistant Headmaster is underway.
Interim Eastern Middle School Principal Jason Goldstein
Goldstein was appointed Interim Principal in early July filling the vacancy left as EMS Principal Ralph Mayo assumed the Interim Superintendent position. Mr. Goldstein has been with the Greenwich Public Schools for eighteen years, the last years as Greenwich High School’s Cantor House Administrator.
Interim Cantor House Administrator Christina Shaw
Shaw was appointed Interim House Administrator in July filling the open position left by Goldstein as he assumed his Interim position at EMS. Ms. Shaw has been with the GPS for almost two decades at Greenwich High School holding several leadership roles in addition to her teaching responsibilities.
Central Middle School Assistant Principal Lindsey Pontieri
Announced in May 2018, Pontieri assumed the role of CMS Assistant Principal this summer after completing the school year at Western Middle School (WMS). Pontieri began her career as an educator with the GPS in 2007 as a special education teacher.
Glenville School Assistant Principal Barbara Oxer
Transferring from Cos Cob School (CCS), Oxer has been with the GPS since 2002, after more than twenty years working in the private sector. She served as CCS Assistant Principal for the last five years.
North Street School Assistant Principal Kathleen Ramirez
Transferring from Glenville School, Ramirez has worked in the roles of elementary teacher, instructional coach and Assistant Principal since joining the GPS in 2006. [more information]
Cos Cob School Assistant Principal Michael Reid
Transferring from North Street School after one year as Assistant Principal, Reid has been with the GPS since 2006. Reid served as an elementary teacher and instructional coach for almost ten years before becoming an Assistant Principal.
Old Greenwich School Assistant Principal (AP) Caitlin Keane
Formerly a learning facilitator and math teacher, Keane was appointed to this position after former AP Abby Ostruzka accepted a position with the Clinton Public Schools. Keane has been teaching with the Greenwich Public Schools at Central Middle School since 2007, and has also served as a department and grade-level leader.
PROGRAM & DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION
Languages Program Coordinator Adriane Hirsch-Klein
Hirsch-Klein has assumed the responsibilities for the English Language Learning and World Languages programs. The District AVID program responsibility has been reassigned 6-12 Guidance Program Coordinator Judith Nedell. The World Languages Program Coordinator formerly held by Viviana Conner, position has been eliminated. Ms. Conner accepted a position with the Hartford Public Schools.
Assistant Director of Human Resources for Certified Staff Shamain Johnson
Announced in March 2018, Johnson joined the Human Resources Department this summer after completing the school year at Central Middle School in her former role as Assistant Principal. An educator for twenty years, Johnson has been with the GPS since 2014.
Interim Windrose Program Administrator Diane Chiapetta-Fox
Diane Chiapetta-Fox will assume the Windrose program leader position for the interim, vacant due to Brian Keating’s acceptance of a position with the Fairfield Public Schools. Fox has been with the GPS at GHS for twenty-three years, most recently as Assistant Dean of Student Life for Cantor House, and formerly as Director of Student Activities and as a speech and language pathologist, each for eleven years.
Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services Carleen Wood
The position of Assistant Director/Pupil Personnel Services has not been assigned since the retirement of Sharon Turshen in 2016. Given Wood’s experience and seniority within the department, her coordinator position has been renamed to reflect her role within the PPS administrative structure.
Physical Education/Health/Family Consumer Science Program Coordinator [Pending Appointment]
Currently in the recruitment and interview process, this new position has been established for the 2018-2019 school year and is offset by elimination of World Languages Program Coordinator position.
