The Board of Education on Thursday, Apr. 9 received an update on the search for a new principal at Wilton High School, and learned that they will hear an announcement about a new assistant principal at Miller-Driscoll School following spring break next week.
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and General Administration Maria Coleman told board members that the process to find a new assistant principal for Miller-Driscoll was a competitive one that included 82 applicants.
“It was a four-round process. The announcement will be coming soon,” Coleman said. “You can expect that after break, and we’re very excited about that.”
Discussion then turned to the update about the search for a new Wilton High School principal. Dr. Bob O’Donnell announced in March that he will retire at the end of this school year, effective Jun. 30, 2026, following 15 years as principal and seven years as associate principal.
“And because it is a principalship, we treat that search, obviously, with the same level of depth, but we add a few additional layers,” Coleman said.
The district has planned surveys and focus groups for staff, parents and students over the coming weeks to gather information, and will provide the board with an update later in the school year, Coleman added.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Peggy Meurer, the president of the Wilton Education Association, the teacher’s union, spoke highly of O’Donnell, describing his tenure as one built on “care, trust and unwavering faith in his whole community.”
“It’s easy to list his accomplishments, years of service or life’s journey to you, but what truly defines great leadership can’t always be measured on paper,” Meurer said. “It’s found in everyday moments, the conversations, the decisions and the relationships built over time. Bob led with an open door and an open mind. For teachers, that door wasn’t just symbolic.”
Meurer said teachers’ concerns weren’t dismissed, but were heard and taken seriously.
“Whether it was a challenge in the classroom, a new idea or a difficult situation, there was always a willingness to listen, and more importantly, to act.” she added. “This kind of leadership creates trust, and trust is what turns a group of individuals into a true community.”
Meurer said she and O’Donnell collaborated on topics ranging from block schedules to safety protocols during the pandemic.
“Bob and I have not always agreed, surprisingly, but he always listened with a cooperative and compromising spirit,” she said. “And for that, I am eternally grateful.”
Regarding hiring in general, Coleman said the recruitment season kicked off on Mar. 24 when district representatives attended the UConn Neag School of Education Career Fair, interviewing 26 candidates for a variety of open positions.
Coleman said the vacancies the district is currently hiring for are in elementary, art, health, science, special education, English and some partial vacancies in American Sign Language and German. Three positions that have already been filled — math interventionist as well as a math and kindergarten teacher — were done so with internal candidates, she said.
“So, again, I think it just shows the depth of our internal pool and the fact that when we hire people as interim candidates for one-year positions, we really like to hold on to them when they have proven themselves to be really worthy of those roles,” Coleman said.
In response to questions from the board, Coleman said they do get interest from Wilton High School graduates.
“One is seeking a secondary social studies position, and one is seeking an elementary position. And we brought them in and interviewed them right away and tried to keep them away from the other school districts,” she said, “but we didn’t have to twist their arms on that because they know what a wonderful place this is, and they are very excited to pursue opportunities here.”