Two Norwalk Assistant Principals Take Stamford Jobs

Two Norwalk assistant principals are taking the top jobs at Stamford elementary schools. Michael Pisseri is leaving Ponus Ridge Middle School at the end of the school year to become principal at Davenport Ridge Elementary School. His colleague Mark Bonasera, an assistant principal at West Rocks for the past two years, was named principal at Julia A. Stark Elementary School on May 24.
"The fact that Mike Pisseri and Mark Bonasera are becoming principals in Stamford speaks for the caliber of our administrators in Norwalk," said Superintendent Susan Marks in an email. "I know that Mike and Mark will be strong principals who will do the best on behalf of their new school communities."

According to an article in the Stamford Advocate, Bonasera and Pisseri were picked from a candidate pool of 57 people, including 14 internal and 43 external applicants. Neither Pisseri nor Bonasera could be reached for comment.

In addition to Pisseri and Bonasera, several other administrator positions will be open at the end of school year. Marie Allen, the other assistant principal at Ponus, will vacate her position at the end of the school year and become principal of Briggs High School. Two Norwalk High Housemaster positions will be open — Gwendolyn Young is retiring and one position has been vacant since Kevin Walston left earlier this school year to become principal of Harding High in Bridgeport.

In the elementary schools, Columbus' longtime Assistant Principal Herman Davenport is retiring, and Marvin has had an interim assistant principal since Kristen DiPalma left in December. 

As a result of this year's tight budget, Ponus' and West Rocks' second assistant principal jobs, as well as housemasters and elementary principals, have been considered for elimination. As of yet, no decision has been made by the Board of Education on the future of these positions.

Norwalk School Human Resource Director Fay Ruotolo said that despite the uncertainty about the positions, they have been advertised. "We have posted these positions now to attract the strongest candidates. Although we may not be able to fund every position, when the board does reconcile the budget, we will be prepared with a slate of candidates to interview for the positions that survive."