Diana Stricker Photo
Branford’s Board of Education (BOE) said goodbye to its assistant superintendent Wednesday night, extended the contract of the superintendent, and hired a new principal for Sliney Elementary School.
Dr. Mary Peraro (pictured above), who is retiring after 39 years in education, is leaving her position as assistant superintendent but she isn’t leaving the Branford education scene. At least for awhile. Peraro told the Eagle she agreed to serve as a part-time consultant through December to help the district ease through the transition.
“I love what I do,” Peraro told the Eagle. “We have a great administration team, and we enjoy working with each other. And I love working with the teachers.”
When asked by the board if she had any words of advice, she said, “Remember, kids are first.”
Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez and BOE chair Michael Krause presented Peraro with a retirement chair, a bouquet of flowers and a plaque.
“Mary will be tremendously missed,” Hernandez said. He thanked her for her “wealth of knowledge and the way you have mentored us.”
Krause said Peraro worked diligently to improve education. He read the inscription on the plaque, which acknowledged her “strong personal commitment to improving education for all students.”
Peraro has been with the district since 2006 and worked alongside Hernandez since he was appointed superintendent five years ago.
Krause told the Eagle that the board will not be filling the assistant superintendent position. He said Peraro’s duties will be divided between Hernandez and Dr. Anthony Buono, who has served as associate superintendent for two years.
Another Year and a Pay Raise
Diana Stricker Photo
Following a 40-minute executive session Wednesday, the board voted unanimously to extend Hernandez’ contract another year. That means his contract will run through the 2017 – 18 school year.
Following the meeting, Krause told the Eagle that Hernandez will receive a 2.75 percent pay raise for the 2015 – 16 school year.
Hernandez is currently earning $183,500 a year, so the increase will add $5,046 to his salary for the coming year.
“We have been very impressed with what our superintendent has done for the district,” Krause told the Eagle. He said Hernandez has fostered a collaborative spirit among administrators, teachers and board members.
New Principal
File Photo
The BOE voted unanimously to hire Margaret-Mary Gethings (pictured) as the new principal for Sliney Elementary School. She will replace Dr. Susan Iwanicki, who is taking a position in another district. The board welcomed Gethings to Branford.
Gethings has 22 years experience in education, and has been serving as the principal at Fair Haven Middle School, a K‑8 school in New Haven. She has a Masters Degree in Special Education and a 6th year degree from Southern Connecticut State University.
Click here to read a story about her in the New Haven Independent.
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