Schools

Principals Chosen For Ridgebury, Veterans Park Elementary Schools

With Julie Droller and Liz Smith leaving the district, two principals have been chosen to take the helm next year.

As two principals leave the Ridgefield School District this year, two more have been chosen to take their places.

Lisa Singer will be the new principal of Veterans Park, taking the place of Julie Droller who is headed to Westport in the fall, and Jamie Palladino will be the new principal of Ridgebury Elementary School as current principal Liz Smith retires.

Of both candidates, School Superintendent Deborah Low cited their “knowledge, skills, background and experience” as they were chosen from over 50 candidates for the respective positions Monday night.

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Singer, who comes from an assistant principal position in the New Canaan district, has also been a math coordinator in Westport and worked at the Family Center of the Hong Kong International School in Hong Kong.

Singer comes highly recommended by her previous coworkers, who mention her visibility, friendliness and discipline, as well as her skills in data collection and professional development.

Find out what's happening in Ridgefieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Parents and teachers who visited Singer’s school in New Canaan, East Elementary School, said she employs an open-door policy and “puts parents at ease and works to resolve issues quickly.”

“I’m thrilled,” Singer said. “I’m looking forward to meeting with Julie Droller and making it a smooth transition.”

Jamie Palladino, a Ridgefielder, is set to take the helm at Ridgebury Elementary.

Palladino comes from a principal position in Stratford at Second Hill Elementary School with a student body of 720. He has also worked in Darien, as well as schools in New York and Massachusetts.

Also praised by his former coworkers, Palladino is described as seeing the “big picture” and having a personable and energetic manner. He was involved in “significant improvements” to Second Hill Elementary, and Ridgefield teachers and parents confirmed his ability to “put in 100 percent.”

“I’m excited to be a part of the Ridgefield team,” Palladino said. “It’s one of the finest districts around, and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”


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