[Update] Veterans Park Principal Julie Droller Accepts Position In Westport, A 'Bittersweet' Moment

Update, 4:45 p.m.

Veterans Park Elementary Principal Julie Droller calls the moment bittersweet, having accepted a principal position in Westport for next year.

"Westport is a similar district," Droller said. "It has a great level of support, and I'll be able to grow there in a bigger school, going further with the instructional leadership and utilizing my skills more."

"I'm proud," she said, "but I'm going to miss Ridgefield."

"My staff (at VP), the children and the parents -- they're all great people," Droller said. "Last night, I knew I was moving forward, and we all cried."

"It's bittersweet," Droller said. "I'm excited, but it's a little sad to leave."

Original story

Principal Julie Droller of Veterans Park Elementary School accepted a position last night as principal of Saugatuck Elementary School in Westport -- she will begin there July 1.

Droller will leave "a great legacy" and "a positive and unique reputation" with the school as she heads to Westport for the next school year, according to school superintendent Deborah Low.

"Mrs. Droller's strong instructional skills have benefited students and staff not only at VP but also across the district in the areas of literacy and kindergarten program development," Low stated in a press release.

"We don't want her to go," Low said in her office Tuesday afternoon, "but we congratulate her, for heaven's sake."

"Who wouldn't take her?" she said.

For the first time ever,  will have a different principal. Her predecessor, Robert Buckley  as the first principal when Saugatuck Elementary opened in 2002.

“I’m looking forward to a rewarding career in Westport,” Droller said at Westport's Board of Education meeting, during which she was hired unanimously.

Don O’Day, chairman of the board, said he was impressed with Droller when he first talked to her.

“I think Julie’s extensive resume and very clear commitment to the children was just easily demonstrated,” he said. “It was an effortless conversation.”

Droller began her education career in Ridgefield, where she worked as a teacher for six years. After that, she spent two years in Darien as a language arts teacher. Her current position is principal of Ridgefield’s Veteran’s Park Elementary, where she's worked for five years.

She received her undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Albany, a masters in teaching from Sacred Heart University and certification from the University of Connecticut.

Elliott Landon said the search was exhaustive, with ads placed in various media, such as the New York Times. Numerous administrators at the university level were also considered.

Eventually, the search was narrowed down to a half-dozen candidates. A committee, which included Saugatuck teachers, members of the PTA and school administrators, selected Droller unanimously, according to Landon.

“We always look for principals who have an abiding interest in professional growth and learning and advocacy … and Julie has evidenced that in previous years,” said Landon.

Buckley, who will be officially retired on June 30, was the King's Highway Elementary principal before his almost decade-long stint at Saugatuck. His retirement caps a career as an educator spanning 39 years.

The Ridgefield administration will soon determine the process to replace Droller, according to Low's statement.

"Mrs. Droller's leaving will be an enormous loss to the district," Low stated. "We congratulate her and wish her well in Westport."

"She will be missed here."